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, worshiped, 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.

I have been growing plants in hydroponic units for several years now. A friend got me started, sending me my first unit as a Christmas gift. Since then, I have many times started, grown, sometimes transplanted, and harvested a bounty. They are simple devices. Seeds are placed in small organic cones which are held in plastic cages suspended in plant food enriched water. Key to the whole system appears to be the constant aeration of the water and the light system. Above each unit is a panel of red, blue, and white lights that cycle on and off stimulating plant growth. These make great night lights, by the way.

Together, living water and light bring growth and a harvest. But there is something more. There are times when those lights reveal things that do not belong. Anyone else battling with Asian ladybugs and stink bugs? If not the occasional bug, the lights sometimes reveal yellowing, stunted growth, algae and other funky stuff. The light brings growth but also reveals when and where correction is needed.

In this Epiphany season, light figures prominently in our prayers and our Sunday lectionary. The wise men are guided by the light of a star to find the Lord. John the evangelist says that the Light shines into the darkness. John the Baptizer says he is not the light but has come to testify to the Light that has come into the world. In this Epiphany season, light is shed upon the one who is the Light, revealing to us who he is. And this Light, who is life-giving, shines upon us and the world.

What happens when we turn on and turn up the lights? There are occasions when I will be puttering around in the basement and go into a closet or drop something that rolls under the workbench. Out comes a flashlight to help me peer into the darkness. YIKES! Bugs and dust and whatever that thing used to be! And what was that thing that scurried away?

Like turning on and up the lights in our homes, the Light shines upon us, upon our lives as individuals and as a faith community. We should ask ourselves what the light reveals. An honest answer might say that we see some good, healthy life and growth in our faith and practice, but also some sign that there is decay, there is some clean up required, but also the potential for new growth if we recommit ourselves to the life-giving path of following the light of Christ, living and loving and serving as he did and as he calls us to do likewise.

So, in this season of light, what does the Light shining upon you and us reveal? I cannot say what is the answer for you, but read the word of God and your heart will.
Epiphany illumination be God’s gift to you,
Fr. Bill+