19 January 2025: Second Sunday after Epiphany – Epiphany 2 Year C
Lectionary Texts: Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 36:5-10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; John 2:1-11
Below, you will find a story and a shorter version (less than 300 words) that could be used as a newsletter reflection. Some sermon topics and ideas based on the Sunday lectionary readings are also included.
The story will be based on one of the topics, which will be identified, and my sermon topic will also be identified.
Faith Seeking Understanding
The heavy weight of the world felt different when you were in the middle of it. The truck rumbled over the rough terrain, its engine struggling against the hills of Normandy. The rain had left everything slick and cold, and the road ahead stretched out like an endless grey ribbon. Sergeant Alan Porter gripped the steering wheel, his eyes focused on the road ahead. His squad sat silently in the back of the truck, the men lost in their thoughts, each one with their own private doubts.
Porter wasn’t sure what bothered him more: the fog that seemed to cling to the village ahead or the nagging questions that had followed them since they were given the mission. They were to find a man—a soldier—and bring him back. That was all. No reason why, no explanation. Just a direct order.
At first, the squad had resisted, quietly complaining behind their breath. They had been sent on too many similar missions. It wasn’t that they lacked resolve; it was just that this one felt different. It didn’t sit right. There was no context. No answers. They were simply to go, find the man, and return him to wherever they were supposed to.
“Sergeant,” said one of the men, Private Grey, breaking the silence. “Do we even know what we’re really doing out here?”
Porter didn’t answer immediately. He’d been asking himself the same thing. They had been briefed, sure, but it felt like something was being left out. A man was waiting for them somewhere in the fog, but that was the extent of the information they had.
“I don’t know, Grey. But we follow the orders,” Porter muttered, though his voice betrayed his hesitation. “That’s what we do.”
But even as he spoke, he couldn’t help but wonder: What if, this time, following orders wasn’t enough?
The village was empty when they arrived—eerily so. The streets were quiet, with no signs of civilian life, no soldiers, just the abandoned remnants of a town that seemed to have been deserted long ago. The squad moved cautiously, eyes scanning the area for any sign of life.
They reached an old house on the outskirts of the village and paused to regroup. It was here that they would begin their search. The dim light of the late afternoon barely cut through the grey clouds overhead, casting long shadows across the cracked pavement.
“Stay sharp,” Porter said, his voice low but firm. “If he’s here, we find him fast.”
“Understood, Sergeant,” Private Dawson replied, his voice tight with anxiety.
Porter’s thoughts swirled. They had been given orders, but now he was beginning to doubt whether they should be following them at all. They were walking blindly into something they didn’t understand, and that gnawed at him more than any enemy fire ever could.
After what felt like hours of searching the deserted village, a figure finally appeared. It was a man, barely more than a boy really, standing at the end of a narrow alley, staring at them. His clothes were worn, his face covered in dirt, and there was something in his posture that made Porter hesitate.
Was this the man they were supposed to find? The soldier they’d been sent for?
“Are you… him?” Porter called out, his voice hesitant.
The man didn’t respond at first. He just stood there, his face unreadable. Then, slowly, he started to approach.
“I’m Luke,” the man said, his voice rough but calm. He stopped a few feet from Porter. “You’re here to take me somewhere, right?”
Porter studied him carefully. There was a weariness in his eyes, a burden far heavier than any of them could truly understand. But something about his presence unsettled Porter. He had seen the look of someone who was waiting to be found but also someone who had long ago given up on being saved.
“We’ve been sent for you,” Porter said, his voice firming though his mind was still clouded with doubt. “We’re taking you with us.”
The man, Luke, gave a slight shake of his head as if the idea didn’t make sense to him.
“I don’t need to be saved,” Luke said flatly. “Not by you.”
Porter felt the weight of his words. The reluctance wasn’t just from them. It was from Luke, too. He didn’t want to go with them—he didn’t want to be pulled away from this place, even if it was a place of silence and solitude. But why? Porter couldn’t figure it out.
“Look, we’ve got our orders,” Porter said, trying to keep his voice steady. “We’re here to bring you back. That’s all.”
Luke stared at him for a long moment as though searching for something. Then, almost imperceptibly, he nodded.
“I’ll go,” he said quietly, his voice lacking any real conviction. “But you don’t understand. It’s not about orders. Not anymore.”
