Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
Scripture:
Isaiah 60:1-6
Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
Matthew 2:1-12
Reflection:
…it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body… -Ephesians 3:5b-6a
…behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem… -Matthew 2:1b
I was fairly old before I came across the idea that the birth story of Jesus with the shepherds and the story of the visitation of the Magi were two different stories. The parish where we worshiped had a life-size creche right by the entrance to the church which included the manger, the Holy Family, the shepherds presenting their lambs, and three splendid, royal kings, including their camels and entourage, presenting gifts to the babe in the manger.
For years, these two stories were conflated into one grand scene in my mind. It was only after deeper study and wider reading I came across the idea that many biblical scholars hold, that the visitation by the Magi (a word meaning, “wise one,” or “priest,” and not indicating any social standing or rank) most likely occurred months if not years after the birth of our Lord. I still find it difficult sometimes to disentangle the popular culture, and artistic representations from “gospel truth.”
So, what is the truth of this gospel? The reading from the letter to the Ephesians makes this quite clear. Today is the Epiphany of the Lord, the revelation to the world beyond a small, nondescript stable in a backwater town that God is incarnate. That He is Lord to all the world. That the Gentiles are part of God’s family. It is interesting to note that the Greek word used by Paul that is translated as “Gentiles” is ethnos, meaning “the human family.”
Paul is saying we all belong to Christ, from the greatest to the least. No one is left out of this family. Another notable fact is that the magi didn’t remain. They returned to their own lands and their own ways. But they were still included as “members of the same body.” Still today the Risen Christ calls us to recognize that everyone we meet, whether they are from a different land, speak a different language, wear different clothes, or have different customs, are our brothers and sisters in the eyes of God.
This year, let us make a renewed effort to meet everyone as our brother or sister in Christ.
Talib Huff is a retired teacher and a member of the retreat team at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center in Citrus Heights, California. You may contact him at [email protected].