January 20, 2013

Breaking Open the Scriptures Scriptures for January 20th: Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 36:5-10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; John 2:1-11; Theme: Getting ready to get ready 1 Corinthians : We started this year off by talking about service, about the holy Spirit, and about how baptism prepares us for service to Jesus Christ. As we go throughout the epiphany season, we will read scriptures that prepare us for a journey of service. We start with this very popular scripture about spiritual gifts. If the Holy Spirit is amongst our community, we need to be able to identify its presence. The holy spirit always comes bearing gifts. God gives different gifts to different people. Paul did not mean for this list to be complete, there are other spiritual gifts. Paul’s main point is that is that there are many nonchristians who will claim that they have the gifts from God. And yet they don’t know what these gifts are. Paul wants you to recognize these gifts when you see them, use them and know that they come from God. John: John is getting us ready to get ready for lent. Lent is a time of preparation for a new life in Christ. Usually, if you have new members they are getting ready for baptism and church membership. But the reality is that the entire church has a place in that process. Helping the younger people is a way to help us all grow in faith. It is no accident that the first miracle of the book of John is a wedding. A wedding is a time of rejoicing. Jesus wants us to realize that he (along with the Father and the Holy Spirit is the source of our rejoicing). And as we get ready for a new life in Christ, it is a party all along the journey. A marriage is a commitment service. We are committing ourselves to be in relationship with God. Life in relationship with God is a time to rejoice! Questions: What do you think are your spiritual gifts? How do you recognize spiritual gifts in others? What training and preparation do you need in order to be able to use your gifts to the fullest? Do you see how nonChristians tend to misuse these gifts? What will you do to prepare for lent this year? What do you have to rejoice about in your journey with God? What is the source of your joy? What is the source of your commitment to God? j