As they walked through the streets of the village, heading back to their extraction point, Porter couldn’t shake the unease that had settled in his chest. They were following orders, yes, but the questions were growing. What was the point of this mission? Was it really about saving a man, or was it about fulfilling a duty that nobody was truly questioning?
The squad moved quickly, keeping their heads low. The tension between them was palpable, the doubts simmering beneath the surface. They all wanted to follow the orders, but none of them felt sure anymore. And, for the first time, Porter wasn’t sure either.
Luke walked in silence beside them, the weight of his own thoughts heavy in his every step. He didn’t look back, didn’t question them anymore. He had given up trying to make sense of it.
As they reached the extraction point, Porter turned to the others. They had done their job—they had obeyed—but there was still something hollow in the victory. They hadn’t understood the mission. They hadn’t understood him. They had simply followed the orders.
Porter looked at Luke once more. The soldier’s face was unreadable, but there was a quiet acceptance in his eyes.
The helicopter lifted off, carrying them away from the village. As the landscape of Normandy grew smaller beneath them, Porter couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to obedience than just following orders. Was there a place for doubt in this world of blind faith? Would they ever really understand the cost of what they had done?
Disclaimer: This story is inspired by the themes and narrative structure of the film Saving Private Ryan. Any similarities to real events are purely coincidental.
Faith Seeking Understanding
(shorter version)
The heavy weight of the world felt different when you were in the middle of it. The truck rumbled over the rough terrain, its engine struggling against the hills of Normandy. The rain had left everything slick and cold, and the road ahead stretched out like an endless grey ribbon. Sergeant Alan Porter gripped the steering wheel, his eyes focused on the road ahead. His squad sat silently in the back of the truck, the men lost in their thoughts, each one with their own private doubts.
Porter wasn’t sure what bothered him more: the fog that seemed to cling to the village ahead or the nagging questions that had followed them since they were given the mission. They were to find a man—a soldier—and bring him back. That was all. No reason why, no explanation. Just a direct order.
At first, the squad had resisted, quietly complaining behind their breath. They had been sent on too many similar missions. It wasn’t that they lacked resolve; it was just that this one felt different. It didn’t sit right. There was no context. No answers. They were simply to go, find the man, and return him to wherever they were supposed to.
“Sergeant,” said one of the men, Private Grey, breaking the silence. “Do we even know what we’re really doing out here?”
Porter didn’t answer immediately. He’d been asking himself the same thing. They had been briefed, sure, but it felt like something was being left out. A man was waiting for them somewhere in the fog, but that was the extent of the information they had.
“I don’t know, Grey. But we follow the orders,” Porter muttered, though his voice betrayed his hesitation. “That’s what we do.”
But even as he spoke, he couldn’t help but wonder: What if, this time, following orders wasn’t enough?
Sermon Topics and Ideas
- A Love That Delights, Not Just Redeems
- Scripture: Isaiah 62:1-5
- Explore God’s love in Isaiah 62 as more than duty—its delight, likened to the joy of a bridegroom over a bride.
- Discuss the transformative power of knowing God delights in us, not just tolerates us.
- Reflect on how we can mirror this delight in our relationships and actions.
- Salvation Beyond the Church Walls
- Scripture: Isaiah 62:1-5
- The Broader Vision of Isaiah 62:
- Explore the imagery of Jerusalem as a “crown of beauty” and a “royal diadem.” This reflects God’s intention to use Jerusalem as a symbol of hope, justice, and salvation—not for Israel alone but as a light to the nations.
- Highlight the inclusivity of this vision. God’s love and salvation are not confined to a single group but are extended to all creation.
- The Church’s Struggle with Exclusivity:
- Acknowledge the church’s historical tendency to claim ownership of salvation, often tied to cultural or denominational superiority.
- Discuss how this exclusivity has manifested in harmful ways, such as colonialism, exclusion of marginalised groups, and interfaith hostility.
- Reflect on the ways churches today might unintentionally create barriers to God’s salvation, such as judgmental attitudes or rigid traditions.
- God’s Call to Radical Hospitality:
- Compare the church to Jerusalem in Isaiah 62. Just as God calls Jerusalem to be a light to the nations, the church is called to embody God’s love and justice for all people.
