1January –29March2012
Readings from
An Australian Lectionary2012
(Year B)
Written by
The Revd
Drew Schmotzer

Pew Reflections – First Quarter 2012
1 January – 29 March

Readings from An Australian Lectionary 2012 (YearB)

The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus
–Sunday 1 January 2012

  • Numbers 6.22-27; Psalm 8;
    Galatians 4.4-7; Luke 2.15-21

In the Middle East the giving of a name is of great importance and a cause for celebration. Jesus, which means ‘the Lord saves,’ is certainly good news. However, the fact that he is the Son of the Father and represents his heavenly father is also of great importance. When we put our faith in Jesus and become Christians we are given a new name, grafted into the kingdom, and thus allowed to call out ‘Abba, Father.’ May we all come to understand our new names, our adoption into the Kingdom of God, and our heavenly inheritance.

  • Pray for all persons who have grown up not knowing their earthly fathers or who have been adopted.
  • Give thanks for the Church of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, for Bishop Mouneer Hanna Anis, and for his clergy and people.

Text: The Revd Drew Schmotzer, chaplain to the Most Revd Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis, Bishop of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
© Anglican Board of Mission, 2012

Feast of Basil of Caesarea (d.379) & Gregory of Nazianzus (d. 389), bishops and teachers
– Monday 2 January 2012

  • 1 John 2.22-28; Psalm 98.1-6;
    John 1.19-28

When questioned who he was, John the Baptist called himself ‘the voice of one calling in the desert.’ This response identified John the Baptist by his mission, not by his person. Too many people are interested in titles and their own ego, but John pointed away from himself towards Jesus. Today we also must point away from ourselves, towards Jesus. By doing this we link ourselves with all of those who through the centuries have been part of the mission of God; those whose names we know and those whose names and faces are known only to God.

  • Pray for all those who have not yet found their voice in proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
  • Give thanks for all the Australians who have served as missionaries overseas.

Text: The Revd Drew Schmotzer, chaplain to the Most Revd Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis, Bishop of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
© Anglican Board of Mission, 2012

Feast of the Epiphany
– Friday 6 January 2012

  • Isaiah 60.1-6; Psalm 72.1-7, 10-14;
    Ephesians 3.1-12; Matthew 2.1-12

Very few people took notice of the birth of Jesus, only some shepherds, wise men, and the angels. Many still choose not to take notice. Yet there are those who recognize the Lord, those who will bow down and worship him. Today, as the Western world celebrates the arrival of the wise men from the East, Eastern Orthodox Christians will be celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Let us remember that Christ has come into our midst again, and we must choose to worship him, laying all what we have and all what we are at his feet.

  • Pray for unity among all Christians, and for building bridges of understanding.
  • Give thanks for the Anglican Communion’s Evangelism and Church Growth Initiative, and give thanks for ABM’s participation in it.

Text: The Revd Drew Schmotzer, chaplain to the Most Revd Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis, Bishop of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
© Anglican Board of Mission, 2012

Baptism of our Lord:
First Sunday after the Epiphany
– Sunday 8 January 2012

  • Genesis 1.1-5; Psalm 29;
    Acts 19.1-7; Mark 1.4-11

As the Spirit of God hovered over the waters of the earth at creation (Gen 1.2) so that same spirit descended on Jesus like a dove at his baptism (Mk 1.10). If we believe that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (cf. Heb 13.8), is not the Holy Spirit too? If this is true, and the same Holy Spirit which hovered over creation also came upon Jesus, then how will that same Holy Spirit empower us to use our gifts today? What ministry and mission is God calling and equipping you for?

  • Pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit to build up the church for ministry and mission.
  • Give thanks for the clean water provided to communities through ABM’s Water, Sanitation and Health projects.

Text: The Revd Drew Schmotzer, chaplain to the Most Revd Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis, Bishop of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
© Anglican Board of Mission, 2012

Feast of Archbishop William Laud (d. 1645)
– Tuesday 10 January 2012

  • 1 Samuel 1.9-20; Psalm 89.1-7;
    Mark 1.21-28

When humanity encounters the divinity of Jesus, it is either drawn to the light or repelled by it.When people possessed by evil spirits encountered Jesus or his teaching, they would recognize the light and cry out. In other words, when light shines into the darkness, the darkness responds.Where are the dark places in our lives and in our communitieswhich need the light of Christ? How can we respond to the truth and be set free?

  • Pray for those suffering in bondage or darkness, that they may find release and light through Jesus Christ.
  • Give thanks for the work and witness of the Amity Foundation in China.

