“…. anthems be to thee addressed, God in flesh made manifest.” ELW 310
Songs of Thankfulness and Praise has always been a favorite hymn of mine, ever since I had to memorize it for a Concordia College Christmas Concert. Epiphany and the Sundays that follow make up a season with stories which show forth who Jesus Christ truly is. The magi’s visit, Jesus’ baptism, the call of disciples, casting out demons, healing, and the transfiguration are all epiphanies, moments in which God in Jesus Christ is made manifest.
It always struck me as an interesting coincidence that Time after Epiphany overlaps with at least the beginning of the state legislative sessions. In the first few weeks of the session (both Washington and Idaho’s sessions begin Jan. 8 this year), citizens get manifestations of the legislative bodies, through bills, speeches, meetings, and local reporting. We talk often in the church about how Jesus made sure people on the margins were brought into the main story; these individuals often take primary space in the pages of the four gospels. As people following Jesus, our eyes and ears should be attuned to what space the marginalized today have in legislative bills and at their hearings.
As we collectively prepare for the legislative season, I think we also do well to borrow the language Franciscan Father Richard Rohr used when naming his Center for Action and Contemplation. Jesus himself modeled both of these—casting out demons, feeding, and healing and then stepping away to pray. We are called to both advocacy and prayer, always both. Some of us are more gifted or our natural charisms may lean into one or the other, but as communities of faith we should hold these two together and probably in conversation.
Our new worship resource, All Creation Sings, has an abundance of prayers for the individual and assembly. I love the first two in the Faithful Living section, the first for each of us and the second for public servants (p. 50). The ELCA has a plethora of resources for advocating on a variety of issues. Our synod supports the Faith Action Network in Washington and in Idaho I found many active coalitions that are issue specific.
The ELCA recently posted the DRAFT ELCA Social Statement on Civic Life and Faith. The Introduction begins, “Daily we are to pray as Jesus taught: ‘Your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.’ These words teach us that God’s will seeks the well-being of creation and all aspects of human life, including civil society (Micah 6:8) and the blessing of the gospel to join God’s work in society….” I encourage you to read the draft and comment. The Civic Life and Faith study is also still available and very well done.
But also stay informed about the state legislatures, your local city council and school board, and planning and zoning commissions. Write emails expressing why your faith compels you to speak for those whose voices are hushed or silenced. And pray for public servants, those in your congregation, those you agree with, and those you disagree with. Pray for your own neighborhood.
We are also called to listen. Listening is crucial to both prayer and advocacy. It is a huge part of Christian discipleship, to listen—to the Word of God through scripture, to neighbors and strangers and friends, to the stirrings in our own souls, to other followers of Jesus, to people who society tries to mute, and to the Holy Spirit.
German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote this about listening, “The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists in listening to them. Just as love to God begins with listening to His Word, so the beginning of love for the brethren is learning to listen to them. It is God’s love for us that He not only gives us His Word but also lends us His ear,” Life Together.
God be with you as you pray, advocate, and listen in this Time after Epiphany.
Bishop Meggan Manlove