- Emphasise the importance of humility: the church is not the gatekeeper of salvation but a witness to God’s grace.
- Explore the implications of this for interfaith relationships, social justice, and community engagement.
- The Example of Jesus:
- Connect this theme with the Gospel reading (John 2:1-11). Jesus’ first miracle was performed at a wedding, a communal celebration—not in a synagogue or temple.
- Reflect on how Jesus consistently extended God’s grace beyond religious boundaries, welcoming sinners, outsiders, and those considered unworthy by societal standards.
- Our Role in Extending Salvation:
- Challenge the congregation to see themselves as instruments of God’s salvation in their communities.
- Discuss practical ways to extend God’s love to others, such as supporting interfaith dialogue, standing with marginalised groups, and engaging in acts of justice and mercy.
- Next Steps:
- Personal Reflection: Encourage the congregation to examine their own attitudes and actions. Are they welcoming and inclusive, or do they unintentionally create barriers?
- Practical Outreach: Challenge the church to take specific steps toward radical hospitality. This could include hosting interfaith events, supporting refugee resettlement efforts, or partnering with organisations that serve marginalised communities.
- Commitment to Justice: Inspire the congregation to embody God’s vision of justice by advocating for systemic change that reflects God’s love for all people.
- Abundant Love or Reckless Generosity?
- Scripture: Psalm 36:5-10
- Points for Development:
- Examine the idea of God’s steadfast love reaching all creation—how do we reconcile this with the existence of evil and suffering?
- Explore the balance between mercy and accountability. Does God’s love risk being perceived as permissive?
- Discuss how we, as imitators of God’s love, can balance generosity with discernment in our own lives.
- Next Steps: Invite the congregation to practise radical generosity in the week ahead, reflecting on its impact on both the giver and the receiver.
- What About Those Left Out?
- Scripture: Psalm 36:5-10
- Points for Development:
- Discuss whether God’s love truly feels abundant to those in marginalised communities (e.g., refugees and the homeless).
- Reflect on how societal structures might block the flow of God’s abundance to those who need it most.
- Explore the role of the church in actively extending God’s abundance to all.
- Next Steps: Commit to tangible actions as a church—such as supporting local charities or hosting community events—to embody God’s abundance for others.
- Are Spiritual Gifts a Source of Unity or Division?
- Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
- The Context of Corinth:
- Explore the divisions within the Corinthian church, where some gifts (like speaking in tongues or prophecy) were seen as more prestigious than others.
- Highlight how this mirrors issues in modern churches, where visible or charismatic gifts (e.g., preaching, music) often receive more recognition than behind-the-scenes gifts (e.g., administration, hospitality).
- Reflect on Paul’s emphasis that all gifts come from the same Spirit and are given for the common good, not for personal pride or competition.
- The Danger of Comparison and Competition:
- Discuss how comparing spiritual gifts can lead to jealousy, resentment, and division within a church community.
- Reflect on how focusing on individual gifts can create hierarchies and undermine the church’s mission of unity and service.
- Relate this to personal experiences in congregations where certain ministries or roles are valued more than others, causing people to feel undervalued or excluded.
- Unity Through Diversity:
- Emphasise Paul’s metaphor of the body, where every part is essential, and no part is more important than another.
- Explore how recognising the value of all gifts can strengthen the church’s mission, fostering collaboration and mutual support.
- Discuss the challenge of embracing diversity within the church, including cultural, theological, and personal differences, as part of living out the Spirit’s unity.
- Recognising and Celebrating All Gifts:
- Reflect on the importance of creating a church culture where all gifts are celebrated and utilised, not just those that are visible or traditionally esteemed.
- Challenge the congregation to identify and affirm gifts in themselves and others, especially those that might go unnoticed.
- Explore how empowering people to use their gifts can help them feel valued and connected to the community.
- Practical Application for Today:
- Examine how spiritual gifts might cause division in contemporary churches (e.g., debates over worship styles, theology, or leadership structures).
- Discuss ways to resolve these divisions by focusing on shared goals and the Spirit’s work in building the Fellowship of God.
- Next Steps:
- Personal Reflection: Encourage each member to reflect on their own gifts and how they are using them to serve the church. Ask them to consider whether they might be undervaluing their own gifts or others’.