Text: The Revd Drew Schmotzer, chaplain to the Most Revd Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis, Bishop of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
© Anglican Board of Mission, 2012

Feast of St. Hilary of Poitiers (d.367)
– Friday 13 January 2012

  • 1 Samuel 8.4-7 (8-9) 10-22; Psalm 89.14-18;
    Mark 2.1-12

Sometimes, like the paralytic man, we are incapable of coming to Christ ourselves and we need others to carry us physically, emotionally or spiritually. The friends of the paralytic needed to reach Jesus. We however, through the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, have immediate access to Jesus Christ. Not only do we have access, but Jesus still stands ready to forgive us and heal us. Jesus came to give us life, and he gives us more than we could ask or imagine!

  • Pray for those who are in any kind of need; that they would find forgiveness and healing.
  • Give thanks for the work and witness of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia

Text: The Revd Drew Schmotzer, chaplain to the Most Revd Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis, Bishop of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
© Anglican Board of Mission, 2012
Feast of Sava, first Archbishop of the Serbian Church (d. 1235)
– Saturday 14 January 2012

  • 1 Samuel 9.1-4, 17-19, 10.1; Psalm 21.1-7;
    Mark 2.13-17

Like the calling of Levi, Jesus comes to us and asks us to ‘follow me.’ We then have the choice to get up and follow him, or to continue to follow our own desires. It is a choice between being the leader of our own lives or allowing Jesus to lead us. Many may ask, ‘where will Jesus lead us’ or ‘where will we follow him to’? The answer is found in Jesus’ actions: Jesus celebrated and ate with tax collectors and sinners. He said, ‘I have not come to call the righteous but sinners’ (Mk 2.17b) and he led people from sin to salvation.

  • Pray for those who are deciding to follow Jesus and asking many questions. Pray that the Holy Spirit will lead them into all truth.
  • Give thanks for the positive work that is taking place in some of our partner countries to address the effects of climate change.

Text: The Revd Drew Schmotzer, chaplain to the Most Revd Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis, Bishop of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
© Anglican Board of Mission, 2012

Second Sunday after the Epiphany
– Sunday 15 January 2012

  • 1 Samuel 3.1-10 (11-20); Psalm 139.1-5, 12-18;
    1 Corinthians 6.12-20; John 1.43-51

Like Nathaniel and those who encountered Jesus, we are called to answer the question ‘how do you know me?’ The Psalmist replied, ‘O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.’ This means that God knows us, our strengths and weaknesses, and yet he still loves us. He will not reject us, but embraces us. Yet, perhaps the more important question is not Jesus ‘how do you know me,’ but ‘how do you know Jesus?’

  • Pray for those who are walking in darkness, having not seen the light, and who do not yet know the joy of the Lord
  • Pray for those who live in poverty. Pray to be inspired to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with God.

Text: The Revd Drew Schmotzer, chaplain to the Most Revd Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis, Bishop of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
© Anglican Board of Mission, 2012

Feast of St. Antony of Egypt (d. 356)
– Tuesday 17 January 2012

  • 1 Samuel 16.1-13; Psalm 89.19-27;
    Mark 2.23-28

St Antony was the father of monasticism in Egypt and a supporter of Athanasius against Arius which resulted in the statement of faith known as the Nicene Creed in ad325. Yet, more importantly, St Antony followed Jesus’ words: ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven; and come, follow me’ (Mt 19.21). He knew that he had to integrate the words of the Bible into his life, and in order to do so, he retreated to an ascetical life in the desert. What words of the Bible are speaking to you today?

  • Pray for those who are trying to following the example of Jesus, living out the Gospel in every context.
  • Give thanks for the work and witness of the Religious Orders of the Anglican Communion.

Text: The Revd Drew Schmotzer, chaplain to the Most Revd Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis, Bishop of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
© Anglican Board of Mission, 2012

The Confession of St Peter
– Wednesday 18 January 2012

  • Acts 15.7-11; Psalm 145.1-13;
    Galatians 2.7-16; Matthew 16.13-19

‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’ cried the Apostle Peter (Mt 16.16) and ‘upon this rock I will build my church’ (Mt 16.18). Middle Eastern Christians understand this passage within its comical and melodramatic context. Peter assumes he is the ‘rock,’ but Jesus says, ‘upon this rock [me] I will build my church.’ In other words, it’s all about me, not you Peter. Taken within this context, we realize that Christ is the sure foundation. Had Peter the lead apostle been the rock, how could he have denied Jesus three times? Yet knowing that the best of the best will fail Jesus, we have hope because when we fail, Jesus will restore us too. And if Jesus forgives and restores us, then should we not forgive and restore others?

  • Pray for those whose faith is being tried, and for those who are facing failure. Pray that the Lord would give strength and gently restore.
  • Give thanks for the work and witness of the Anglican Church of Kenya.

