Epiphany: the Last Act(Epiphany: the Good News of Inclusion)
January 4, 2009, Feast of Epiphany
Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:1, 3 Matthew 2:1-12
To the churched and unchurched[1]
gathered in a temple not built by human hands[2]
First reading
Arise, Jerusalem, and shine like the sun; the glory of the Lord is shining on you! Other nations will be covered with darkness, but on you the light of the Lord will shine. The Gentiles will be drawn to your light, and kings to the dawning of your new day. The wealth of the Gentiles will be brought to you. From across the sea their riches shall come. Great caravans of camels will come from Midian, Ephah and Sheba, bringing gifts of gold and incense and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.
The word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Thanks be to God
Second reading
“I, Paul, the servant of Christ, am here in jail because of you – for preaching that you Gentiles are a part of God’s household. God Himself revealed to me this secret plan of His, hidden from former generations, that the Gentiles, too, are included in His kindness." (Eph 3:1, 3)
The word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Alleluia, alleluia.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke
Glory to you, Lord.
Gospel
Thanks be to God
Alleluia, alleluia.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke
Glory to you, Lord.
Gospel
Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem, in the land of Judea, during the time when Herod was king. Soon afterward, some magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.” Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.”
After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They 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. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they returned home by another route.
After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They 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. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they returned home by another route.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Introduction
Epiphany: East and West
Epiphany: East and West
Epiphany (a Greek word meaning `a manifestation’) brings the curtain down on the Advent/Christmas drama. In the Eastern Church, Epiphany focuses especially on the baptism of the Lord. That, indeed, was a heavenly manifestation. A voice from heaven pointed to Jesus and proclaimed, “This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased.” (Mt 3: 17) On Epiphany the Eastern Churches bless water and baptize their little ones.
In the Western Church, Epiphany focuses upon the adoration of the Magi. That, too, was a heavenly manifestation. Matthew writes that a star rose in the east and led the Magi to a stable and pointed to an Infant lying in a manger. Then they offered the Infant gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Mt 2:11) Here Matthew is alluding to the words of Isaiah, “Great caravans of camels will come from Midian, Ephah and Sheba bearing gifts of gold and frankincense.” (Is. 60:6) This focus upon Epiphany as the manifestation of Jesus, a Jew, to Magi (who were Gentiles) goes back to St. Augustine in the early four hundreds.
In the Western Church, Epiphany focuses upon the adoration of the Magi. That, too, was a heavenly manifestation. Matthew writes that a star rose in the east and led the Magi to a stable and pointed to an Infant lying in a manger. Then they offered the Infant gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Mt 2:11) Here Matthew is alluding to the words of Isaiah, “Great caravans of camels will come from Midian, Ephah and Sheba bearing gifts of gold and frankincense.” (Is. 60:6) This focus upon Epiphany as the manifestation of Jesus, a Jew, to Magi (who were Gentiles) goes back to St. Augustine in the early four hundreds.
Magi?
Who were the Magi? They were simply astrologers who read the stars. They weren’t glitzy kings from the east. But neither were they paupers, for Matthew writes they brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Christ Child. It was tradition that turned the Magi into glitzy kings from the east.
How many Magi were there? Scripture doesn’t say. But tradition eventually came up with three. Because Matthew added a third gift of myrrh to Isaiah’s two gifts of gold and frankincense, three glitzy kings were needed, each to carry one of the three gifts. (Mt 2:11) One Eastern tradition claims there were as many as twelve Magi!
What are the names of the Magi? By the middle of the 3rd century, tradition even had names for them: Melchior of Nubia, Caspar of Tarshish, and Baltazar of Chaldea. In the church of San Apollinare in Ravenna, an ancient mosaic dating back to 550 AD depicts Baltasar as a middle-age gentleman with a black beard, and Gaspar as an old man with a white beard, and Melchior as a beardless young dude. By the 9th century, tradition added a universalist stroke to the picture. The three Magi represented the whole human family: Baltazar was Asian, Caspar a white European and Melchior was African and therefore black.
