Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, 2022

This Sunday we will witness Jesus' power over nature, supernature, and his total peace in the midst of the storm (a sharp contrast to our distress and lack of faith in the midst of the storm). We will also be reminded of God's providential ordering of civil government, and our obligation to respect and pray for our political leaders. The combination of these themes: the storm, our distress, beholding the power of Jesus, the general confusion and the rather unsatisfactory state of world affairs and domestic politics will perhaps strike us in contrasting ways. Simply put, we are called to pray and trust that Jesus' presence with us will see us through the storm. We are called to honour and pray for our leaders, even while (in a democratic and free society anyway) we are able to express our support or disapproval of law and policy. As Christians, when we express disapproval of law and policy, we need to be careful not to cross the line from mature political debate and dialogue into disobedience, disrespect, toxic mockery, and venomous insults. It is worth remembering what sort of political leadership the Apostle Paul had in mind while exhorting the Roman Christians in this regard... I find our readings this week encouraging and challenging. Perhaps it is the same for some of you. Whatever the case, consider joining us this Sunday, so we can pray about these things (and anything else which may burden us and for which we ought to give thanks).

Readings: You may access the prayer and readings by following this link. You may read the RSV and ESV translations of the readings here.