Ascension St. Matthew’s

God’s Work. Our Hands. God’s World. Our Neighborhood. All are Welcome. Come Share the Spirit

January 4th - Second Sunday of Christmas , Year A

Readings - Jeremiah 31:7-14, Psalm - 147:12-20

Second Reading - Ephesians 1:3-14, Gospel - John (1-9), 10-18

Within the gospel reading’s profound words lies the simple message that God is revealed in a human person. Though we may try to understand how the Word existed with God from the beginning of time, the wonder we celebrate at Christmas is that the Word continues to dwell among us. Christ comes among us in the gathered assembly, the scriptures, the waters of new birth, and the bread and the wine. Through these ordinary gifts we receive the fullness of God’s grace and truth.

January 11th - Baptism of Our Lord, Year A

Readings - Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29

Second Reading - Acts 10:34-43, Gospel - Matthew 3:13-17

In the waters of the Jordan, Jesus is revealed as the beloved Son of God. Through this great epiphany, Jesus fulfills all righteousness and becomes the servant of God who will bring forth justice and be a light to the nations. In the waters of baptism we too are washed by the Word, anointed by the Spirit, and named God’s beloved children. Our baptismal mission is to proclaim good news to all who are oppressed or in need of God’s healing.

January 18th - Second Sunday after Epiphany , Year A

Readings - Isaiah 49:1-7 , Psalm 40:1-11

Second Reading - 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 , Gospel - John 1:29-42

Today’s gospel opens with further reflection on Jesus’ baptism. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and the one anointed by the Spirit. In the liturgy we come and see Christ revealed among us in word and meal. We go forth to invite others to come and worship the Holy One and to receive the gifts of grace and peace made known among us.

January 25th - Third Sunday after Epiphany, Year A

Readings - Isaiah 9:1-4 , Psalm 27:1,4-9

Second Reading - 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 , Gospel - Matthew 4:12023

Jesus begins his public ministry by calling fishers to leave their nets and follow him. In Jesus the kingdom of God has come near. We who have walked in darkness have seen a great light. We see this light most profoundly in the cross—as God suffers with us and all who are oppressed by sickness, sin, or evil. Light dawns for us as we gather around the word, the font, and the holy table. We are then sent to share the good news that others may be “caught” in the net of God’s grace and mercy.

February 1- Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, Year A

Readings - Micah 6:1-8 , Psalm 15

Second Reading - 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 , Gospel - Matthew 5:1-12

Who are the blessed ones of God? For Micah, they are those who do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. For Paul, they are the ones who find wisdom in the weakness of the cross. For Jesus, they are the poor, the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who mourn, and those who hunger for righteousness. In baptism we find our blessed identity and calling in this countercultural way of living and serving.

February 8th- Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, Year A

Readings - Isaiah 58:1-9a(9b-12) , Psalm 112:1-9 )10)

Second Reading - 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 , Gospel - Matthew5:13-20

Light shines in the darkness for the upright, the psalmist sings. Isaiah declares that when we loose the bonds of injustice and share our bread with the hungry, the light breaks forth like the dawn. In another passage from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus, the light of the world, calls his followers to let the light of their good works shine before others. Through baptism we are sent into the world to shine with the light of Christ.

February 15th - Transfiguration of Our Lord, Year A

First Reading - Exodus 24:12-18 , Psalm 2

Second Reading - 2 Peter 1:16-21, Gospel - Matthew 17:1-9

Today’s festival is a bridge between the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany cycle that comes to a close today and the Lent-Easter cycle that begins in several days. On a high mountain Jesus is revealed as God’s beloved Son, echoing the words at his baptism. This vision of glory sustains us as Jesus faces his impending death in Jerusalem. We turn this week to Ash Wednesday and our yearly baptismal journey from Lent to Easter. Some churches put aside the alleluia at the conclusion of today’s liturgy. This word of joy will be omitted during the penitential season of Lent and will be sung again at Easter.

February 22nd- First Sunday in Advent , Year A

Readings - Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 , Psalm 32

Second Reading - Romans 5:12-19, Gospel - Matthew 4:4-11

Today's gospel tells of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. His forty-day fast becomes the basis of our Lenten pilgrimage. In the early church Lent was a time of intense preparation for those to be baptized at the Easter Vigil. This catechetical focus on the meaning of faith is at the heart of our Lenten journey to the baptismal waters of Easter. Hungry for God’s mercy, we receive the bread of life to nourish us for the days ahead.