Epiphany

Homily for January 4, 2015 (Epiphany of the Lord)
Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72 (v.v.); Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12

In her book Wanderlust:  A History of Walking, author Rebecca Solnit writes that, “The magic of the street is the mingling of the errand and the epiphany.”  That magic, however, can’t always do its work.  Especially today, as our ears are often muffled by earbuds or headphones and our eyes glued to our smartphones or tablets, it is easy to miss even the ordinary wonders of the world around us and become lost in the aural and visual cocoons we have created.

There would likely be no Star of Bethlehem to worry about if the Magi had GPS.  It would be easier to send gift cards from Pier 1 and Bed, Bath and Beyond than travel many miles to bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Their errand may have been the same; but what they may have missed what really mattered. Epiphanies may come in many forms, suddenly or slowly; but we can’t receive them unless we’re paying attention.  Today’s scripture readings call us to develop our sense of spiritual vigilance, not in an anxious way but rather in the joyful and expectant hope that we can behold the many ways that God is made manifest in our lives.

Trito-Isaiah proclaims to us that God is manifested when we embrace light in the midst of darkness.  Our psalmist tells us that God is revealed in justice and peace, when the voices of the poor are heard and heeded.  St. Paul invites us to see God present when we make more room in God’s household, especially for those who have been shunned or excluded.  Finally, in our gospel passage from Matthew 2, we join the Magi on their journey and behold the revelation and presence of God in a newborn child in a small town:  God is present where we don’t expect.

What is our response to these and the other manifestations of God in our lives?  The Magi themselves give us an example and offer us a test:

They were “overjoyed at seeing the star” and “opened their treasures.”   They prostrated themselves in awe, reverence, gratitude as they personally encountered Jesus.  How do we respond when we experience the presence and work of Christ in our lives?
They gave Jesus gold.  How can we better offer our not only our material wealth but also the non-material riches of our gifts and talents to Christ and our community?
They gave Jesus frankincense.  Where, when and how often do we offer God our prayer and worship? 
They gave Jesus myrrh.  Are we willing to offer him ourselves, consecrating our lives to the service of God, according to our different vocations?

There’s something else about epiphanies:  they don’t always mean the same thing for everyone.  What was good news for the Magi was greatly troubling news for Herod “and all Jerusalem with him.”  The king was disturbed, but he failed to correctly comprehend the reason:  the true threat was not to his throne—this child would not be concerned with something so venal and ephemeral—but to the system and values on which it rested.  It’s as true today as it was centuries ago—if we’re paying attention.  As a pilgrim church we remain on our errand; and we pray for the grace to experience the Epiphany and the courage to share it in hope and joy. +