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.
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:
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.
- `And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
- 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
Vicki K. Black in her book Welcome to the Church Year: An Introduction to the Seasons of the Episcopal Church wrote:
Epiphany is a Greek word meaning "manifestation, showing forth, revelation." This feast proclaims our faith that in Jesus, God is revealed to all people--not just to an inner circle or a chosen few, but to all people, in all places, and throughout all time. Christians believe that in the person of Jesus we see God at work in the world. The Epiphany marks a series of occasions at which Jesus was revealed as God's Son. (p.40).
As of today, the Christmas Season is over. "The Season of Advent was waiting for the Light, Christmas celebrated the arrival of the Light, Epiphany is about spreading the Light" (See p.41).
The Incarnation as in God revealing God's Self in Jesus Christ is the one matter of our Faith that makes Christianity different from other religions. God was made visible through the Person of a human being born just as fragile and innocent as all humans are. However, Jesus was more than just that Name above all Names. Jesus was God made present in the flesh and blood of One who changed the course of human history. How that becomes known is a matter of who searches for God not in just the mysterious or in paradox, but, by seeking union with God in humility with our sisters and brothers with whom we share this world.
The Magi were guided by the light of a star. A magnificently bright star, made up of any number of things. It's light was so bright that the moment it appeared, the world was never the same. It ushered in a new beginning for humankind. Those who set out to discover what that star meant, were never the same.
Br. Geoffrey Tristram, SSE in Brother, Give Us A Word wrote for today's meditation:
The Wise Men came to Jesus, and bowed down and worshiped him. And then, “they departed to their country by another way.” Yet how could they ever be the same again – for they had seen the Christ and they had believed.
How has the Christmas Season and this Epiphany made a difference in our lives?
Are we ending Christmas and beginning Epiphany as we usually do, thankful that they are over, but leaving the message of the arrival of Christ behind?
How has the mystery of God becoming human in Jesus Christ helped us to evolve in our understanding of God, others and ourselves?
If by our prayers and celebration of Advent, Christmas and now Epiphany has made a difference in our lives, how can we make that change transparent as the star above Bethlehem did for the Magi?
I would like to make three recommendations.
1. Prayer
Jesus reveals Himself to us when we spend time in prayer. Albeit, Liturgical prayer, personal prayer and/or Lectio Divina. Our prayers may not be limited to these. It is very difficult for God to manifest God's Self in Jesus to us, if we do not take time to draw closer through the Holy Spirit in a prayerful relationship with the Holy One. The importance of using the Psalms as a means of prayer cannot be overstated. Through the Psalms we can praise God as well as tell God that we are angry, frightened, let down and feeling like our enemies are winning over us. We can also find strength to put many things into God's hands.
As part of our prayer, we need to listen not only to God, but also to what is going on inside of us. You never realize how much noise is going on inside of you, until you take some time to cool it down. Just let all thoughts go by. Let everything that sounds alarms in you, go silent. Become, calm and totally focused on a presence that cannot be explained, yet it is very real.
2. Learn to look for God in places and situations around you.
The desire to search for union with God does not end with our prayer time by ourselves. Our prayer is meant to help Jesus "manifest" or "reveal' God in all aspects of our lives. God is found in the our routine activities and relationships. God is found when we struggle the most, and when we are on an emotional high. God is searching for union with us as we for union with God as we struggle with relationships, people and things that do not make sense.
3. Don't just complain about how things are, become someone who becomes part of the solution.
There is so much oppression, prejudice, violence and injustice all around us. I could name any number of them as I normally do. Everything from debt ceiling negotiations that could include cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, the continuous assault on the health of women, cuts for those who are on the margins of society, etc. Yes, these things bother me too. I too, am limited as I am only one person. But, I am not completely helpless. I can write an email to a legislator. I can volunteer at a local food shelf or agency that assists those in need. I can participate in a community advocacy organization, participate in a lobby day, organize folks in my community who feel the same as I do, and I can encourage others to do these too. When I write the word "I' I am not just talking about me, I am using the word in the second person. Just put yourself at one of those I's and you can become part of the solution.
The other thing we can all do, is take some time to address our own prejudices and attitudes towards others who are different from ourselves. We do this through interaction and conversation to appreciate the view points of others, and allow them to challenge our own way of thinking and doing things. One of the ways that prejudice towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people changes, is because LGBTQ people interact with others around us, so that they may find God in us. This can also be so with immigrants, the physically/emotionally and developmentally challenged, individuals of other races, religions, cultures etc.
This Feast of the Epiphany is about how strangers from a foreign place came to find Jesus and walked away completely different. It is a revelation of how God is not localized to one country, people, language, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, etc. God goes beyond names, labels and so forth and seeks to uphold the dignity of all human beings. So too, should this be what Christians do that can change the world for the better.
As we leave with the Magi, may we take a different road back, because going back the way we came, just is not the right thing to do.
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. (Collect for the Epiphany, Book of Common Prayer, p. 214).
O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully
restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may
share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share
our humanity, you Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns
with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Second Sunday after Christmas, Book of Common Prayer, p. 214).
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn
but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the
strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that
all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of
Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and
glory, now and for ever. Amen. (Prayer for Peace, Book of Common Prayer, p. 815).
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