. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b

Epiphany 5 Yr B
Have you not known?

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Published date 2/3/2021

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Introduction

My heart has wrapped itself around the Isaiah lesson since I first read it as an adult. To me, it's very conversational—God simply asking the questions. Haven't you known? heard? been told? Just exactly how awesome is our God—the stories have been told you from the beginning of time. Take time to absorb this lesson: read it, one line at a time; think on that one line, then compare it to those before it; then pull all the lines and all your thoughts together. Given this, I believe you can answer these questions and embrace that you will "mount up with wings like eagles" when you do. Feel free to comment.

Isaiah 40:21-31

Have you not known? Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
and spreads them like a tent to live in;
who brings princes to naught,
and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing. . . .

but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.

From sermon4kids.com: “When someone is sad or having a bad day, a smile and a friendly "hello" would surely brighten their day. Have you ever seen someone sitting all alone at school who doesn't seem to have very many friends? If you sat down and talked to them, it just might make them feel as if someone cares about them. A simple act of kindness can say a lot more than a gift. ” Ed. note: This is "becoming all things to all people" in 1 Corinthians lesson.

Fishers of Men

MARK 1:29-39

After Jesus and his disciples left the synagogue, . . . they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

From sermon4kids.com: "People today are still looking for Jesus. They are looking for Jesus because they need something that only he can give them—forgiveness for sin and everlasting life. Are you looking for Jesus?"

Scripture: February 4, 2024—Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany—Isaiah 40:21-31 (image), 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 (image), Mark 1:29-39 (image), & Psalm 147:1-12, 21c (image). A visual and oral journey through the scripture.

Collect: Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Reflection: What does Paul mean when he says that he became all things to all people so that he could save some (1 Cor. 9:22)?

Symbols of the Church

Because it soars upward, the eagle is a symbol of the resurrection or ascension of Christ. By extension, the eagle symbolizes baptized Christians, who have symbolically died and risen with Christ. Another meaning of the eagle symbol, especially when it has a halo, is John the Evangelist , author of the fourth gospel.

from "Catholic Encyclopedia" website.

Eye Candy:
“Migrating Birds” (2013) by Ginette Calloway;
“Christ healing the blind” by El Greco;
“Jesus healing the sick” by John Lautermilch

Ear Worm:
“On eagle’s wings“ sung by Josh Groban;
“Arise, your light is come“, led by children;
“Go forth and tell“, familiar tune

Brain Food:
“Searching for Jesus“, a reflection by Michael Marsh;
“For the sake of the gospel” by Robert Cornwall;
“Simon’s mother-in-law”, a different part of the gospel by Janet Hunt from Dancing with the word website;
"Listening to your inner Job", reflection by John Holbert;
"Jesus—the healing revivalist" by Aimee Simple McPherson

Parables:
“Patch Adams” (1998, PG-13), “a medical student who breaks the rules”, doctor with unusual attitude about healing, “the best medicine is love, laughter, and play”, healing the whole person, not the disease; the power of laughter to help in healing, Review 1, Review 2;
“Bicentennial Man” (1999, PG), kindness of a robot, a robot becomes more human, Review 1, Review 2;
“The Bucket List” (2007, PG-13), comedy about dying and about finding joy, Review;
"Dead Poet's Society" (1989, PG), there is a higher authority, "seize the day", Review 1, Review 2;
“Chariots of Fire” (1981, PG), 2 champions at 1924 Olympics, “ultimate allegiance”, choosing between God & coiuntry, Review

Awaken the senses

New this issue: Awaken the senses. For several years, the editor has made suggestions about images, or music, or reflections, or movies that depict the assigned scripture for the week (see above). It's your turn. As you read the scripture for this week, what do you see or hear or read that reminds you of the topic. Send it to FaithatHome2020@gmail.com and I'll post your contributions.

This week, the editor focuses on the Isaiah reading which reminds us that we have been told of God's greatness since before the beginning of time. In the Gospel from Mark we find Jesus overwhelmed by people needing "healing". Paul reports (in 1 Corinthians) he has become "all things for all people". Lastly, from the psalm, God cares for all.

For Families: Study guide and activities (former guide), group activity, snacks; kid video—a song

For Children: See family guide/activities (another activity), bulletin, craft

For Middlers: See family guide/activities (another activity); bulletin, craft

For Youth: We all know about re-charging our equipment (phones, tablets) but do YOU think about re-charging YOU. Real the lesson from Isaiah in which God asks “Have you not heard about me and what I have done for you since the beginning of time?” (my paraphrase)—The Prophet Isaiah also reminds that we can become weak but God will fill us with strength and we will rise like eagles! A common phrase today is “you can’t help somebody else until you help yourself.” So, dear ones, what are you doing this week, this day, this hour to re-charge yourself so you can be strong in your spirit, mind, and body and thereby represent Jesus in the world? Feel free to comment.

Today’s Gospel continues Mark’s account of the first events in Jesus’ ministry. Once again, Jesus was faced with illness which he cured and evil spirits which he cast out. But rather than stay in that place as a healer, he moves on to announce the good news of God’s Kingdom in other places as well.

The first reading proclaims God as ruler and creator of all things. God is incomparable and inexhaustible, and God’s power is the source of our life and that power animates our lives and our ministry.

In the second reading, Paul is responding to another problem in the Corinthian church. Wandering preachers had come to them and, preaching for money, had proclaimed strange versions of the Gospel. Paul wants to make it clear that his is the Gospel of Christ and the proof that he is not altering it to be popular is that he does not ask for money.

It is the proclamation of Christ that is central. We are called and converted by that message and baptized into that faith. We gather at the Lord’s Table in response, for empowerment, but we also gather in order to be sent forth in that power to proclaim the message to others.

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