- Community Affirmation: Suggest creating a space in the church to publicly recognise and celebrate a variety of gifts. For example, a “Gifts in Action” segment in services or a social media series showcasing members’ contributions.
- Workshop on Spiritual Gifts: Organise a spiritual gifts workshop or inventory session to help people identify their gifts and find ways to use them in service to the church and community.
- Commitment to Unity: Challenge the church to intentionally address divisions by focusing on shared mission and values, not individual preferences or competition.
- Who Decides What Gifts Are Useful?
- Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
- Points for Development:
- Examine biases within the church that elevate some gifts (e.g., preaching, music) over others (e.g., hospitality, administration).
- Discuss how Paul’s message calls us to respect all gifts as given by the same Spirit.
- Reflect on how we might unintentionally discourage people from using their gifts.
- Next Steps: Create a spiritual gifts inventory or discovery session to help members identify and use their gifts.
- Why Would Jesus Waste a Miracle on Wine?
- Scripture: John 2:1-11
- Points for Development:
- Explore the cultural and theological significance of wine as a symbol of joy, abundance, and transformation.
- Discuss the perceived triviality of this miracle compared to others (e.g., healing, feeding the hungry).
- Reflect on what this story says about God’s concern for human celebration and the “ordinary” parts of life.
- Next Steps: Encourage the congregation to recognise and celebrate God’s presence in their daily joys and blessings, perhaps through a gratitude challenge or shared community meal.
- Obedience and Blind Faith: Do We Still Have to Listen? †
- Scripture: John 2:1-11
- Mary’s Role in Jesus’ Formation:
- Emphasise Mary’s role as Jesus’ first teacher and mentor in the Jewish tradition. She would have taught him to pray, to know Scripture, and to understand God’s covenant with Israel.
- Reflect on how Jesus’ decision to act at the wedding may reflect respect for Mary’s wisdom as both a parent and a spiritual guide. Her confidence in his response stems not just from trust but also from a deep understanding of the faith she helped cultivate in him.
- Jesus’ Initial Reluctance:
- Examine Jesus’ words: “My hour has not yet come.” His reluctance suggests an awareness of divine timing and a hesitance to act outside of that framework.
- Highlight the shift in Jesus’ response: While he seems unwilling at first, he ultimately chooses to act, honouring Mary’s request.
- Reflect on what this change reveals about the relationship between personal discernment and the influence of trusted mentors. Jesus respects Mary not just as his mother but as someone who understands the nature of his calling.
- The Life Lesson in Jesus’ Change of Heart:
- Explore the idea that even Jesus models a willingness to reconsider and respond to others’ wisdom and insight. This teaches us the importance of humility and openness to change, even when we think we know the right path.
- Consider how moments of reluctance in our own lives can be transformed when we trust the guidance of those we respect and recognise the opportunities to glorify God.
- Obedience Rooted in Trust and Love:
- Highlight the mutual respect and trust in the story. Mary trusts Jesus to act, and Jesus honours Mary’s faith and wisdom, demonstrating that obedience is not passive but relational.
- Explore how both Mary and Jesus show faith in God’s larger plan—Mary by confidently instructing the servants and Jesus by choosing to act despite his initial hesitation.
- Next Steps:
- Encourage the congregation to reflect on moments when they have felt reluctant to act and consider the wisdom of those who guide them. Challenge them to practise humility and openness, especially when trusted mentors or loved ones encourage them to step forward in faith.
- Suggest they reflect on how they can honour the teachings and influence of those who shaped their spiritual journey by acting in ways that reflect God’s purpose and love.
† The story above is based on this Topic
‡ My sermon will be based on these Topics/ideas
Other Lectionary Resources
These resources are based on the lectionary readings.
- A Sermon for every Sunday – FREE lectionary-based video sermons by America’s best preachers for use in worship, Bible study, small groups, Sunday school classes, or for individual use. All you do is push the button.
- Laughing Bird – a gift to the wider Church from the South Yarra Community Baptist Church in Melbourne, Australia. Has several sermons, prayers and the lectionary bible readings.
- The Lutheran Church of Australia – A worship planning resource that includes many parts of the service, including song selections, sermons, visual arts, children’s resources, and others.
- Lectionary Liturgies – A full liturgy for each Sunday based on the lectionary readings for the week. These are liturgies that I prepare for the congregation I serve and make available to others.
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