Pr. DFD : Monday prior to Epiphany 2

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Sunday, January 11, 2026

Monday prior to Epiphany 2

Psalm 19:1-4; antiphon, Psalm 19:4—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. These words are commonly prayed by the pastor before the sermon is delivered. The silent heavens speak, declaring the glory of their Maker to all who are on the earth. The heavenly lights are not divine nor do they control or disclose man’s destiny. Their glory testifies to the righteousness and faithfulness of the Lord who created them. For further reading and meditation, see Romans 1:19-20, Psalm 89:4-8, and Psalm 97:6.

Psalm 19 – The Heavens, the Word, the Glory of God

The title tells us both the author and the audience of the psalm: To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Some believe that the Chief Musician is the Lord GOD Himself, and others suppose him to be a leader of choirs or musicians in David’s time, such as Heman the singer or Asaph (1 Chronicles 6:33, 16:5-7, and 25:6).

This Psalm reflects, more than any other, the beauty and splendor of the Hebrew poetry found in the Psalter. C.S. Lewis wrote, ‘I take this to be the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world.’[2]

Collect for Psalm 19: Heavenly Father, you have filled the world with beauty. Open our eyes to see your gracious hand in all your works, that rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness, for the sake of him through whom al things were made, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.[3]

Called to Witness

The Epiphany season has three festivals: The Festival of the Epiphany (January 6), The Baptism of Our Lord (Epiphany 1), and The Transfiguration of Our Lord (Last Sunday after The Epiphany). Unlike other seasons, it opens and closes with a festival. The Sundays in between (Epiphany 2-8) are called “Ordinary” Sundays.

The Old Testament lessons harmonize with the Gospel Lesson. Four of the seven Lessons are taken from Isaiah. The Epistle Lessons are given in semi “in-course” fashion from 1 Corinthians 1:1—4:5. Consequently, the Epistle is not intended to harmonize with the theme of the Gospel and the Old Testament lesson. The Epistle lends itself to a series of sermons on the church. The Gospel lesson lays the groundwork of Jesus’ public ministry, a transition from the ministry of John to the ministry of Jesus. Beginning with Epiphany 4, we will have an in-course (verse after verse) series on the fifth chapter of Matthew, the first of three chapters constituting the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-48). Because Easter falls mid-April this year, the season of Epiphany will last eight weeks in 2023.

In the Gospel the story of God is manifested in Jesus as the Messiah. John the Baptist refers to Jesus as the Lamb whom the Spirit baptizes and who baptizes with the Spirit. In the Old Testament Lesson, the Epiphany can be seen in God’s servant, Israel, who is to bring the light of salvation to the nations. Epiphany deals with the light and with the spreading of the light to the whole world. God is glorified in His servant (verse 3) who witness. In the Epistle Lesson, the glory of Christ can be seen in the power of the Gospel to make believers as in Corinth.

[1] Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2]https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-19/

Sunday, January 12, 2025

Monday prior to Epiphany 2

[1]

Psalm 36:5:9, Antiphon, Song of Solomon 2:4—The Lord brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love. See also Numbers 2:2 and Psalm 20:5 – The king’s love for his bride is displayed for all to see like a large military banner. So is the Father’s love for you. Great is His faithfulness.

The Theme for Epiphany 2, “God’s Glory Manifested In Transforming Power,” can be seen in all three lessons for the week. In the Old Testament lesson, (Isaiah 62:1-5) God marries His people. God will transform Jerusalem from desolation to delight. In the Epistle lesson, (1 Corinthians12:1-11) the Sprit transforms from “Jesus be cursed” to “Jesus is Lord!” Here the gifts of the Spirit will be outlined for us. In the Gospel lesson, (John 2:1-11) the wedding at Cana, Christ transforms water into wine. Here He manifests His glory and His disciples put their faith in Him.

When Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding in Cana, it was “the first of His signs,” by which He “manifested His glory” (John 2:11).

It pointed to His coming “hour,” when He was lifted up on the Cross for the forgiveness of sins and the life of the world (John 2:4; 12:23–32). The glory of the cross is incomprehensible apart from the Word and Spirit of God, but disciples of Jesus recognize that glory in the signs of His Gospel, and so they believe in Him. Jesus does not wait for His disciples to discover Him on their own, but He seeks out the forsaken and the desolate and unites them to Himself. He adorns them with His own beautiful righteousness and delights in them “as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride” (Isaiah 62:4–5). Purified by the washing of water with His Word in Holy Baptism, His disciples confess that “Jesus is Lord,” and they return thanks to Him “in the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3), as they drink the good wine that He pours out for them, which is the new testament in His blood.[2]

Collect for Epiphany 2 Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth , mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your peace through all our days; through Jesus Christ Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. [3]

[2] Lectionary Summary from the LCMS Commission on Worship

Sunday, January 7, 2024

Monday prior to Epiphany 2—

Psalm 40:1-5—The Antiphon, is taken from Psalm 40:10, “I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of Your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal Your love and Your truth from the great assembly.” When speaking of the Lord, we must center our conversation on His faithfulness and salvation, which flows from righteousness.

The word Epiphany literally means, I see, I understand, I see the light, I get it! In Epiphany we “get it!” This Jesus whom we have worshipped at Christmas truly is the Son of God. By grace, through faith, by the Spirit’s aid we are brought to a right understanding of spiritual things; finally we “get it!”

When Jesus stood before Pilate we find an interesting interaction taking place. “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” –John 18:37

The "truth" of the Gospel, which came by Christ, was preached by him, which he bore witness to, to do which was his coming into the world. This was not concealed by him, who is truth itself; but was fully and plainly declared by him. In this Epiphany season we will hear and witness Jesus’ claim to be “the way, the truth and the life.” -John 14:6 The psalmist expresses how the child of God is given to respond; we speak of the Lord’s faithfulness and salvation, we gossip the gospel. The message of the Bible is always simple and clear, Christ came to save sinners. That message is proclaimed in the words of the introit for this coming Sunday.

Collect for Psalm 40: Lord Jesus Christ, you became obedient to death and your name was exalted above all others. Teach us always to do the Father’s will, so that, made holy by your obedience and united to your sacrifice, we can know your great love in times of sorrow and sing a new song to our God now and forever.

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