Epiphanies of God

…On entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother.  They prostrated themselves and did him homage.  (Matthew 2:11) 

The word “epiphany” comes from two Greek words which mean “revelation” or “manifestation.”  Today we celebrate one of several manifestations of God in human history.  By tradition, we refer to today’s celebration as the Epiphany of our Lord, but that term would apply equally well to a number of other epiphanies recorded in Scripture. Liturgically speaking, therefore, we are in an epiphany season -- a season in which Jesus’ identity is revealed incrementally through a series of events.

What began with the very private annunciation of an angel to Mary and then to Joseph; what was then revealed to shepherds on Christmas night is now brought into sharper and sharper focus, made increasingly clear to an ever-expanding audience of witnesses.  The circle gets bigger as more and more people are included, and from today to Easter Sunday everything we read and hear in Scripture is an epiphany of God.

These epiphanies become more vivid until we too are included in every one of them, revealing who and whose we really are.  This, then, is the most important liturgical season of the church year because we discover who Jesus really is, where he is to be found, and what our role is to be in God’s plan for humanity’s salvation.   These epiphanies are like a stone dropped in water, which set off a series of concentric ripples that get bigger and bigger until the entire surface reveals the initial movement of the stone.  Soon we begin to find ourselves in all places and all times, drawn in relationship to circles that start from the Annunciation.

Obviously, the first major manifestation of God, recounted in Luke’s gospel at Christmas, is when we see the baby, born homeless and in poverty surrounded by the poor and outcast, symbolized by shepherds.  

Today’s gospel from Matthew recounts the second major manifestation where we once again see the baby, but the circumstances of his birth are hardly mentioned, the emphasis is different.  Three foreigners of high rank come to pay homage to the infant king.  In the early church they were seen as representatives of people from the three great continents of the world; Melchior from Africa; Balthazar from Asia; and Gaspar from Europe, signifying the universal character of God’s saving grace.   The Incarnation, in other words, is not just for Israelites, God’s chosen people, but for all people.

The third major manifestation, Jesus’ baptism, we will celebrate next Sunday when in the reading from Mark’s gospel we see Jesus, now an adult, in the Jordan River as the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove and God solemnly intones:  “This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 

The fourth manifestation is found only is John’s gospel which takes place during the wedding banquet at Cana.  Water (symbolizing the Old Covenant) is changed into new wine (symbolizing the New Covenant.)  Mary (representing the People of God) is seen as the intermediary at whose request the change is brought about.  This is the first of seven “signs” in John’s gospel by which Jesus reveals his true identity as Lord.

In Eastern Orthodox Church tradition, the arrival of the magi or wise men or three kings is celebrated with great festivity on January 6th.  In fact, since ancient times the Eastern Orthodox have celebrated both Christ’s birth and the magi’s arrival on that same day, but the epiphany most emphasized is not the Incarnation, it’s Jesus’ baptism. 

One important lesson of today’s gospel is that there are no foreigners or outsiders in God’s kingdom.  From the divine point of view, you see, all people are, indeed, created equal.  All people, regardless of physical, cultural or other differences are brothers and sisters of the same family with God as Father, which means there’s no place in the kingdom for hatred based on nationality, ethnicity, race, religion or class. 

Obviously, this is still an important gospel message, since there’s so much racial, ethnic, tribal and religious intolerance in the world today.  Tragically, we live in a time when the attempted systematic extermination of entire minority populations is all too commonplace.  The Armenian genocide of 1915, the Holocaust of the 1930’s and 40’s are notorious examples, but instances of genocide have occurred since in Cambodia and Laos, Tibet, Bosnia, Burma, Bangladesh, East Timor, Rwanda and is now occurring in the Darfur region of Sudan.  Mass violence, torture, piracy, human rights’ violations, mistreatment of defenseless people has happened throughout history, but modern technology has taken these cruelties to new levels.

For the Holy Land, sacred to three major world religions, wracked by years of bloody intifadah, in which thousands of Palestinians and Israelis have died, Isaiah’s vision of “peace on earth, good will to all,” continues to be illusory.  Within the last ten days, the seemingly endless conflict in Gaza and Southern Israel has flared up again, threatening the entire region.  Just yesterday Israeli ground forces entered Gaza’s territory.  Only six years ago, you will recall, the town of Bethlehem was under siege at Christmas as the Israeli military sought to capture armed men who had taken refuge in the Church of the Nativity. That was the first Christmas in anyone's memory that pilgrims were turned away from the church which honors the birth of the Prince of Peace. 

In Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Islamic suicide bombers, men, women and children, daily murder countless innocent victims, including, of course, Muslims. Terrorism in Mumbai and Congo; death squad killings in El Salvador; kidnapping and slavery in Uganda; repression in Zimbabwe; violence toward women in Brazil.  The list goes on and on.

Overarching theme of today’s Feast of the Epiphany is the universality of God’s revelation.  Signs of God’s presence and love are revealed to everyone, everywhere.  No one religion or category of people has a monopoly on God. Tragically, worldwide the ideal too often doesn’t square with reality.

How can you and I contribute to world peace?   First and foremost, by living peaceably ourselves -- avoiding violence of thought, word and, of course, action.  Then, by teaching our children to respect all people, even those outside their comfort zone. We can contribute to world peace by denouncing bigotry or discrimination in any form.  And, as one of my favorite bumper stickers proclaims: “If you want peace, work for justice.”

There’s a delightful and inspiring tale told by Henry Van Dyke, called the “Story of the Other Wise Man.”  In this story Artaban, a fourth wise man also sets out to pay homage and bring treasures to the new King born in Bethlehem.  However on his journey he is delayed time and time again by people in need.  He gives of his treasure in meeting the needs of those he comes in contact with on his journey.  Thirty three years later he arrives in Jerusalem on Good Friday having spent his life searching for the messiah, following the light he had first seen on Christmas night.

At approximately 3 P.M. the earth trembled: it seemed too late.  A heavy tile, shaken from a roof fell and struck the now old man on the head.  A quiet voice was heard, and the old man’s lips began to move, as if in answer.  “Not so, my Lord, for when did I see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?  When did I see you a stranger and took you in or naked and clothed you?  When did I see you sick or in prison and come to you?  Thirty three years have I looked for you; but I have never seen your face, nor ministered to you, my King.

He stopped speaking and again the sweet voice came to him… “I tell you, inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least, you did it for me.”  A calm radiance of wonder and joy lighted the pale face of Artaban, like the first ray of dawn on a snowy mountain peak.  One long, last breath of relief exhaled gently from his lips.  His journey was ended.  His treasures were accepted.  His dream of paying homage to the Lord was fulfilled.  The Other Wise Man had found the King of Kings.

Like Artaban, you and I are called to follow the Christmas star wherever it leads, especially when it leads to people in need. Then, like him, when our journey is done, we too will know that the gift of ourselves has been accepted by our King.  In short, all of us are meant to do much more than acknowledge and celebrate the Lord’s epiphany on earth; we are meant to be, for each other, the Lord’s epiphany on earth.         

Anthony J. Sciolino
Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12
The Epiphany of the Lord
January 4, 2009.  (Cycle B)