Text: The Revd Drew Schmotzer, chaplain to the Most Revd Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis, Bishop of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
© Anglican Board of Mission, 2012

Feast of Agnes, martyr at Rome (d. 304)
– Saturday 21 January

  • 2 Samuel 1.1-4, 11-12, 19, 27; Psalm 80.1-6;
    Mark 3:20-21

After appointing the twelve apostles, Jesus enters a house and a crowd gathers. Jesus is not even able to eat a meal because people are pressing in to see him. Does this sound like your job or situation today? As soon as you sit down to relax or to eat, your mobile phone rings, someone comes to the door, or you receive an important email. Jesus then spoke about how Satan comes to divide us. Often Satan divides our time by filling it with good things, but not the best things. Jesus knew how to order his time and his house. We need to learn how to not be distracted and to focus on the Kingdom of God.

  • Pray for those whose lives are full of distractions and work, that they may have clarity of mind and an undeterred focus on Jesus.
  • Give thanks for the work and witness of the Church of the Province of Myanmar.

Text: The Revd Drew Schmotzer, chaplain to the Most Revd Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis, Bishop of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
© Anglican Board of Mission, 2012

Third Sunday after the Epiphany
– Sunday 22 January 2012

  • Jonah 3.1-10; Psalm 62.5-12;
    1 Corinthians 7.29-31; Mark 1.14-20

Knowing what happened to his cousin John the Baptist, Jesus still ventured out to preach the good news of God. He was fearless and bold! Just as Jesus took risks, so too did the first disciples who followed him. They left family and friends, trusting in an itinerant Rabbi. Yet, it was only in trusting, obeying and following that the disciples found rest and true hope. Today, will you take the risk in following Jesus, or in going deeper in your faith in Jesus Christ? Can you say, like the Psalmist, my soul finds rest in God alone; my hope comes from him.

  • Pray for those who are afraid and without hope, that they may find comfort in Jesus Christ!
  • Give thanks for the efforts that have formed a global Anglican Relief and Development Alliance, and give thanks for ABM’s participation in it.

Text: The Revd Drew Schmotzer, chaplain to the Most Revd Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis, Bishop of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
© Anglican Board of Mission, 2012

Feast of the Companions of St. Paul
– Tuesday 24 January 2012

  • 2 Samuel 6.12-19; Psalm 24.7-10;
    Mark 3.31-35

Who are my family? Jesus said that his family are those who do the will of God. It is encouraging today that we celebrate the companions of St. Paul because we remember that ministry is not done in isolation, that even the greatest of Christians have brothers and sisters in ministry. Moses needed Aaron and Hur to help him hold up the staff of God (cf. Ex 17). Paul needed Mark, Timothy and Barnabas. We all need each other as we are all part of the body of Christ, bringing different gifts to the community.

  • Pray for those who have supporting roles in ministry and for those who carry heavy burdens. May we all lift each other up to our heavenly Father in prayer.
  • Give thanks for the work and witness of the Anglican Church of Korea.

Text: The Revd Drew Schmotzer, chaplain to the Most Revd Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis, Bishop of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
© Anglican Board of Mission, 2012

Conversion of St. Paul
– Wednesday 25 January 2012

  • Acts 22.3-16; Psalm 117;
    Galatians 1.11-24; Luke 24.44-48

Fanny Crosby once wrote, ‘O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood, to every believer the promise of God; The vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.’ In a moment, in the flashing of a light, Saul the vilest persecutor became Paul the pardoned apostle and preacher to the Gentiles. A complete transformation took place and Jesus turned Saul’s life around. This same transformation can take place for us today if we too believe in Jesus. Then we may join Fanny Crosby in singing ‘Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice! O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son, and give Him the glory, great things He has done.’

  • Pray for those who are persecuting the Church, that they may too be transformed from persecutor to pardoned preacher.
  • Give thanks for St Margaret’s Anglican Health Centre in Popondetta, PNG, and its current refurbishment.

Text: The Revd Drew Schmotzer, chaplain to the Most Revd Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis, Bishop of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
© Anglican Board of Mission, 2012

Celebration of Australia Day
– Thursday 26 January 2012

  • Jeremiah 29.1-14; Psalm 33.12-21;
    1 Thessalonians 5.12-24; John 8.31-36

Today as we celebrate Australia Day and its freedom, we are reminded of Jesus’ words: ‘if you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free’ (Jn 8.31-32). We cannot, like the Pharisees, claim that our nationality or our religious heritage brings us freedom. We only have true freedom in Jesus Christ! In a similar way, the People of God were brought out of Egypt not to gain freedom from Pharaoh but to be free to worship God. When we are set free we are not free to do whatever we want, we are free to worship God. Then, as the Psalmist says, ‘blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord’ (Ps 33.12).

  • Pray for all people and all nations to understand what true freedom means. We pray especially for those people and nations who are facing persecution or times of crisis.
  • Give thanks for the ministry of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clergy in Australia.

Text: The Revd Drew Schmotzer, chaplain to the Most Revd Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis, Bishop of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
© Anglican Board of Mission, 2012