The Second Sunday of Epiphany – Reflection by Canon Leslie

Today is the Second Sunday of Epiphany. The Gospel reading is from John’s account of the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.  On the previous day Andrew had followed Jesus and told his brother Simon.  Today Philip follows Jesus and tells Nathanael.  When Andrew followed Jesus he said, ‘We have found the Messiah.’  When Nathanael followed Jesus he said, ‘You are the Son of God.’  To both men the true identity of Jesus has been revealed.  As Messiah and as Son of God Jesus becomes the way of communication between God and men and women.  Jesus is like a ladder between heaven and earth along which the angels (God’s messengers) travel.
 
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited you to reflect on the image of ladders and to envisage Jesus as a ladder between heaven and earth along which the angels (God’s messengers) travel. In today’s picture from his book Christmas time with Teddy Horsley, Teddy Horsley and Betsy Bear talk with the angel.
 
Next Sunday, the Third Sunday of Epiphany, turns attention to the way in which Jesus was revealed to the wedding guests at Cana when the jars filled with water produced rich wine. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday is making wine. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. Please send us your ideas and photos of the things you may create; email them to [email protected].
 
To read Christmastime with Teddy Horsley, follow this link to the relevant page of his website: https://teddyhorsley.org/other-stories/christmas-time-with-teddy-horsley. You can also find out more about him and other stories on his page of the St. Mary’s Centre website: http://www.st-marys-centre.org.uk/resources/TeddyHorsley.html.
 
We warmly invite you to join us in worship online here: 
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Teddy Horsley sends his Epiphanytide greetings to all.

Canon Leslie