Epiphany Week One
LIBERATION LECTIONARY ~ Epiphany Sunday
Revealing
“Such as I am, I am a precious gift.” Zora Neale Hurston
Artwork - Kelechi Charles Nwaneri
This Week’s Scripture & Lesson Daniel 2
This week we begin the season celebrating Epiphany, a time when we honor the God who reveals. Traditionally the word Epiphany means “manifestation of a divine being”. And the biblical story used to mark Epiphany season is that of the mystic astronomers who travel from lands east of Judea to find Jesus when he was a baby. The season is marked by gift giving, in the tradition of the Magi (another name that we call the group of astronomers.) who brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the home where Joseph and Mary had settled with Jesus.
We will return to this story over the season of revealing, but we also can take this time to notice God’s revealing work throughout the story of scripture. This week, let’s learn about the prophet Daniel, who received many gifts from God in a time when he was taken captive, moved far away from his home and family, enslaved to servitude, and forced to learn how to survive in a culture that assumed he was of less value than others. Daniel was not only gifted to be wise, he was given visions and prophecies by God. He spoke truth to people in power, and refused to worship other humans. In this week’s story, Daniel saved many lives by praying for God’s help. The Lord gave him a power of revealing - so that he could describe and interpret a dream.
Read Daniel Chapter 2. If you are not familiar with the story of Daniel, start with chapter 1.
Daniel is fully aware of his value, no matter what others might think. He also has godly wisdom and holy cunning to make things work when the odds are against him. It is possible in the mind of many scholars who interpret this text that Daniel goes too far by addressing the king as “king of kings”, and remaining in an exalted position in the court. Others believe he was doing what he knew would be best for their survival, and did not compromise his faithfulness to God by anything he said. The king’s dream itself is a strong warning that there is no great King except God. And no wonder he was troubled by the dream, some of the parts of it seem rather obvious!
The story of Daniel teaches us that God can manifest and reveal their truth in anyone. Jesus is the ultimate revealing of the person of God, because he is the person and power of God. This is why we call Jesus the Light of the World, because Jesus was present when the Light was called into existence. More than that, Jesus is the Word that God spoke to make the Light.
Since that Light lives with us, the Holy Spirit of God moves through all creation to manifest (or reveal) that light wherever the Lord says so. Daniel’s revealing work helped to save people that did not even respect him! Daniel’s revealing work was a gift from God. And God’s revealing work is completed, finalized, in the humanity of Jesus. This work was started long before Daniel, who lived long before Jesus came to earth. So when we celebrate Epiphany this season, remember that the Light of the World has been shining since the beginning. It has shined through history, and it cannot be put out - by corruption or captivity, kings, or anything that comes against the Lord’s revealing.
Discussion
What did you learn about Daniel and his character?
What do you think about Daniel’s manner of speaking to the king?
This story ends with exiled people gaining positions of power in the places where they were also held captive. Is that power real?
How would you use the power that Daniel and his friends gain?
What are some interesting parts of the story that stick with you?
Share any confusing parts of the story that you want to learn more about?
How does Daniel’s story teach or inspire?
Meditation & Prayer this Week: Daniel’s Prayer
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are The Lord’s.
God changes times and seasons; deposes kings and raises up others.
God gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
God reveals deep and hidden things; God knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Them.
I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”
Daniel 2.20-23
Music & Meditation: Light
India Arie
In this song from India Arie, “Light of the Holy Spirit” she repeats the words: “There is a light, a holy light
There is a light - That is shining for you. Coming in to make you holy. Shining for you, coming in to make you whole. There is a love, a holy love. There is a love.” Use these as an encouragement and reminder for your own spirit and the people around you. Show love and light to everyone and let the Holy Spirit reveal their holy light.
As you meditate to this music, or prayer, body movement or silent mindfulness this week, light a candle and give thanks to God for someone who has been a source a revealing in your life.
This week we celebrate the birthday of Zora Neale Hurston. One of the most gifted writers of her time, and certainly one whose work was meaningfully revealing. Zora was an anthropologist. She studied people groups, history and culture. She was also known to never diminish her own value. She saw herself as a gift to her field. She knew her worth, and she loved her work. She studied constantly and wrote many stories of the beauty, power and passion of Black people. It is apropos that we celebrate Epiphany season during her birthday. Her work and her words continue to be revealed as an invaluable gift to many communities.