When we celebrate feasts, like today’s Epiphany, we are not merely looking back to some faith event in the past. Rather, these feasts give present shape to our journey on our way to salvation. While what we celebrate are past events, they transcend time. We experience them today and so have an opportunity to share in the reality of the feast.
Historical time is characterized by the turning of calendar pages (or a new date appearing on our screens when we turn on the computer). Historical time has its patterns, it’s laws. For the believer history is sacred because in its unfolding, we discover the plan of God working through human events. History becomes sacred for us when God intervenes on our behalf. We heard during the Christmas season, for example, that Jesus was born “during the reign of King Herod” (Mt 2:1). God entered our history at a very specific time.
Now we are living in a new time, “the last days,” that will go to the end of history. This isn’t merely a chronological period we mark off on our calendars: the scriptures name it as a “favorable time” — the “today” of our God. Now, guided by the Spirit, God’s plan for our salvation is unfolding, if we have eyes to see it. We can ask, “What day is it?” The person of faith answers, “Today is the feast of the Epiphany, “the day of the Lord.” This is the “today” of our God when God is again made manifest to us. Today’s feast is not the same as last year’s, it is new because we have changed — and more. God is doing something new in us. This is a “favorable time” (“kairos”) for each of us. On this Epiphany we are called to be watchful today for the Lord’s unfolding. God was at work in the past, but God is also awake and active in our present.
Epiphany means “showing forth,” “manifestation.” We observe the Magi from the east following the star to the home of Christ. The Magi represent all peoples, who through the preaching of the gospel, have found a home in Christ — including ourselves. We don’t merely look back to a past time, but proclaim this “day of the Lord.” And what does this feast present to us today? For that, as usual, we turn to the scriptures given us this day.
Isaiah’s prophecy is a poetic gem. How else to convey what is not yet, but what is promised? The people have suffered a long time in darkness. They, and we, cannot produce the light we need to see and find our way. God is that light. So, when God comes to save us, it will be as light. “Then you shall be radiant at what you see….” A people who once lived in the darkness of the defeat will see the light, the glory of the Lord, shining upon them. The exiles will return from slavery to Jerusalem. When they arrive there and rebuild the destroyed city they will ask, “How was this possible?” Isaiah provides a response for them, “the glory of the Lord shines upon you….” How else could such a turnabout have happened?
Which is what people say after a long, debilitating illness: “I never could have gotten through it without God’s help.” Or, what a recovering addict might say, “God helped me kick the habit because God sent me people who loved me with ‘tough love.’” Onlookers, who observe the changes and hear the testimonies of such witnesses, might conclude that God has done what Isaiah promised. “See darkness covers the earth… but upon you the Lord shines and over you appears God’s glory.”
In Christ the promised light has shown in the darkness. The journey of the Magi symbolizes the Gentiles being drawn to the light — the epiphany of our God. “… all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the Lord.”
There were prophecies about the Messiah and these infancy narratives focus them on Jesus. Only Matthew tells us about the Magi. We can make up quaint stories, holy cards and school plays which romanticize and tell elaborate tales about them. But it’s the good news we are after and that’s what Matthew wants to tell us.
That star the Magi followed wasn’t of their own doing. It’s a reminder that we need divine guidance to find where Christ is in our lives. The bright lights of the commercial Christmas we just passed through can blind and distract us from seeing the Messiah. Like the Magi we need a star to take us to where Christ is revealed. Matthew doesn’t tell us that when the Magi set off for home the star continued to guide them. The outside light they previously had, was replaced by the interior light that would guide the rest of their lives — or not. The choice was theirs and the choice is ours as well.
Drawing from the prophet Micah, Matthew emphasizes the smallness of Bethlehem. Small it was, but it had an important mission. “From you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.” Who would have ever heard of Bethlehem if Christ were not born there? Where shall the people look to find deliverance? Herod is only interested in holding tightly to the reins of power. Those priests and scribes, who gave Herod the answer to his question, didn’t follow through on what they knew. They stayed in place. We can quote scripture and answer the questions about God our children put to us, but our lives need to reflect the truths we speak. We need to be willing to get up from the place we are presently and follow the light God continues to offer us.
We don’t know much about the Magi: their race, nation of origin, religion etc.
Were they kings? Religious sages? How many were there? Their names — Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar didn’t evolve till many centuries later. What we do know is that the Lord is not restricted to just some people. People from the ends of the earth would gather together in his name; that’s what Isaiah promised, “Nation shall walk by your light and kings by your shining radiance” — and that’s what Jesus fulfilled.
Isn’t that our mission as well? To make the name of Jesus known throughout the world, our world of home, school, work, play etc. Isaiah and Micah, and all the scriptures we hear proclaimed in worship, point to how and where our God is to be found. Our lives are to be a shining star that will help people find their way through the darkness to the light of Christ.
Pope Francis has been a guiding star for the church and the world this Christmas time. He guides our way, challenging us to be a church who sees people in the darkness of poverty, oppression, war and sickness. He challenges us to follow the star that leads us where Christ lives — among outsiders, those born in stables, living on the streets, fleeing civil strive and pushed around by harsh governments.
Matthew isn’t interested in giving us a road map of the Magi’s travels. So we look for meaning for ourselves when he tells us that the Magi “departed for their country by another way.” He seems to suggest that, like the Magi, once we have seen the Savior we too need to give him homage, as we are doing at this liturgy. But when we depart our lives should reflect the change that results from that encounter. We need to, “depart… by another way.” Our journey re-routed by the One we have seen.
We have experienced the good news of Christ firsthand at our Epiphany celebration today. It isn’t about “ back then;” it’s about “right here and now” — how will we reflect in our daily lives the light that has shone upon us. This morning, as our Dominican community chanted the Divine Office, we offered this petition, “You are the source of everlasting light, may our lives give witness to that light.” That seems like a good summary of this feast, don’t you think?