Word to the Wise
Sunday, January 5, 2025 - The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord - ABC [This feast was traditionally celebrated on Jan. 6; in the USA it is now on the Sunday after Jan. 1]
[Isa 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Matt 2:1-12,]Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you....Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the Lord. [Isaiah] When Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.... And behold the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was....Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.... [Matthew]
In the chapel here at the monastery of cloistered Dominican nuns where I serve as chaplain, three large figurines of the Magi have been moving day by day since Christmas Day from one end of the sanctuary toward the other end, where the nativity scene is located. A combined star/angel shines above the scene. The story of the Magi remains a fascinating part of the Christmas celebration. But the title of the feast is "the Epiphany of the Lord" and not the "Epiphany of the Magi!" The whole point of Matthew's gospel story of the Magi is the revelation of the Lord to the Gentiles in fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah. In writing for a predominantly Jewish-Christian audience, Matthew also makes the point, at various times, that Jesus came not just for Jews but for non-Jews as well. The story of the Magi, like much of the nativity narrative, is an introduction of that "theme."
There are many ways the whole celebration can be understood and appreciated. I think our church has been awakening to the reality that many who have been marginalized by the church for various reasons should be recognized and "accompanied" (Pope Francis' word). They may bring their own "gifts" and are seeking the Lord in the communion of the church. There is more than one kind of Magi, and we Catholics don't own the star, or the stable or the baby in the manger. That star shines on the whole world. The Epiphany of the Lord can be a revelation (the meaning of "epiphany") to all of us Catholics and not just to the Magi. Those three mysterious figures may actually be a crowd!! AMEN
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