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Fifth Sunday After Epiphany • Year B
February 4, 2024
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Historical Collect
Stand watch over your family, O Lord, that we who depend entirely on your heavenly grace may always be protected in the mighty fortress of your love; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Gelasian Sacramentary, 7th Century)
Thematic Collect
Immortal and everlasting God, through your power are the weak made strong and the ill made whole in body, mind, and spirit. Strengthen us through your Son’s presence in Word and Sacrament that we may be bearers of your grace to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Common Thread
God takes a special pleasure in those people who fear him, or as Luther said, who “fear, love, and trust God above all things.” This is what it means to have no other gods before him. Have you not heard? His steadfast love is extended to those who fear him, who wait or hope only in him. And we have good reason for this hope, since we have been saved through the gospel of Christ. So we preach his gospel and suffer for his sake. Yet we do not depend upon these works, since we fear and hope in God alone. Rather this trust impels us to preach his good news, for the one we fear and love and trust has sent us to do so, even as he was sent to preach. Trusting in him, we go out with renewed strength, making disciples of the nations.
First Reading • Isaiah 40:21-31
General revelation declares the “eternal power and divine nature” (Rom 1:20) and the glory of the God of creation (Psa 19:1-4). That there is a god is “clearly perceived” in what he created. Who God is may be up for clarification but denying there is a creator is inexcusable. “Lift up your eyes and see!”
Psalm • Psalm 147:1-11
We have various names for stars, such as Sirius and Rigel, and even for constellations, like Andromeda and Pegasus. Yet God named them long before humanity ever had the thought to do so. Scientists study the stars and have learned much but only God knows the true character of the stars, for he created them all. This same God who created the expanse of the heavens, cares for people—even the outcast among us. He provides food for beast and bird. And he takes great pleasure in those who revere him and hope in the faithfulness of his loving care.
Second Reading • 1 Corinthians 9:16-27
Charles Spurgeon is known as the “prince of preachers.” If so, Paul might be lauded as the king. Yet, Paul would never have thought so. He was compelled to preach the Gospel; he preached in obedience to a calling by God. His whole person was employed in this great cause.
Gospel • Mark 1:29-39
Two pericopes earlier than this reading, Jesus called his first disciples on the shores of Galilee. Upon entering the synagogue in Capernaum, he healed a man with an unclean spirit; then, he healed many at the beginning of our reading. Just after our reading, he was back to healing—first a leper and then a paralytic. The second half of the reading (verses 35-39) should be our focus, since it was the emphasis for Jesus. All of the healing demanded Jesus' focusing in prayer that resulted in moving on to the next town. He moved on, not so much to heal as to preach. Though he continued to heal and cast out demons, his emphasis was preaching.
Resources
Links to Worship Resources for this Service
