A loose Christian translation of EPIPHANY is “the revealing of Jesus the Christ”. And such revealing is done by seeing a mystery in a new light. So we begin a season called Epiphany which carries us to Ash Wednesday and Lent, unfolding further vistas of divinity each week of scriptural reading. “Light” is rightly celebrated in the darkness here at the bottom of the year; and also in the darkness of careless and insensitive social interaction which clings unmercifully to differences of race, culture and belief. Those who worship during this season of unveiling will be confronted by an urge to slash the curtains which darken their own space.
Isaiah encourages this with his directive, “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” (60:1) Even though darkness covers the earth and all its people, the Source of Renewal has dawned! Some will attribute a Messianic prophecy here–yet I’d rather think that Isaiah is speaking for the remnant of God’s Faithful who acknowledge a holy fire even from The Beginning. He goes on to tell the reader to “look around”: sons & daughters, kings of the nations of the world will bring their riches, their gold and frankincense. This holy brightness knifes through the mists of error, clouds of doubt which dull our vision and our spontaneous joy.
St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesian believers includes the phrase, “In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.” (3:5) Paul is trying to include Gentiles within this light, an early Liberation Theology which tells them that they’re just as illuminated as anyone else. The passage goes on, “…that through the Church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.” (3:10) These are the same who’ve been attracted to the brightness of God’s working, especially as revealed in the ChristChild.
And of course the Gospel is that uniquely in Matthew, the story of the Three Wise Men/Kings. Matthew, well-trained in Isaiah’s message, includes this to confirm the Ancient Dawning with the peripatetic Star of the East. They, also, had been drawn by a Holy Light to represent the Nations of Earth with their pilgrimage and their presentation of gold, frankincense and myrrh. These gifts, opulent as they were, paled beside the Gift of God which always takes precedence…even when the darkness seems especially invincible.
“Sometimes a light surprises the Christian while he sings; It is the Lord, who rises with healing in his wings. When comforts are declining, he grants the soul again A season of clear shining to cheer it after rain.” –William Cowper
My wish for each of you in this New Year is for peace, joy…and LIGHT!
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My musings on scripture readings assigned for the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
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