Living in Divine Luminosity
- davidwperk
- Feb 14, 2022
- 6 min read
Devotional Reflection, Monday, February 14, 2022
The week of the sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; 7 but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Daily Office Lectionary readings (BCP, 949)
AM Psalm 89:1-18; PM Psalm 89:19-52
Gen. 30:1-24; 1 John 1:1-10; John 9:1-17
Today we celebrate the Feast of Cyril and Methodius. (See below.)
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Office Epistle, 1 John 1:1-10
1 We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life- 2 this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us- 3 we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; 7 but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
David's Reflections
I must confess to having paid little attention to this epistle in recent years. For one thing, the Greek of First John calls to mind my First Grade reader, "Run Jerry run. See Jerry run." The Greek style and vocabulary read so simply and easily that seminary Greek professors routinely use it with beginning students as the first New Testament book they are asked to translate. I took the attitude that an epistle with such simplicity of style could not offer profound teaching.
For another, First John has suffered from simplistic readings and proof texting by those of a more right-wing theological persuasion. That misuse gave me a lingering after-taste that acted as a barrier to close reading. Yet, a closer reading reveals the message of this little epistle to be quite subtle and complex, in spite of the simple style, and rewards our attention.
Today's reading begins with a ringing affirmation of first-hand encounter with the Word made flesh, Jesus of Nazareth. That does not necessarily mean that the author had to have contact with the earthly Jesus. For John’s Gospel and these epistles, to see means to believe, and the seeing here mentioned could be with the eyes of faith. And, hands do handle Jesus each Sunday in the receiving of the bread of Holy Eucharist. So, the writer does not have to be referring to a touching of the historical Jesus’ body.
Out of that affirmation the author presents us with a contradiction we are to avoid. If we claim to have fellowship with the God who is light and walk in darkness we are lying. Yet, we also are told that if we deny that we commit sin we are lying. One would think that walking in darkness and committing sin are equivalent behaviors.
Yet, what the author seems to be saying is that the ultimate darkness is self-delusion, being closed and blind to our own existence and our own nature. As Rudolf Bultmann so well says, "darkness . . . is the way men are closed against God--a closure indeed that becomes a power ruling the individual. . . ." *
To be open to God's light, to have a relationship with Christ by faith, sheds light on my existence, bringing me to a more profound and honest grasp of those places where my existence is caught and bound and of the anxieties and fears that stomp about in my soul and at times dominate my inner being. Again, to quote Bultmann, ". . . the real meaning of light is the luminosity man needs in order to find his way in his daily as well as his spiritual life.” +
When I live with an awareness of my limitations and failures, I am walking in the light. God's presence is shedding light on my existence. Then, I can run to the God whose eagerness to illuminate is matched by his eagerness to love and forgive. Confessing my sins, opening myself more fully to the light, brings me into a more intimate relationship with the God who forgives and with others who, just as desperately as I, are dependent on that God's light and love.
* Rudolf Bultmann, The Johannine Epistles (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1973), p. 17.
+Bultmann, Johannine Epistles, p. 16.
Collect of the Day, Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 216)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Cyril and Methodius, missionaries to the Slaves (died 868 and 885 CE).
Collect of the Feast of Cyril and Methodius
Almighty and everlasting God, who by the power of the Holy Spirit moved your servants Cyril and Methodius to bring the light of the Gospel to a hostile and divided people: Overcome all bitterness and strife among us by the love of Christ, and make us one united family under the banner of the Prince of Peace; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Collect for the Renewal of Life
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 99)
A Collect for All Baptized Christians
Grant, Lord God, to all who have been baptized into the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ, that, as we have put away the old life of sin, so we may be renewed in the spirit of our minds, and live in righteousness and true holiness; 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. (BCP, 247)
A Collect for Early Evening
Grant us, Lord, the lamp of charity which never fails, that it may burn in us and shed its light on those around us, and that by its brightness we may have a vision of that holy City, where dwells the true and never-failing Light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 110)
A Collect for Mission
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100, 257)
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