Isaiah 42:1-9
Psalm 29
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 3:13-17

What does it mean to be "chosen?" This is the theme of the First Sunday after Epiphany.

Isaiah speaks of one being chosen to be a "light to the nations," Psalm 29 describes all creation as a chosen vehicle for the revelation of divine power and wisdom, and the historical reading from Acts affirms that all persons, Jews and foreigners, are chosen for God’s salvation. In that same spirit, the Gospel affirms the choice of Jesus as God’s vehicle of salvation and invites each one of us to claim the Christ spirit in our own lives.

You are chosen to be a light to the nations! Our own process of self-creation is our gift to the universe. God’s calling of each one of us joins our own wholeness with the transformation of all life. To fail to answer God’s call is to diminish the impact of God’s presence in our world. God’s choice is for novelty, healing, adventure, and for partnership in bringing forth God’s new creation. In the spirit of the "butterfly effect," the whole world is transformed any time we choose life and beauty.

All things are chosen to be windows of grace! Creation groans, aiming toward its fulfillment, and the Spirit sighs deep within our spirits. The Psalm describes all of nature as a "thin place," to use the language of Celtic spirituality. God’s power is proclaimed in sun, rain, moon, mountains, trees, and oceans. With Abraham Heschel, the only appropriate response is radical amazement at the wonder of the heavens above, the immensity of the universe, the intricacy of the immune system, the warmth of a friend’s touch, the beauty of a spouse’s freckled face, and the joy of a child’s laugh. All things at their depths declare God’s glory and love. In awakening to wonder, even the wonder of our own process of becoming, every moment is an epiphany. In the words of Howard Thurman, "there must be always remaining in everyone’s life some place for the singing of angels, some place for that which is in itself breathlessly beautiful, and, by an inherent prerogative, throws all the rest of life into a new and creative relatedness, something that gathers up into itself all the freshets of experience from drab and commonplace areas of living and grows in one bright white light of penetrating beauty and meaning – then passes. The commonplace is shot through with new glory; old burdens become lighter; deep and ancient wounds lose much of their old, old hurting. A crown is placed over our heads which for the rest of our lives which for the rest of our lives we are trying to grow tall enough to wear. Despite all the crassness of life, despite all the hardness of life, despite all the harsh discords of life, life is saved by the singing of angels."

All people reveal God’s grace! Peter proclaims the universality of God’s love, which embraces friend and foe alike. In Epiphany, we proclaim the unhindered gospel, which inspires persons of all faiths and nations. Wherever there is truth and love, God is its source, whether in centering prayer, a Benedictine chant, the dance of a Sufi, the quiet of an ashram, or the scientific quest. We can be angels to each other and answers to one another’s deepest longings.

All people are God’s sons and daughters! You are my beloved daughter in whom I am well pleased! You are my beloved son in whom I am well pleased! These words are invoked at our birth, our baptism, and with each new day. We are loved not in spite of who we are, but because we are God’s beloved children. The Loving Parent cherishes each child as if there is only one, and all of God’s children with an incomparable love. You are loved, no matter what. This is the word of grace and liberation that will carry us through life’s darkest moments. In times of deepest depression, Martin Luther wrote on his desk time after time, "I was baptized" to remind him that his salvation was in God’s hands and that God would never forsake him. As Psalm 139 proclaims, even darkness is light to God. The dark matrix of divine care is the place where, amid life’s struggles, healing and new life emerges.

Today, we proclaim "I am baptized." The cleansing waters of baptism refresh, enliven, and nurture us each new day. They remind us of God’s original wholeness that shines through any sin or brokenness that might imprison or burden us. You are God’s child. You are loved.

An Adventure in Affirmative Faith
In your preparation for the sermon, once again let the scriptures speak through your life.

You may choose to remember your own baptism imaginatively, or relive your baptism as you take your morning shower as you let God’s healing and nurturing waters flow over you.

In moments of uncertainty, you may choose to affirm "I am God’s beloved son or daughter."

As you ponder your vocation, you may also choose to affirm "I am a light to the nations. God’s light is shining through me."

Bruce Epperly is Professor of Practical Theology and Director of Continuing Education at Lancaster Theological Seminary and co-minister of Disciples United Community Church in Lancaster, PA. He is the author of twelve books including God’s Touch: Faith, Wholeness, and the Healing Miracles of Jesus, Healing Worship: Purpose and Practice; and Reiki Healing Touch and the Way of Jesus. His books are availabe at Flux Books.

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