Collect for the Epiphany
Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son,
anointing him with the Holy Spirit: Grant to us, who are born of water and the Spirit, that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Genesis 1: 1-5
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
Luke 1: 68-79
John 8: 1-12
Darkness isn’t actually something in itself. It is the absence of something – the absence of light. Which is why, as God’s first act of creation, He commands light to be. Without a light source, nothing can be seen. God’s light shines so that the beauty of creation can be seen. Without light, there is nothing.
However our eyes aren’t equipped to look at light directly, it’s just too bright. What we actually see is reflected light, light that shines from a source – in daylight, the sun – reflected by the people or place we are looking at.
That principle allows us to take photographs. In daylight, the sunlight hits a subject and its image is reflected back into the camera. If there’s no sun (like County Kerry since October!) the light comes from a flashbulb. Imagine, then, that people are like cameras. When they look at us, what they see is God’s light reflected in us. Through us, His light shines into the world, destroying the darkness. If we let it. For we do have a choice not to. God gives us the freedom to reflect it or smother it.
So the question we ask of ourselves is this. When the world looks at us, sees our actions, our life, do we reflect the light of Christ, and further His Kingdom? Or do we deepen the darkness?
Previous Posts
Praying Together 17th November 2024
However we understand it, it is the Spirit-led recognition of His presence at the heart of our Eucharist that changes our lives and sets us free to be His Body on earth.
Praying Together 10th November 2024
Nowadays, my act of Remembrance is in working for a future for children, grandchildren and generations of every race and nation to come
Praying Together 3rd November 2024
This week, there is so much needing our prayer that words are not enough. We need to take our issues of concern to a much deeper level.
Praying Together 20th October 2024
God of all peace, have mercy on our broken and divided world, and on your people who cry out to you for healing, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Praying Together 13th October 2024
If the love of our worldly possessions prevents us from loving Him first, we’re stuck on earth.
The rich young man has a decision to make. So do we.
Praying together 29th September 2024
His truth is simple – it is Love. Love of God and Love of neighbour.
Praying Together 22nd September 2024
Who’s the GOAT?
That question is guaranteed to provoke endless argument, the claimed candidate being dependent on personal allegiances, age, culture and experience.
Praying Together 15th September 2024
Jesus makes it very clear that following him appears costly – if you measure it in human terms.
Praying Together 8th September 2024
And this is the time of the year when many young people are stepping out into a new chapter of life – first day at school or college, perhaps a first job – and as parents, we try to disguise our feelings of concern as we realise that we have to trust them to the Lord and let go.
Praying Together 25th August 2024
Violence achieves nothing towards bringing in the Kingdom of God. All it does is engender more violence.
Praying Together 18th August 2024
No ifs or buts. We are all one. Whoever, wherever. One family in Christ, even those who are not of the sheepfold.
Praying Together 11th August 2024
Trinity 11 Collect O God, you demonstrate your almighty power most clearly in showing mercy and pity: Mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace, that we, seeking to obey your commandments, may receive your gracious promises, and be allowed to share your...