Lectionary thoughts for Epiphany 2

This, very mixed, collection of ideas are the result of looking at the Lectionary readings and noting the thoughts that 'popped' into my mind. I have, very deliberately, not tried to 'polish' them in any way, mainly because I lack the finesse necessary.

Year A

Epiphany 2A
Isaiah 49: 1 - 17

You took these words and honed them,
Lord, into the substance of your life.

By contracting yourself to our span
You transformed the significance of this life.

By the sharpness of your teaching
You enlarged our understanding.

By your continuing toil among us
You displayed your Lord's cause.

By the light of your example
You have defeated the darkness of our nationalism.

By your self-sacrifice for us
Salvation has "reached earth's farthest bounds".

Out of your despisal and abhorrence
Have come universal homage and acclamation!

Epiphany 2A
Psalm 40: 1 - 11

The way of the Lord with human beings is sensitively delicate. For God has an immense respect for our integrity as persons. We must not expect to receive 'orders' as though we were in some military parade. That is not to say that the promptings of the Holy Spirit are not powerful, quite the opposite. But they are promptings. Thus those who are sensitive to, 'in tune with', the Holy Spirit will be aware of a very strong urging. However, with each of us as with Mary, God waits for our personal "be it unto me"!
Out of this subtle, complex and powerful relationship comes all manner of responses and results, indeed "a new song". This, I believe, can be seen in the explosion of understanding that originated in the Renaissance and has continued ever since.
So long as "our desire is to do God's will" we will not stray far from God's plan for us.
So long as we wilfully ignore God's word to us will we drift into self-destruction.

Epiphany 2A
1 Corinthians 1: 1 - 9

Thanks be to God - for good friends in Christ
Thanks be to God - for God's grace and peace
Thanks be to God - for our enrichment of life
Thanks be to God - for our knowledge of Christ
Thanks be to God - for the testimony of Scripture
Thanks be to God - for the testimony of our experience
Thanks be to God - for the gifts of the Spirit
Thanks be to God - for the gift of God's Son
Thanks be to God - for the ability to Thank God!

Epiphany 2A
John 1: 29 - 42

The sacrificial lamb is a powerful image
But you "desired loyalty not sacrifice"
Those sacrifices were a superficial act
This 'sacrificial lamb' is a real offering.

The sacrificial lamb is a powerless thing
And you "emptied yourself of all but love".
The "Lamb of God" is a voluntary offering
Of one 'whole life' for many 'partial lives'.

The sacrificial lamb is a temporal thing
But you were and are a timeless Saviour.
You entered into our limits of time
To offer us everlasting life!