The Dawning Light of Deliverance
- davidwperk
- Apr 19, 2024
- 5 min read
Devotional Reflection, Friday, April 19, 2024
The week of the third Sunday of Easter
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:
16the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.’ 17From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 961)
AM Psalm 105:1-22; PM Psalm 105:23-45
Exod. 24:1-18; Col 2:8-23; Matt. 4:12-17
Today we celebrate the Feast of Alphege. (See below.)
David’s Reflections
Bonnie Raitt’s song “Shadow of Doubt” captures the sort of longing this passage expresses, a longing in the darkness for the light.
Well I whisper in the dark
From the bottom of my heart
And I’m searching for one star to shine
I will shout from mountain high
And, I’ll reach into the sky
‘Til you open up my eyes so blind.*
Here Matthew quotes Isaiah 9:1-2 to present Jesus’ beginnings in Galilee after his temptations under the sign of the sun rising after a long night. People sitting in the darkness of disease, evil, uncertainty, unbelief, and oppression crave the coming of the dawn of deliverance. They hope and dream for a light to show the way out of their dungeons.
Matthew’s Jesus shines the light by preaching, teaching, and healing. His entire ministry appears in these verses in miniature—the dawning of God’s promised salvation in his person and work. Can you see the images of light dancing with darkness in the early morning and calling people to awaken?
These words have a poignant ring to me, awakening memories of people I have known who sat in profound darkness for years and who then had the light shine on them. Their darknesses included self loathing, addiction, emotional distress, religious doubt, rage—an open ended list. In Christ and in Christian community, often in concert with a 12-step program or some form of therapy, and usually sparked by a spiritual awakening, these people lived into a new and refreshing freedom.
Poignancy sprouts also from connection with my personal experience. As life lengthens, new places of shadow and despair become obvious. Jesus’ tender grace and gentle light just keep on shining, seeking out elusive corners of my existence that crave the light. I can feel my own journey in the words of this text. Thankfulness for dungeons left behind mingles with anticipation of new light not yet so fully shining.
God is all about light and freedom and transformation. Just a hint of faith works like cracking the blinds on the east side of a room in the morning. Light floods in through the slightest opening. The slightest hint of faith creates just such an opening. (Didn’t Jesus say something about a mustard seed?) Light even bleeds in around closed blinds.
So, today, what whispers in the dark are seeking to arise from your own soul? Bonnie’s song speaks of a relentless struggle against the shadows. Time to make war on the darkness with the only effective weapon—faith. No matter how frail and minuscule that faith, it creates a crack in the blinds. Trust, pray, and then prepare for the inrushing light and the new space you will see and experience.
* From "Shadow of Doubt", on the CD “Longing in Their Hearts” (Capital Records, 1994)
Collect of the Day, Third Sunday of Easter
O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 224-225)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Alphege, Archbishop of Canterbury and martyr (died 19 April 1012 CE).
Collect of the Feast of Alphege
Lord Jesus Christ, who willingly walked the way of the cross: Strengthen your church through the example and prayers of your servant Alphege to hold fast the path of discipleship; for with the Father and Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Collect for Fridays
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 97)
A Collect for Quiet Confidence
O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 832)
Dietrich Bonhöffer’s Prayer in Prison (Excerpts)
O God, early in the morning I cry to you.
Help me to pray
And to concentrate my thoughts on you:
I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me.
Lord Jesus Christ,
You were poor
and in distress, a captive and forsaken as I am.
You know all man’s troubles;
You abide with me
when all men fail me;
Help me.O Holy Spirit,
Give me faith that will protect me
from despair, from passions, from vice;
Give me such love for God and men
as will take away all hatred and bitterness;
Give me the hope that will save me
from fear and faint-heartedness.
(Dietrich Bonhöffer, Prayers from Prison. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1978, pp. 7-9)
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
O God of all the nations of the earth: Remember the multitudes who have been created in your image but have not known the redeeming work of our Savior Jesus Christ; and grant that, by the prayers and labors of your holy Church, they may be brought to know and worship you as you have been revealed in your Son; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 257)
Daily Office Gospel, Matthew 4:12-17
12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15‘Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-- 16the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.’ 17From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’
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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