Sharing the Light
Sunday is the Feast of the Epiphany, when we recognize that the revelation of God’s love for the world in Jesus Christ is actually meant for all the world. We see this most demonstrated in our Gospel reading from Matthew (2:1-12). In that reading, “magi from the east” have come to Jerusalem. They have seen a star indicating that there was a “newborn king of the Jews.” This announcement to the court of King Herod throws the king and his courtiers into confusion. Although his interest is not as benign as that of the magi, Herod finds out that the prophecies of old indicate that Bethlehem is where this king would be born. As we later see, Herod’s request to hear word from the magi when they find this newborn king is not to also “do him homage” but to eliminate a rival to the throne.
The magi follow the star and they find the baby Jesus, and offer him gifts of “gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
In looking for new ways to approach a homily, a question came up for me. Why was it important enough for these Magi that there was a newborn king of the Jews, that they went to Jerusalem bearing gifts? They were not Jews. Could they have somehow heard something about this God doing wondrous things for the Jewish people? Having thrown Herod’s court into confusion with their question, perhaps they realized that this newborn king was not some usual successor to an earthly throne.
The perks usually associated with an earthly crown are not part of this feast. When we hear Isaiah’s prophecy in our first reading (Isaiah 60:1-6), we may be tempted to think otherwise: “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you…Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to 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 the nations shall be brought to you…all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of God.”
We can get caught up in the vision of all this wealth and power coming to us as a country, or even more importantly, as a church. But we are called to focus instead on how we are to share the light given to us in Jesus Christ. Can we let the light and love of Jesus shine through us so that people may want to come and hear about how this love of God is meant for them?
In our second reading (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6), St. Paul writes: “It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” Whether people reject God or Jesus or us, they are still offered the promise in Christ Jesus. And we are to do our part in revealing God’s love to them.
May God use us to bring an epiphany to others of His love for the world.
In Christ the Light to All Nations,
Phil, CP
