Living the Lectionary

Fourth Sunday after

Epiphany

Season: Epiphany
Week of January 30

“Blessed in Weakness”

About the Season: We are in the season of

“Epiphany”. Epiphany is a season that shows us the
part of Christ’s life when He and His teaching
becomes known to many people. It is a time of
displaying and manifesting Christ in our personal and
public lives.
About this Sunday: This week, the readings point
to how Christ displayed His love for the world
through becoming weakened and put to death on a
cross. His weakness is ironically the victory and
strength that we hold on to in our faith.

Reflecting on the Readings:

• Micah 6:1-8 – Humble Requirements – Micah
points out that God seeks the humble
requirements of justice, kindness, and humility
over lavish gifts and shows of strength. Do
these “requirements” show up in your life?
• Psalm 15 – Dwelling in Honor – The Psalmist
points out that it is those who are honorable,
not flashy, who are allowed to dwell with the
king. Are you more honorable or more flashy?
• I Corinthians 1:18-31 – Choosing the Weak -
Paul points out that God chooses the weak to
shame the strong. How have you allowed Him
to humble you so that His glory might be
displayed in your life?
• Matthew 5:1-12 – Blessed in Weakness –
Jesus does not bless the strong, but those
considered weak and subdued. Which of these
blessings do you most identify with?
Law and Gospel:
• Law: Triumphalism, boasting, and bragging.
These are the things that people often bring up
as things they dislike about others. What do
you brag about? Or have you given in to the
bragging of others and falsely given up,
thinking no one would think highly of you?
• Gospel: The world looks at your circumstances
(your grades, your money, your stuff, your
place). God looks at your relationships (with
Him, with His church, with other people). God
fixed your relationship with Him because that
was more important than any circumstance.
 What gifts of relationship has He given you and
how can you focus more on those?
Living the Lectionary Ideas:
• Learn: The “theology of the cross” is a key to
understanding Lutheran theology as a whole.
Do you know what it is?
• Do: A good practice of humility is to spend
sometime with someone who would normally
be considered “beneath you”.
• Live: Humbly. Consider it your aim to be
humble about your situation in life this week
and serve those less fortunate (socially,
economically, physically) than yourself.