Patrick Comerford
The 40-day season of Christmas continues until Candlemas or the Feast of the Presentation (2 February). This week began with the Second Sunday of Epiphany (Epiphany II, 18 January 2026), with readings that continue to focus on the Baptism of Christ by Saint John the Baptist, one of the three great Epiphany themes, alongside the Visit of the Magi and the Wedding at Cana.
Today is the fifth day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, from 18 to 25 January. This year’s theme is ‘One Body, One Spirit’ – from Ephesians 4: 1-13 – which was prepared by the Armenian Apostolic Church, along with the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical Churches. The calendar of the Church of England in Common Worship today remembers Saint Vincent of Saragossa (304), Deacon, first Martyr of Spain.
Later this afternoon, I am involved in rehearsals with the Stony Stratford Playreaders as we continue to prepare three plays for this year’s Stony Words. But, before today begins, I am taking some quiet time this morning to give thanks, to reflect, to pray and to read in these ways:
1, today’s Gospel reading;
2, a short reflection;
3, a prayer from the USPG prayer diary;
4, the Collects and Post-Communion prayer of the day.
Mark 3: 7-12 (NRSVA):
7 Jesus departed with his disciples to the lake, and a great multitude from Galilee followed him; 8 hearing all that he was doing, they came to him in great numbers from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan, and the region around Tyre and Sidon. 9 He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him; 10 for he had cured many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him. 11 Whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and shouted, ‘You are the Son of God!’ 12 But he sternly ordered them not to make him known.
Today’s Reflections:
The Gospel reading at the Eucharist today (Mark 3: 7-12) tells us that as a consequence of the healing stories we have been reading throughout this week, people come to Jesus in great numbers. These people are not only from his own region of Galilee, but from the neighbouring and surrounding areas, including Judea, Jerusalem and Idumea to the south of Galilee, from regions beyond the Jordan to the east, and from the Phoenician and Greek-speaking areas to the north, around Tyre and Sidon.
One of those regions, Idumea, also known as Edom, has significant historical and biblical importance. It was to the south of ancient Judah and is often associated with the descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob.
The name Idumea (Ἰδουμαία) is the Greek form of Edom, which means ‘red’, probably referring to the red sandstone terrain of the region or to the reddish appearance of Esau at birth (see Genesis 25: 25). Idumea is frequently mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, where it is identified as the land settled by Esau and his descendants (see Genesis 36: 8).
The Edomites or people of Idumea were often in conflict with the Israelites, reflecting the tumultuous relationship between Esau and Jacob. The Edomites refused passage to the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt (see Numbers 20: 14-21). This act of hostility set the stage for future animosities. Obadiah prophesied against Edom, condemning them for their violence against their brother Jacob and predicting their downfall (Obadiah 1: 10-14).
During the reign of King David, Edom was subjugated and became a vassal state (II Samuel 8: 13-14). The Psalmist says: ‘Upon Edom I will toss my sandal’ (Psalm 60: 8). However, the Edomites regained independence during the reign of King Jehoram of Judah (II Kings 8: 20-22). The prophets frequently spoke against Edom, highlighting its pride and eventual judgment: Isaiah 34: 5-6 speaks of the Lord’s sword descending in judgment upon Edom; Jeremiah 49: 17-18 predicts its desolation; and Ezekiel 25: 12-14 prophesies against Edom for taking vengeance on the house of Judah.
By New Testament times, Idumea had become a Roman province. Herod the Great, the king of Judea at the time of Jesus’ birth, was of Idumean descent. This connection is significant, as Herod’s rule and his attempt to kill the infant Jesus (Matthew 2: 16) are seen as a continuation of the enmity between the descendants of Esau and Jacob.
Today’s Gospel passage mentions that people from Idumea came to hear Jesus, indicating the region’s continued existence and its people’s interest in the teachings of Christ (Mark 3: 8).
The persistent conflict between Israel and Edom are reminders of the consequences for generations of discord within families and the enduring nature of divine justice. The account of Idumea underscores the biblical theme of God’s faithfulness to his promises and his ultimate plan for redemption through Christ, who reconciles all enmity.
Today’s Prayers (Thursday 22 January 2026):
The theme this week (18-24 January 2026) in Pray with the World Church, the prayer diary of the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel), is ‘Freedom Theologies’ (pp 20-21). This theme was introduced on Sunday with Reflections from Dr Thandi Gamedze, poet, theologian, and senior researcher at the Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice.
The USPG Prayer Diary today (Thursday 22 January 2026) invites us to pray:
Lord, we remember the small acts that make a difference – shared meals, art, conversation, and community gatherings. May we recognise and use the gifts you have given each of us to serve and bless others.
The Collect:
Almighty God,
in Christ you make all things new:
transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace,
and in the renewal of our lives
make known your heavenly glory;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
The Post-Communion Prayer:
God of glory,
you nourish us with your Word
who is the bread of life:
fill us with your Holy Spirit
that through us the light of your glory
may shine in all the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Additional Collect:
Eternal Lord,
our beginning and our end:
bring us with the whole creation
to your glory, hidden through past ages
and made known
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Yesterday’s Reflections
Continued Tomorrow
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org
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