Epiphany, 4: One who had authority
A weekly Epiphany devotional post for these 5 weeks of witness. Join us!
You can read here for a brief description of the liturgical season of Epiphany, and see previous Epiphany daybook 2018 posts here.
Blessed Epiphany, friends!
*Note: If you're reading this in email, the formatting usually looks much better at the website. Just click the post title to get there.*
Christ Preaching at Capernaum, Maurycy Gottlieb, 1856-1879 (source)
A playlist for the week on Spotify - Epiphany: Break Every Chain
Readings for today: Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Psalm 111, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28
the Gospel:
“And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.”
Daily office lectionary readings for this week:
Monday (January 29, 2018): Genesis 19:1-29, Psalm 56, Hebrews 11:1-12, John 6:27-40
Tuesday (January 30, 2018): Genesis 21:1-21, Psalm 61, Hebrews 11:13-22, John 6:41-51
Wednesday (January 31, 2018): Genesis 22:1-18, Psalm 72, Hebrews 11:23-31, John 6:52-59
Thursday (February 1, 2018): Genesis 23:1-20, Psalm 71, Hebrews 11:32-12:2, John 6:60-71
Friday (February 2, 2018): Genesis 24:1-27, Psalm 69, Hebrews 12:3-11, John 7:1-13
Saturday (February 3, 2018): Genesis 24:28-38,49-51, Psalm 75, Hebrews 12:12-29, John 7:14-36
* Sunday Scripture readings are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary (Year B). Daily Scripture readings are taken from the Book of Common Prayer (Year 2).
Prayer for this week:
“Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”
This week walk through the neighborhood where you live, work or worship. Pray the collect for this week (above), and ask God to open your eyes to the people and places He's asking you to proclaim the Good News of His salvation. Ask a friend to pray for you to answer readily to what the Spirit reveals to you during your prayer.
Don't miss the special Epiphany blog series where friends of mine from around the world, take us on a virtual walk through their own neighborhoods.
(see all Epiphany posts from 2017 here)