The Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle

The Collect

O God, by the preaching of your apostle Paul you have caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world: Grant, we pray, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show ourselves thankful to you by following his holy teaching; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Psalm
67

The Readings

Acts 26:9-21     +     Galatians 1:11-24     +     Matthew 10:16-22

Let your ways be know upon earth,

     your saving health among all nations.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;

     let all the peoples praise you. 

~Psalm 67:2-3

Several of us at Holy Apostles are currently reading through St. Paul's letter to the Romans with the Good Book Club. Almost certainly the most influential of Paul's many letters, Romans opens with a powerful statement that sets the tone for what follows: For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith (Rom. 1:16-17).  

In this season of Epiphany, we hear a lot of scripture and song about God's salvation for all the earth, or the dawning light of Christ drawing all the nations of the world. That was the theme of Paul's ministry. Though Paul often has gotten a bad rap as someone hung up on morality or rules, that is a caricature based on pulling verses out of context or simply an unwillingness to seriously engage his writings. In fact, Paul was fundamentally inclusive. After his conversion, he understood himself to be called by God to be "apostle to the Gentiles"--to carry the good news of God's salvation beyond the traditional sphere of Judaism and into all the world; to bring the nations to Zion. Paul's letters bear out what a challenge this call was; he was often opposed or misunderstood from both sides, by both Jew and Gentile. And yet, as his assertion in the letter to the Romans boldly asserts, Paul was utterly convinced in the power of God to bridge the divide. None are excluded from the saving health God extends in Jesus. That was the conviction upon which Paul was willing to stake all things, even his life.

Consider your own life in Christ. 

Do you have a "conversion story"? 

How would you describe God's call on your life? 

What do you make of Paul's claim that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith? Would you say the same?

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, as you called your servant Paul to a life of faithful discipleship, make us to hear, recognize, and heed your call in our own lives; for the sake of the world for which you died and rose again. Amen.

The Confession of Saint Peter the Apostle

The Collect

Almighty Father, who inspired Simon Peter, first among the apostles, to confess Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God: Keep your Church steadfast upon the rock of this faith, so that in unity and peace we may proclaim the one truth and follow the one Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


The Psalm
23


The Readings

Acts 4:8-13     +     I Peter 5:1-4     +     Matthew 16:13-19

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it."

~ Matthew 16:16-18

Today marks the beginning of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It is no mistake that it begins on this feast of the Confession of St. Peter. A church so long divided in so many ways needs reminding of our Lord's promise that the gates of Hades will not prevail against her. And though working for that loving unity among the churches is indeed work, I believe that the unity of the church is finally a gift of God. Our God is ever gracious, and will not force us to accept something we do not want--and that is where our own prayers and real struggle for unity come in. But, like the grace given Peter to confess Jesus as the Christ, the grace of Christian unity is a gift revealed by the Father in heaven. In God's time, may we receive it. In our time of brokenness, may we work and pray for it.

Here is a place to start: a week of scriptures, reflections, and prayers jointly offered by the presiding bishops of four churches, including our own Bishop Michael Curry.
"Justice, and Only Justice" Daily Devotions for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2019

"Confession of St. Peter" by Alexey Pismenny (see details here)

Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, "Peace I give to you; my own peace I leave with you:" Regard not our sins, but the faith of your Church, and give to us the peace and unity of that heavenly City, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and for ever. Amen.
~ BCP p. 107

The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ

The Collect

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Psalm

72:1-7, 10-14

The Readings

Isaiah 60:1-6     +     Ephesians 3:1-12     +     Matthew 2:1-12

In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 

~Ephesians 3:5-6

Immediately following the twelve-day season of Christmas, on January 6th the church celebrates the feast of the Epiphany, also called the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. The Prayer Book commends it as one of the seven principal feasts of the church year, and it is one of the most ancient—probably only Easter predates it in observance. Because Epiphany is a fixed date feast (like Christmas), it usually falls during the week and risks passing unobserved. But this year January 6th is a Sunday, so we will celebrate the day with all the joy and solemnity worthy the occasion.

Epiphany means “appearing” or “manifestation.” What appears, what is brought to light for all the world, is none other than God in the flesh—Jesus Christ our Lord. The Gospel on Epiphany relates the adoration of the “wise men.” These magi were not Jews. They were probably Persian priests and astrologers, and yet they bow in worship and acknowledge as king a Jewish infant, enthroned on the lap of his peasant girl mother. The other manifestations associated with Epiphany are Christ’s baptism (observed the following Sunday), and the beginning of his miraculous signs at the wedding in Cana.

On this Epiphany and in the weeks following, as the earth turns and the light grows, pray for grace to see, hear, and believe. Like the magi, for devotion to seek out the Christ, and humble wisdom to find him in unexpected places. Like John at the Jordan, for ears to hear the voice of God that confirms the Beloved. Like the servants and the disciples at the wedding, to know and believe in the One who brings abundance of joy.

Closing Prayer
Songs of thankfulness and praise, Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise,
Manifested by the star to the sages from afar;
Branch of royal David’s stem, in thy birth at Bethlehem;
Anthems be to thee addressed, God in man made manifest. Amen.
~Hymn 135

The Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ

The Collect
Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

The Psalm

8

The Readings

Numbers 6:22-27     +     Galatians 4:4-7     +     Luke 2:15-21

So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.
~Numbers 6:27

On this octave of Christmas, eight days after the celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord, we celebrate his naming. According to Luke's Gospel, in accordance with Jewish custom, "After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb" (Luke 2:21). And so, we begin each year with the Holy Name of Jesus, the Name which is our salvation.

May all your days in the year to come be blessed by Jesus, the One who is our peace!

The Holy Name of Jesus, surrounded by angels--a window in Ely Cathedral, England

Closing Prayer

O Lord, whose years are without end and who dwells in the light of an unending day: as we begin this year in your Name, grant us wisdom to use our time wisely, that your love may be the beginning and ending of all our hopes, our work, our joy, and our desires. Amen.

~from Saint Augustine's Prayer Book