THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD 6-Jan-08

Isaiah 60: 1-6 Ps 72 Ephesians 3: 2-6 Matt 2:1-12

We have all seen or heard how movies are made. The actors come on scene, the director shouts “Action” and then “cut” and the movie is made. We have all subconsciously been directors of the Feast today. We picture the Wiseman coming from the East. We have upgraded them to Kings. We have made them three in number. We have even given them names: Melchior, Balthazar and Gaspar. We see them come through desert storms like Lawrence of Arabia. We have added music to the movie: “We three Kings of Orient are” These are historical details and we take liberties.

But there is another director on the Scene. This is no fiction of the imagination. This is the heart of the mystery of today’s feast. The Director is the very person of God. Today is Part II of a three part Manifestation or Epiphany. The first was on Christmas Day: Jesus Christ was revealed by the angels to the Shepherds who watched their flocks by night. As a sequel, we had the feast of Mary, the Mother of God when Jesus was revealed to the People of Israel. Today, Jesus is made manifest to the whole world. Next Sunday in Part III, the Baptism of Jesus, we will be told: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

2. So what is the purpose of this Epiphany, this Manifestation to the Wise men from the East? Paul gave us the explanation on the Octave of Christmas, when we celebrated the Feast of Mary, the Mother of God. Then we heard Paul tell us:

In the fullness of time God revealed his Only Son

Born of a woman

Subject to the Law,

To redeem us all.

Today, God the Director upgrades the scene. This Mystery made manifest, is now to be proclaimed to the Gentiles. Now this was a bit disconcerting to the Jewish People. They considered themselves to the Chosen People of God, and so they were. But they also considered themselves to be the exclusive people of God. In this they were mistaken. The Kingdom of God, the goodness of God was for all. It was not limited. The Gentiles have become fellow heirs, and sharers in the promise made by Jesus Christ.

3. In our first reading from Isaiah, we are taken back to the People of Israel who have just returned from exile in Babylon. They are a discouraged and weary and tired group of people. Isaiah encourages them with the confirmation “your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has shone upon you.” The Christians in the post resurrection period will take this prophecy as an encouragement for themselves when they are being persecuted. The Light of Christ will shine in their midst giving them courage, hope and support.

However, this passage is included here for the added reason that wealth will come eventually to these exiles. The signs of this wealth are seen in two particular items: Gold and frankincense – the same items brought by the Wise Men from the East.

4. Our Gospel is from Matthew who has the exclusive story of the Wise Men. However, if we take Matthew’s Gospel alone, we would not have the following mysteries: 1. No Visitation of Angel Gabriel to Mary. 2. No visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. 3. No journey down from Nazareth. 4. No Bethlehem, no manger, no shepherds no angels.

As a result we would not have the delightful carols like Silent Night, O Holy Night, Angels we have heard on high, While shepherds watched their flocks by night. Matthew has his story centred round Joseph. The angel appears to Joseph in a dream. Joseph takes Mary for his wife. Then we have the Wise Men coming to meet Jesus who is already born and living in Bethlehem. Presumably, the census is over, people have gone back home, and Mary and Joseph and Jesus have moved into a home in Bethlehem.

5. Although we would like to stay with the Wise Men and curiously watch the presents being opened, we are invited to get out of the historical details and step into “the mystery”. God has taken the initiative. The glory of the Lord has shone upon you. Nevertheless, the Wise Men have to step out of their comfort zone in order to see the Glory of the Lord. They have left behind

- their “telescopes” by which they watched the stars

- their places of honour: they were wise men in their communities

- their security and their comfort.

We too are invited to do the same. We feel safe and secure. I go for daily Mass, I say the Rosary, I recite the Divine Mercy Devotions, I made the entire Christmas novena in spite of the Rain, I gave generously to the St. Vincent de Paul. And the Good Lord says: what more can you give me? That is the challenge the Wise Men from the East are putting before us on this feast day.

6. I noticed here in Guyana, that after every Mass and in every Parish, the Prayer for Vocations is said. We pray that the Spirit of Lord may anoint us so that we can answer the Lord’s Call. We are quick to sing in one of the Songs: Yes Lord, Yes Lord, Yes, Yes Lord. But if the Lord is actually calling me to come and preach the Message to those who are not Christians, especially by our way of life and our actions, are we ready or do we point to our neighbour and say call him, call her. Are we ready like the Wise Men to step out of our comfort zone, out of our fixed prayer times, out of our parishes and our favourite priest or bishop! If we do so we will not bring, but receive the wonderful gifts of Gold and Frankincense and Myrrh.