Note: This sermon was not preached during the regularly scheduled service due to the snow storm experienced in the CSRA on 2/1. This content is a Saint Paul's Pod exclusive.

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The Song of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis) is a prayer of praise spoken by the prophet Simeon in Luke 2:29-32 when he sees the infant Jesus at the Temple. It is a declaration of fulfillment and readiness for death, acknowledging Jesus as the promised salvation, light to the Gentiles, and glory of Israel.

Father Biddy offers the idea of a second song from Simeon; one that recognizes the struggle. During this time in Israel, there are hardships and those in power are actively choosing darkness. Simeon’s perseverance of hope allows him to see Jesus clearly. While the Kingdom of God has come near, we must continue to seek truth. When God’s salvation has come, the nations will see the truth and the faithful will see glory.

God calls us to be the light shining in the darkness. The light shall overcome.

Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.

A relationship with God is not a checklist. Checking the boxes won’t cut it. We cannot have blind eyes. We activate our relationship with God by seeking justice and rescuing the oppressed.

God is right where we are always. The mystery of God is not hidden. God’s love and compassion is seen in Jesus. So listen carefully as God calls you to be light in dark spaces, a spiritual conduit of His kingdom.

Love God and love people.

Jesus sends his followers out as sheep amid wolves. But he doesn’t send us out alone. God’s presence in our lives is guiding us through our response to struggle.

Salvation lies in staying faithful. We love our enemies. If we share the radical love of God, we find a purposeful life. By proclaiming and embodying the kingdom of God, we change hearts.

Jesus is the light of the world. Our light will illumine others, so God is known, worshipped and obeyed.

The light of Christ is the divine energy and power of God through Jesus. Be the light in the dark. The light guides toward truth and love. It shifts our heart posture to see others in a new way. Commitment, courage and compassion fuel our light.

Have you ever tried to keep a tune while others are singing a different song? It is hard. By renewing our baptismal covenant, we renew and recommit to the song we know of God’s love.

We must renew and recommit regularly, so that the screaming around us won’t throw us catastrophically off key from our song. We know being loud doesn’t make one right. The love of God is what shines in the darkness.

The world wants our hearts to be hardened. But we must remember that many believers have walked difficult paths. We must renew our devotion to peace and see traces of God in all people. Every single person is a beloved child of God. Let us be the means that others can know Jesus.

During the Feast of Epiphany, we celebrate Jesus appearing to the gentiles.

God created this space so we all could participate in the mystery of Jesus. The wisemen came from different nations and cultures. Despite their differences, they were invited to accept he mystery of Christ. They were not fascinated or mesmerized by power. They were transformed by the love Jesus emanated.

The Gift of Jesus shows how God’s love is transnational. It does not discriminate. God defends the needy, delivers the poor and pities the lowly.

So how can we today be faithful when times feel dark and heavy?

Look up, find a star and remember God has the whole world in his hands.

When John the Baptist is imprisoned for speaking out, he is most relatable, his weakest and the most like us.

When life has not gone according to plan and our expectations are not met, we may feel lost. This is when doubt and uncertainty can only be overcome by the truth of the Gospel.

When John questions the truth of the Gospel, Jesus doesn’t respond with a miracle on demand but instead he asks his disciples to report what they hear and see. The only proof John needed, or we need today is the lives that have been transformed by the love of God.

Overcome the doubt and uncertainty today by remembering how you have been transformed by the love of God. Love has made the way clear for us to be a part of the reason for hope.

Matthew’s story of John the Baptist reminds us of his remarkable life in the wilderness, uncompromising calls for repentance, direct confrontation with corruption and championing for justice at all costs. He lived by anything but the cultural norms.

John’s vision of redemption meant complete destruction of the world. But Jesus comes along to show us that God’s love can transform.

The world is pregnant with the kingdom of God. Bruised and confused, the world is the one God loves so much that he became a part of it with Jesus.

We can’t pretend the world today is the kingdom, but we don’t need to burn it to the ground. We need to live radically to see all human beings with the love of God. Loving the world and one another to be destined for redemption not destruction.