Neli ML

  Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany Mathew 5,1-12 Rev. Neli Miranda Honor and shame were two polar opposites in the social system that structured daily life of the Israelite society in the first century. In Jesus’ time, the recognition of honor was mainly related to the socioeconomic status of one’s family and the possession of land and wealth. By contrast, shame was related to an individual’s or the family’s loss of status or the loss of land and wealth. Both honor and shame were subjective feelings, but they were also positions ascribed by society according to its own social conventions. So, being recognized as honorable and not falling into shame was a continuous social struggle for many. In Jesus’ time, the elite claimed honor by making evident the large portions of land, servants, and wealth they possessed; by wearing elegant clothing and jewelry, serving ostentatious meals, receiving honors in public, displaying power with violence, among other practices. The honor held by

Third Sunday after the Epiphany Isaiah 9:1-4; Matthew 4:12-23 Rev. Neli Miranda   The Epiphany comes to us today from Galilee, a region in northern Israel, where Jesus inaugurates the Kingdom of God. During the monarchy this region was occupied by the tribes of Zebulun, Naphtali and Asher and was part of the northern kingdom of Israel until its invasion and colonization by the Assyrians in the 8 th century BC. This situation of oppression and suffering is pointed out by the prophet Isaiah in the first lesson where he proclaims hope and redemption for the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, “ The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined” (Isaiah 9,2) Eight centuries later, Matthew recalls Isaiah’s announcement about the liberation and redemption of this region and puts it in the light of the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, which now suffers under Roman control. Matthew tells us that Jesus

  Second Sunday after the Epiphany John 1:29-40 Rev. Neli Miranda   On January 6, our Christian tradition celebrates Epiphany Day, a feast day to celebrate the manifestation of God incarnate in the baby Jesus, who is worshiped like a king by the magi who represent all the peoples of   the earth. From this day, the biblical lessons bring us memories that reveal the divinity of Jesus. Last Sunday, for instance, at his baptism, we heard a voice from heaven saying, “This is my Son, The Beloved, with whom I am well pleased”. Today, we read a particular remembrance from John the Evangelist, who collects John the Baptist’s memories related to Jesus’ baptism and the beginning of his ministry. So far, John the Baptist’s proclamation about the coming of the One Sent by God has raised great expectation amid the people, and he has gained prominence in such a way that some believe he is the Messiah. However, he denies it and rather than exalting himself, the Baptist, with great commitmen