Jesus, the Apprentice
- davidwperk
- Jan 24, 2024
- 6 min read
Devotional Reflection, Wednesday, January 24, 2024
The week of the third Sunday after Epiphany
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:
19Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. 20The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished.
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 945)
AM Psalm 119:49-72; PM Psalm 49, [53]
Gen. 16:1-14; Heb. 9:15-28; John 5:19-29
Today we celebrate the Feast of Li Tim-Oi (See below.)
David’s Reflections
My dad, William, was quite a woodsman and fisherman. He grew up in my native southwestern Louisiana among the virgin and second growth hardwoods and virgin yellow pine and fished streams unstained by industrial or human waste. Dad taught my younger brother, John, and me how to fly fish and hunt by showing us how he fished and hunted. He showed us how to aim, how to brace for the recoil of a shotgun, how to recognize squirrel sign on the forest floor, and how to course the barks and whistles squirrels make. We watched him, listened to him, and learned by observing and practicing under his watchful tutelage.
The same was true of fly fishing. He would wade the middle of the Calcasieu River and put one of us on either side near the bank. He would show us how to tie on a fly, how to do a figure eight retrieve of the line with our fingers, and how to do a roll cast and a back cast by demonstrating them. He would show us the best spots where bream and bass would most likely be lurking. Then, he would coach us as we tried to imitate. It was A River Runs Through It, southern Louisiana warm-bass-water style.
Underlying all the teaching and learning was the relationship. He was our Dad and he loved us. He wanted to pass those skills along to us for our enjoyment, and he took deep pride in watching us succeed. Imagine my joy a few years ago when my son, Ben, asked me to teach him. We’ve waded many a stream together, the latest being the Little Schuylkill River in Pennsylvania in 2021, along with his wife, Jenny and their son, Will. Will carries the tradition into the next generation. I purchased him a fly fishing outfit for his ninth birthday. I hope that eventually we will be fishing the upper Pecos in the mountains of northeast New Mexico and the Roach River in Maine.
The opening verses of today’s Gospel contain a parable of the apprentice son and the master craftsman father.+ The son could do nothing except what he saw the father do. Are we hearing a hint of Jesus’ childhood relationship with his father, Joseph, that of master craftsman and apprentice son? The comparison this parable makes is to the relationship of Jesus to the father. The son’s entire ministry was an imitation of what he saw and learned from God.
According to John’s Gospel, we are to have the same relationship with God that Jesus enjoys. Incredible as that may feel, John’s Gospel repeatedly affirms exactly that. If that is the case, we have encouragement here that God, our Father and Mother, will show us all that we need to learn to be and to do. How? In ways too complex, mysterious, and ever-present to be detailed here. A few hints—by studying the life of Jesus and the lives of those we know who model Jesus’ love and devotion to God.
My prayer can be, “God, my Father and Mother, show me what you want me to be and do. I am your child and I can only do what I see you doing. Help me to recognize your presence and actions in the Spirit’s voice and in the lives of others and emulate them.”
+I am indebted to C. H. Dodd for this insight but can’t put my hands on the journal article in which he made these interpretive moves.
Collect of the Day, The Third Sunday after Epiphany
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 215)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Florence Li Tim-Oi, first woman priest in the Anglican communion, ordained 25 Jan 1944 (died 26 Feb 1992 CE).
Collect of the Feast of Florence Li Tim-Oi
Almighty God, who pours out your Spirit upon your sons and daughters: Grant that we, following the example of your servant Florence Li Tim-Oi, chosen priest in your church, may with faithfulness, patience, and tenacity proclaim your holy gospel to all the nations, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
A Collect for Grace
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100)
Thanksgiving For the Beauty of the Earth
We give you thanks, most gracious God, for the beauty of earth and sky and sea; for the richness of mountains, plains, and rivers; for the songs of birds and the loveliness of flowers. We praise you for these good gifts, and pray that we may safeguard them for our posterity. Grant that we may continue to grow in our grateful enjoyment of your abundant creation, to the honor and glory of your Name, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 840)
A Prayer for Light
O Lord God Almighty, as you have taught us to call the evening, the morning, and the noonday one day; and have made the sun to know its going down: Dispel the darkness of our hearts, that by your brightness we may know you to be the true God and eternal light, living and reigning for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 110)
A Collect for Mission
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (BCP, 101)
Daily Office Gospel, John 5:19-29
19Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. 20The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. 21Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. 22The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 23so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life. 25‘Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; 27and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29and will come out—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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