Good News for All!
Father Phil Paxton, CP
To All,
As I reflect on the Feast of the Epiphany, which we celebrate on Sunday, there are some intriguing things about the way we celebrate this feast that could shed light on its meaning for us.
One thing is that we find the account of the Magi’s visit in Matthew’s Gospel (Matthew 2:1-12). This is intriguing because Scripture scholars tell us that Matthew was likely writing for a community of mostly Jewish Christians. They surmise this because often in Matthew’s Gospel, he points out to the reader that Jesus’ life, words and deeds are fulfillment of the prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures. And yet, it was important enough for Matthew to keep this account in his Gospel of these foreigners to Israel recognizing Jesus as King.
Another thing is how the Magi are typically depicted. One is usually depicted as coming from Africa. I think this tradition of depicting one of the Magi as coming from Africa is a long one. This is despite the Church’s own struggle in its history with the sin of racism and prejudice.
I bring these things up because, even with humanity’s tendency to demonize or dehumanize the “other,” even with the Church’s at times ambivalence about diversity, the message that the Good News of Jesus Christ is meant for all continues to come through! As it says in our second reading (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6): “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 in the gospel.” Thanks be to God! The Good News is meant for us all!
What is our response to this revelation? In our Gospel reading, the Magi come first to Jerusalem, asking about the “newborn king of the Jews.” Matthew tells us that King Herod and all Jerusalem were “greatly troubled” at the Magi’s words. They were troubled at the thought of another king claiming sovereignty over the people, causing them to lose power. When we look at prejudice and discrimination of all sorts, and how difficult it is for us to overcome injustice, I think it might have something to do with the same sort of thinking Herod and his court had. If one thinks of life as a zero-sum game, it is easy to believe that “If you gain, that means I lose,” or “If they gain, that means we lose.” But hasn’t Jesus Christ shown us that all can gain?
Instead of being “troubled” by diversity, even with all its challenges, we could perhaps have the same attitude as that of the Magi, who were “overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
I know the word ‘diversity” is troublesome to some. But I see our faith and the experience of the Church telling us that welcoming diversity is a way of obeying Jesus’ commandment to love one another, because when we welcome diversity, we are welcoming people; we are welcoming other beloved children of God.
May we reflect the truth that Epiphany tells us: that God’s love is for all.
I welcome any comments or questions. Thanks for your time.
In Christ, the Light to All Nations,
Phil, CP