EVERYDAY APOCALYPSE: an epiphany overview
Epiphany 1C begins January 6 2019
This week’s episode photo is from Photo by Nowshad Arefin on Unsplash
As we get ready to jump into Epiphany, we look at the key themes of the season and grab onto an idea that helps us frame our conversations around the season.
Of the many themes that arise in the lectionary texts for this year in the lectionary, the epiphany theme of “revealing” and of “unveiling” emerge. That which is being revealed is the light of God in Jesus of Nazareth. With each week, a new story unveils a previously unseen aspect of God-with-us.
For Craig, this is one of the most “missional” seasons in the church year. Not only is Luke, as well as the other texts, announcing the good news of God’s reign and realm, there is also a new community emerging. God is creating around Jesus a new people. People who would have been excluded otherwise, are find in Jesus, God’s radically welcoming hospitality.
But as this is being discovered, it is unexpected. It is being revealed. Cody picks up the term “apocalypse” or literally, the unveiling. Every day with Jesus in Luke’s gospel, an opportunity arises to be surprised by how the light of God shows up.
We also talk about our opening clip
We’ve got a great deal of respect for John Steinbeck. We talk about our intro clip from the Grapes of Wrath. Linking the writing of Steinbeck to the story line of the Gospel of Luke. Luke picks up themes of welcoming outsiders, the marginalized. There is a derisive perspective toward wealth and privilege in the gospel, and a prophetic preferential treat of the poor. Luke is filled with Tom Joad and his people.
Epiphany resources
The Gaelic and Celtic tradition of “chalking”: Chalking and Blessing of houses http://www.crivoice.org/cyepiph.html +c+m+b Christus mansionem benedicat
How to redesign cities to fight loneliness https://www.fastcompany.com/90276423/how-to-redesign-cities-to-fight-loneliness Chronic Loneliness and Urban planning
Studying Luke:
The gospel of Luke and Social Justice, by Angelo Lopez
https://angelolopez.wordpress.com/2015/01/06/the-gospel-of-luke-and-social-justice/
“In doing some research, I find that Luke is often referred to as the social justice gospel. Deacon Paul Carlson wrote an article titled Luke, the Gospel of Social Justice. He stated: “No other NT writer except the author of the Epistle of James emphasizes the social justice aspect of Christian living to the depth that Luke does. He preserves the many sayings of Jesus warning that those with material possessions have a responsibility to the poor and disadvantaged. He attacks the racism and discrimination against the untouchables that existed.”
To release the oppressed, by John Coffey
“While the New Testament extends and deepens Old Testament teaching, it does not exchange a social message for a spiritual one. God’s ‘passionate priorities’ – his hatred of social and political oppression, corruption, callousness and bloodshed – are inscribed throughout the Law, the Prophets, the Psalms and the Wisdom Literature, and they are not forgotten in the New Testament”
Articles
Oscar-Nominated Film Tells True Story of Muslims Protecting Christians
A film based on the true story of how a group of Muslims in Kenya stood between Christians and the guns of Islamic terrorists has been nominated for an Oscar. In December 2015, just before Christmas, a bus with 100 people was traveling near the border with Somalia and Ethiopia. The route is known to be dangerous, and buses usually have a police escort, but the escort vehicle broke down, and the bus was traveling alone. It was ambushed by Al-Shabaab terrorists, who told the Muslim and Christian passengers to separate themselves so they could kill the Christians.
“Since Epiphany is about Christ being revealed as the Son of God, its interesting to consider how the Patronus is part of what reveals that Harry is James’ son in the sense of being like him, being as great as him, etc. Most notably, Harry’s Patronus is a stag just like James’ Patronus. It’s for this reason, among others, that I am convinced by John Granger regarding the possible meaning of Harry’s name symbolically. He argues that “Harry Potter” was probably chosen as the name for the orphan protagonist of the series due in part to a play on words pointing to the fact that he is the heir of his father (Heir-y Pater; “Pater” being Latin for father). This play on words as the symbolism behind Harry’s name, gains further support from this Epiphany-Patronus connection.”
United States Added to List of Most Dangerous Countries for Journalists
GoFundMe Campaign to Buy “Ladders” Created to Counter One for Trump’s Border Wall
Books
Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others, by Barbara Brown Taylor
You Say You Want a Revolution?, by Dr. Dan Boone
Meet Jesus—the original revolutionary, who turned the world upside down with his countercultural ways. Join Dr. Dan Boone for 40 days in the Gospel of Luke exploring Jesus's radical commitment to justice and compassion as he embraces the marginalized and introduces a new kingdom on earth.
Children
Home By Another Way: A Christmas Story, by Barbara Brown Taylor
Movies
Bridge to Terabithia: Jesse Aarons trained all summer to become the fastest runner in school, so he's very upset when newcomer Leslie Burke outruns him and everyone else. Despite this and other differences, including that she's rich, he's poor, and she's a city girl, he's a country boy, the two become fast friends. Together, they create Terabithia, a land of monsters, trolls, ogres, and giants and rule as king and queen. This friendship helps Jess deal with the tragedy that makes him realize what Leslie taught him.
Watu Wote (All of Us): For almost a decade Kenya has been targeted by terrorist attacks of the Al-Shabaab. Especially the border region between Kenya and Somalia is considered highly dangerous. An atmosphere of anxiety and mistrust between Muslims and Christians is growing. Until in December 2015, Muslim bus passengers showed that solidarity can prevail.
Music:
Spotify : We will be developing a list for the season as the season progresses.