Word to the Wise
Sunday, January 4, 2009 - The Epiphany of the Lord
[Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3A, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12]"Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage."
Our brothers and sisters of the various Eastern Churches observe the feast of the Epiphany as their "Christmas." Instead of shepherds, they emphasize the three Magi! Of course, the star is a very important part of that as well. Epiphany is the English rendition of a Greek word meaning to "shine out or reveal!" (No light blue balloons in front of that Manger, please!) It is easy to let the imagination run with the three mysterious characters. Menotti's opera, AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS, serves that purpose nicely! Tradition has given them names. Tradition has also determined their number according to the number of gifts mentioned: gold, frankincense and myrrh! However, these well-meaning searchers trigger a murderous search for the child! Herod's own ambitions to be regarded as a kind of "messiah" by refurbishing the temple in Jerusalem would not accept any rival. (He had already murdered his wife and others!) The chief priests and scribes are made part of the deadly plot as well. The theme of it all becomes clear: Jesus is revealed to the "nations" and to "his own." But his own do not accept him. The "nations" do! This is all part of the broad theme of Matthew's gospel! For us Westerners, the whole scene might be something we are watching on a screen as some kind of re-enactment of an historical event or (for some) charming story. To do this is to miss the real significance of the account. A good story should draw us personally into the glory and the danger of the occasion! We are being offered the same decision the Magi and Herod had to make. Who is this Child? Is he Messiah or rival? If we let this feast day go by without making that decision, we have missed something very important. AMEN
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