Lightening in Our Paper Flesh

Devotional Reflection, Thursday, January 8, 2026

The Week of the Second Sunday after Christmas

Key verses for reflection from today’s Gospel reading:

37 On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, 38and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.”’ 39Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.

Daily Office Lectionary Readings:

AM Psalm 11y, 188; PM Psalm 112, 113

Exod.17:1-7; Col. 1:15-23; John 7:37-52

Today we celebrate the Feast of Harriet Bedell.  See below.

David’s Reflections

Translation, translation, translation.  It’s all (well if not all, mostly) about translation.  Verse 38 says, “out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.”  That translation, which is itself an interpretation, removes an ambiguity from the text.  Literally, the Greek original says, “Out of his belly. . . “  The antecedent to that pronoun is indefinite.  Our translators punctuate correctly—a new sentence begins at “As the Scripture has said.” However, they then make “his” refer to believers being the source of the Spirit, which creates dissonance with John’s understanding that Jesus gives the Spirit.

If this view is correct, Jesus is saying that he himself is the source of the Holy Spirit.  And, the words of verse 39 (as well as the whole tenor of the theology of John) seem to point in that direction.  The believer receives the Spirit;  Jesus gives the Spirit.  Many believed that the Messiah’s coming would be marked by a rebirth of prophecy and a fresh outpouring of the Spirit   John alone records the scene of Jesus breathing on his disciples after the resurrection and giving them the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 20).

God’s Spirit, the very presence of God, dwells in the heart and soul of every person who takes the risk of faith in Jesus Christ.  Holy Baptism brings the anointing of the Spirit to Christians.  That presence can prove so gentle that we can forget that we are not alone.  God’s presence, which includes the presence of Jesus his Son, works actively in our hearts continually, pouring love, strength, and transforming energy into us.

Today, remember—Christ lives within.  You are not alone.  He who walked the roads of Galilee and Jerusalem walks with you and his presence lurks within you.  More freedom and more options for action, believing, and feeling are possible than we can imagine.

"The Victory"

Make ready for the Christ,

Whose smile,

like lightening

Sets free the song of everlasting glory

That now sleeps,

in your paper flesh,

like dynamite. +

+ Thomas Merton, Collected Poems (New York:  New Directions, 1946), p. 115.

Collect of the Second Sunday after Christmas Day

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (BCP, 214)

Collect of The Epiphany January 6

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.  (BCP, 214)

Today we celebrate the Feast of Harriet Bedell, deaconess and missionary (died 8 January 1969).  For a biographical note, readings, and prayers see the web link http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/Bedell.htm

Collect of the Feast of Harriet Bedell

Holy God, you chose your faithful servant Harriet Bedell to exercise the ministry of deaconess and to be a missionary among indigenous peoples: Fill us with compassion and respect for all people, and empower us for the work of ministry throughout the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Collect for Peace

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. (BCP, 99)

Of the Reign of Christ

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (BCP, 254)

In the Order of Worship for Evening

Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, creator of the changes of day and night, giving rest to the weary, renewing the strength of those who are spent, bestowing upon us occasions of song in the evening. As you have protected us in the day that is past, so be with us in the coming night; keep us from every sin, every evil, and every fear; for you are our light and salvation, and the strength of our life. To you be glory for endless ages. Amen.  (BCP, 113)

A Collect for Mission

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified:  Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.  (BCP, 100)

Daily Office Gospel, John 7:37-52

37 On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, 38and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.”’ 39Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified. 40When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, ‘This is really the prophet.’ 41Others said, ‘This is the Messiah.’ But some asked, ‘Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? 42Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?’ 43So there was a division in the crowd because of him. 44Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.

45 Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, ‘Why did you not arrest him?’ 46The police answered, ‘Never has anyone spoken like this!’ 47Then the Pharisees replied, ‘Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? 48Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? 49But this crowd, which does not know the law—they are accursed.’ 50Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, 51‘Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?’ 52They replied, ‘Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee.’

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