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Morning Devotion for the Season of Epiphany

February 7, 2024

The Invitatory

I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

Reading: Romans 12:1-8

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

Meditation: Jo Ann B. Jones

Paul turns to our attention to body-language. This body language matches the heart and mind for those who “live according to the [Holy] Spirit,” No wonder he calls both his readers and us to consider the true transformation that would effect. It is a challenge, indeed a calling for all time, that is, to reckon with the culture in which one lives – its practices, values and power. Ultimately, one then must wrestle with how one lives therefrom. Indeed a potential outcome of that very struggle has the capacity that would or should work a transformation within one.

What is the response to God’s grace and living into God’s hospitality? I am deeply affected by the sense of humanity which has been both created and redeemed by God, the enormity of these gifts and the faithfulness to us. This is a vision of the outcome of what was wrought for us on the cross. What it would mean for humankind is truly countercultural.

I do not imagine that human beings are much different in this age than the ones about and to whom Paul is writing. We go about our lives often unconscious about the culture in which we live, much like fish who swim in the ocean, a stream, a pond or a fish bowl or tank. Unless someone with an entirely different perspective points out certain things to us, we may be oblivious. The mere suggestion of a reorientation is difficult to imagine, let alone effect.

Paul’s message, if approached with both an open mind and heart is still quite challenging, but thrilling, exhilarating and, ultimately, hopeful since we are invited to a renewing of our minds. There is another way with a providential outcome! Why else would he suggest that we have gifts, gifts that come in a wide variety of expressions and probably of effectiveness? But different does not mean less or more. There is no quantitative or qualitative assessment of them. That is exciting, encouraging and hopeful. It reminds us that we are, indeed, created by God, tie giver of good gifts. When we think how rooted together we are by God’s activity and will, the possibilities again should seem endless and life-giving.

The “transformed thinking,” if allowed, will enrich all. The ever increasing interrelationships of these God-given roles and functions for the benefit of fellow believers and safeguards one individual’s ego from becoming dominant. New behavior and values not centered in the culture, but in God and his creation will reset human behavior, turning it toward love of others and desire for true commonwealth. God’s grace will abound.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy Name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.