Where are the Magi buried? There is a tradition which claims that their remains were discovered in Persia, brought to Constantinople by St. Helena, transferred to Milan in the 5th century and finally to Cologne, Germany, in 1163, where they are now the prized treasures of the Cologne Cathedral.
How many Magi were there? Scripture doesn’t say. But tradition eventually came up with three. Because Matthew added a third gift of myrrh to Isaiah’s two gifts of gold and frankincense, three glitzy kings were needed, each to carry one of the three gifts. (Mt 2:11) One Eastern tradition claims there were as many as twelve Magi!
What are the names of the Magi? By the middle of the 3rd century, tradition even had names for them: Melchior of Nubia, Caspar of Tarshish, and Baltazar of Chaldea. In the church of San Apollinare in Ravenna, an ancient mosaic dating back to 550 AD depicts Baltasar as a middle-age gentleman with a black beard, and Gaspar as an old man with a white beard, and Melchior as a beardless young dude. By the 9th century, tradition added a universalist stroke to the picture. The three Magi represented the whole human family: Baltazar was Asian, Caspar a white European and Melchior was African and therefore black.
Where are the Magi buried? There is a tradition which claims that their remains were discovered in Persia, brought to Constantinople by St. Helena, transferred to Milan in the 5th century and finally to Cologne, Germany, in 1163, where they are now the prized treasures of the Cologne Cathedral.
The arrival of Gentiles!
What was the Magis’ religious affiliation? (This, perhaps, is the most important question of all.) None of them was Jewish! None of them was a follower of the Law of Moses! They were Gentiles! And what’s more, they were Gentiles who read the stars! Except for determining times and seasons, the Law of Moses forbade reading the stars, under the penalty of death by stoning. (Dt 17:2-5)
Up until now, everyone in the Christmas drama is Jewish. The great prophet of Advent (Isaiah) is a Jew. All the main characters of the Christmas drama ( Joseph and Mary, Zachary and Elizabeth, old Anna and Simeon in the temple) are Jews. Though unwashed and unkempt the shepherds, too, are Jews. Even the angels singing “Glory to God in the highest” are Jews. The lead actor in the drama of Christmas, the Messiah Himself, is indeed, a Jew -- "a descendant of David according to the flesh." (Rom 1:3)
Up until now, the Gentiles are missing from the Christmas drama. The drama of universal salvation waits for the last act, and it comes with the arrival of the Gentile Magi led by a star. Their arrival reveals to the Jews a secret “hidden for ages that the Gentiles, too, are included in God’s kindness." (Eph 3:1, 3) The arrival of Gentile Magi now invites the Jews to move over and make room for Gentiles in the household of God.
Up until now, everyone in the Christmas drama is Jewish. The great prophet of Advent (Isaiah) is a Jew. All the main characters of the Christmas drama ( Joseph and Mary, Zachary and Elizabeth, old Anna and Simeon in the temple) are Jews. Though unwashed and unkempt the shepherds, too, are Jews. Even the angels singing “Glory to God in the highest” are Jews. The lead actor in the drama of Christmas, the Messiah Himself, is indeed, a Jew -- "a descendant of David according to the flesh." (Rom 1:3)
Up until now, the Gentiles are missing from the Christmas drama. The drama of universal salvation waits for the last act, and it comes with the arrival of the Gentile Magi led by a star. Their arrival reveals to the Jews a secret “hidden for ages that the Gentiles, too, are included in God’s kindness." (Eph 3:1, 3) The arrival of Gentile Magi now invites the Jews to move over and make room for Gentiles in the household of God.
The Good News (Gospel) of Inclusion
In the first reading the prophet Isaiah tells Jerusalem lying in ruin to arise and take heart, for “The wealth of the Gentiles will be brought to you. From across the sea their riches shall come. Great caravans of camels will come from Midian, Ephah and Sheba, bringing gold and incense. (Is 60: 1, 5--6) How jarring it was for Jews (who knew how chosen they were) to be told that they were going to benefit from the generosity of un-chosen Gentiles who would help rebuild
Jerusalem!
