January 11, 2022

The beauty of bare limbs against a dawning winter sky is no small thing. The skeletal form of a Japanese Maple, its sinews open for inspection, tender but sturdy, enduring the frigid temps. A little like King Lear’s description of human beings bereft of glitz and trappings: “Unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor, bare, forked, animal….”

We are both body and soul; the soul somehow feels closer to the bare limbs of winter. In any case, here is a nice blessing from John’s 3rd Epistle: “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” (3 John 2)

“Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Second Sunday after the Epiphany – BCP)