Epiphany-tide 2004 Letter
Saint John's Church

Epiphany-tide 2004

Dear Members and Friends,

In the Church we call the period of time we are in 'Epiphany', which means 'showing forth' or 'manifestation'. The Gospel readings from the Bible at Mass are all variations on how Jesus of Nazareth came to be shown and perceived as "the one" that God would use to reveal himself, and to reconcile mankind to himself. On the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, the readings will culminate in the story of the Transfiguration. In this story from Saint Luke, God removes any doubt for the reader about whom Jesus is and is to be for us: "This is my Son, my Chosen. Listen to him".

The holy season of Lent, which follows Epiphany, is a long reflection on just this: who Jesus is and what it means to listen to him. We spend the time of Lent in repentance and penitence for our failure to live out what we believe about God, and our failure to explore more deeply what a life lived with God really is. "Repentance" is turning away from what takes us from God, and turning toward what will bring us more deeply into love with him. This means actively rediscovering, restoring, and re-inventing our right relationship with God, while listening to Jesus. "Penitence" is actions which make strong token of restitution for the time, talent, and witness we have wasted.

Lent is not about being sad and beating ourselves up spiritually for our failures. Sorrow at our failures to live our understanding of God and Jesus is a natural by-product of being confronted with the truth about God and ourselves, but it is not the object of either repentance or penitence. The object of both is simple: to know God truly, to deeply join our conscious selves to him, and to live our life in joyful union with him, thus mirroring to the world his native image in us.

I invite you to reflect upon the 'epiphanies' in the readings which led our ancestors in faith to see God in Jesus, and I invite you to anticipate Lent by musing over what it means for you to "listen to him" in your life. I promise you, you will then come to Ash Wednesday more prepared to understand and to participate in a Holy Lent. Perhaps you would want to begin it on Shrove Tuesday with a proper confession, maybe for the first time. If so, speak to the me or to any priest about this. In any event, may God made manifest in Jesus bless you with wisdom and true understanding in a life filled with joy both now and always.

Yours faithfully in Christ Jesus,

(The Rev'd) Jesse L. A. Parker
Rector of Saint John's Church, Huntingdon,
Waverly, Baltimore