In the second reading Paul writes, “I, Paul, the servant of Christ, am here in jail because of you. I am here for preaching that you Gentiles are a part of God’s household. God Himself revealed to me this secret plan of His, hidden from former generations, that you Gentiles, too, are included in His kindness." (Eph 3:1,3)
Jerusalem!
In the second reading Paul writes, “I, Paul, the servant of Christ, am here in jail because of you. I am here for preaching that you Gentiles are a part of God’s household. God Himself revealed to me this secret plan of His, hidden from former generations, that you Gentiles, too, are included in His kindness." (Eph 3:1,3)
Who hides the Good News?
We chuckle at this "secret plan of God, hidden from former generations.” We wonder who hid the good news that Gentiles also are included in the kindness of God. Did God hide that good news from the Jews of old, or did they hide it from themselves? Why in the world would God want to hide the Good News (Gospel) of Inclusion in the first place?
The Jews of old excluded the Gentiles. By an ironic twist of fate, Gentiles down through the centuries have excluded Jews. With the fires of Holocaust still burning in our minds, we ask who, indeed, hid the good news from the Nazis that not only German Gentiles but also German Jews were included in the kindness of God? Did God hide that good news from the Nazis or did they hide it from themselves?
Today we ask who hides the good news that women in the church are also included in the kindness of God? Does God hide that good news from the church institution, or does a male-driven institution hide that good news from itself? Today we ask who hides the good news that gays are included in the kindness of God? Does God hide that good news from the religious right or from homophobes, or do they hide that good news from themselves? Who hides the good news that Call to Action Catholics are included in the kindness of God? Does God hide that good news from the church institution, or does the institution hide it from itself?
Who hides the good news that Western infidels are included in the kindness of Allah? Does Allah hide that good news from Islamic extremists, or do they hide it from themselves? If there’s mystery here, it is this: why would God or Allah or anyone else ever want to hide the Good News (Gospel) of Inclusion?
The Jews of old excluded the Gentiles. By an ironic twist of fate, Gentiles down through the centuries have excluded Jews. With the fires of Holocaust still burning in our minds, we ask who, indeed, hid the good news from the Nazis that not only German Gentiles but also German Jews were included in the kindness of God? Did God hide that good news from the Nazis or did they hide it from themselves?
Today we ask who hides the good news that women in the church are also included in the kindness of God? Does God hide that good news from the church institution, or does a male-driven institution hide that good news from itself? Today we ask who hides the good news that gays are included in the kindness of God? Does God hide that good news from the religious right or from homophobes, or do they hide that good news from themselves? Who hides the good news that Call to Action Catholics are included in the kindness of God? Does God hide that good news from the church institution, or does the institution hide it from itself?
Who hides the good news that Western infidels are included in the kindness of Allah? Does Allah hide that good news from Islamic extremists, or do they hide it from themselves? If there’s mystery here, it is this: why would God or Allah or anyone else ever want to hide the Good News (Gospel) of Inclusion?
Conclusion
Epiphany: the Good News of Inclusion
All the great religious stories (whether Jewish, Islamic or Christian) need a Star of Epiphany to purify them of exclusion. They need a Star of Epiphany to proclaim to them the Good News of Inclusion. The church institution also needs a Star of Epiphany to proclaim to it the Good News of Inclusion. We all need a Star of Epiphany to summon us to move over and make room for those for whom we have no room.
When Jesus came into the world, there was no room for Him in the inn. When He was carried into the temple as an infant, the old man Simeon held Him in his arms and declared Him to be “a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Lk 2:32) When He was leaving this world which had no room for Him in the inn, He said to us, "In my Father's house there is much room." (Jn 14:2)
When Jesus came into the world, there was no room for Him in the inn. When He was carried into the temple as an infant, the old man Simeon held Him in his arms and declared Him to be “a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Lk 2:32) When He was leaving this world which had no room for Him in the inn, He said to us, "In my Father's house there is much room." (Jn 14:2)
[1] By the “the unchurched” is especially meant not those who have left the church but those whom the church has left!
[2] Acts of the Apostles 17:24
