Knowledge and love, by Tim Wood God does not care what we eat! This seems to be Paul’s message to the Corinthian church; a shocking statement from an ex-Pharisee! Paul begins his discussion of the food laws, an incredibly sensitive topic at the time, by contrasting knowledge and love. “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” Embracing Change, by Rev. Dr. Nancy Cocks One of the gifts that the Magi present to us, which unfolds in the stories of Epiphany, is the willingness to embrace change. Their journey to the Christ Child explores the significance of a mysterious new birth, a change sure to upset the order of things. When they begin to sense the danger percolating in that moment, the Magi change their travel plans. All of us who travel know that changing plans takes effort! Speaking up and listening, by Cyrus Gervais As a young Indigenous male, who does not at all look the part, I have heard the words, “What good can come from there?” many times in my life. In our reading from John, Nathanael speaks of Nazareth as a place from which no good can come, a place whose people don’t deserve a second look. Witnesses and water, by Deacon Rennie Nahanee Witnesses are very important in the Indigenous community of the Squamish Nation where I am from. One example is after a funeral luncheon, there is a special ceremony by which several people are called by their name (usually ancestral, but sometimes common name) to witness what is going to take place. Becoming Displaced for Christ, by Victoria Blanco The term ‘epiphany’ comes from the Greek word έπιφάνεια [epiphainein] meaning ‘appearing’, ‘manifestation’ or ‘glorious display.’ In part it encapsulates the deep longing for an encounter with a gracious and life-giving God, and in part it embraces the invitation for all people to know and make known God’s life-giving purpose. Yet, how does this invitation present itself? KAIROS in 2018, by Fay Edmonds, gsic As we live into the early days of 2018, we know that these are perilous times that challenge us to risk speaking truth to power. They call us to be more determined than ever to be alert to opportunities for people of faith to engage in life with courage and hope. |
