Lectionary thoughts for Epiphany 3

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 3A
Isaiah 9: 1 - 7

Out of the darkness of terror
The light of hope had dawned.

The dread of weeping and mourning
Is transformed to joy and gladness.

The burden that bowed us down
Is lifted by the gift of God.

All the means of oppression
Are destroyed by the grace of God.

The child has been born, the Son given
And he has carried the weight of our load.

For he is indeed our "Wonderful Counsellor"
We know him as our "Prince of Peace.

The "dominion of his peace" is boundless
The "zeal of the Lord of Hosts" is active now!

Epiphany 3A
Psalm 27: 1, 4 - 9

The illumination that comes from faith in God is both peculiarly personal and yet strangely universal. In every generation that has been able to read our Scriptures, especially the New Testament, in their own language there have arisen people with remarkable inspiration. At the same time we must recognise that countless 'ordinary' folk have had their lives transformed thereby.
Thus the words of the psalmist "The Lord is my light and my salvation" have been, and are, very real for an innumerable multitude.
We have found light in darkness; hope in despair; comfort in distress; and strength instead of weakness. To make these matters a reality in daily living requires faith, persistence and regular reading/study of our scriptural inheritance.

Epiphany 3A
1 Corinthians 1: 10 - 18

We all have our own thoughts, Lord,
And divisions of opinion.

We each have personal heroes
And leaders whom we follow.

There are even party factions
And sometimes quarrels!

We do not seem to have learned
Very much since Paul's time.

One thing, however, remains central
To us all; the Cross of Christ.

This, alone, towers above all our
Petty factions and is for all "the power of God".

Epiphany 3A
Matthew 4: 12 - 23

Seven hundred year is a long time
For us to wait, Lord.

We would expect promises made to be
Kept sooner than this.

But we have learned through hard experience
That your time is not ours.

Those regions that were earliest into exile
Were also first to see your salvation.

Those busy workmen were to experience
The transformation of their labours.

We, too, are very busy with daily things
You call us in the middle of it all.

And in the muddle of daily things
The light of your presence leads us on.