Today's Scripture Readings
Isaiah 60:1-6 (NRSV)
Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the LORD will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Lift up your eyes and look around;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,
and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms.
Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.
Psalm 72 (BCP., p.685)
Ephesians 3:1-12 (NRSV)
This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- for surely you have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSV)
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
`And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"
Blog Reflection
The Christmas trees have been taken down. The holiday light displays have been turned off and put away for another year. How interesting that our Scripture readings for this feast of the Epiphany begins with the canticle about light, which we pray whenever we use Canticle 11 on page 87 in The Book of Common Prayer. The Light that has dawned upon the world is Jesus Christ.
This yearly Season of the Epiphany, celebrates the manifestation of God in Christ to all of humankind. The visit of the Magi, and their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh is just one of the mysteries through which Christ revealed the glory of God. The Epiphany also includes the Baptism of Christ which we will celebrate this upcoming Sunday, and the miracle of Jesus turning the water into wine at the marriage of Cana found in John 2:1-11. The Season of Epiphany will conclude eight Sundays later when we recall Christ's Transfiguration. The antiphon we use during Matins for the Invitatory Psalm is: The Lord has shown forth his glory: Come let us adore him. (BCP., p.81).
Br. Mark Brown of the Society of St. John the Evangelist comments today.
The Magi have an epiphany of Jesus—they see an infant that is more than an infant. The disciples have epiphanies of Jesus—they come to see a man that is more than a man. We might call the entire New Testament a book of epiphanies and the Christian religion a religion of epiphanies.
This Epiphany for many of us in the northern Midwest of the United States occurs on the coldest days in many, many years. Minnesota right now has a temperature of -20 degrees outside, but it feels like -42. Many places all over the US are feeling colder temps than normal. Yet, a greater injustice still, is that the U.S. Supreme Court has just put a stay on marriage equality in Utah. The cold weather brings with it more heterosexism.
The good news of Epiphany is that Jesus Christ is that Light that shines in our darkness. He comes bringing the manifestation of God's glory, so that all people every where may come to God and find salvation and hope. Jesus is not just for us Christians, and His revelation of God reaches far beyond our prejudices and sins. The Light of Jesus, illuminates the darkness in the bitter cold of our hearts and lives, as God reaches out to humankind in unconditional and all-inclusive love.
Like the Magi, it is important that as we leave the Manger, that we too return home by a different route. Let us not return to our homes by the way of the tyranny of oppression, injustice and discrimination towards any person because of racism, sexism, heterosexism or any other reason. All of those, lead us into a deeper darkness. In the Magi's visit with the gifts, we have seen an immense Light revealing the glory of God as shepherds were welcomed, the poor and those considered outcasts found a place to welcome the Christ Child. Therefore, let us leave with our eyes opened to others around us who are in need of community, friendship and an inclusive Church and society.
Amen.
Prayers
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son
to the Peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by
faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to
face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.214).
Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us
grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace
with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom,
help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our
communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.260).
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