Daily Reflection January 5 and 6, 2025 |
The Epiphany of the Lord Lectionary: 20 Isaiah 60:1-6 |
Celebrating Christmas home page The Annual Epiphany Proclamation: |
Pope Francis' Epiphany homilies: 2019 | 2018| 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | |
Today’s readings accompany the feast of the Epiphany when we celebrate the Magi’s visit to our Lord. Epiphany means “manifestation” that reveals something previously hidden or unknown. Human efforts are generally involved in discoveries that occur in the natural world. We must try many different angles or approaches before discovery occurs. Complex facts must be assessed or unraveled before we can see the path to solve a problem or explain a situation, and the answers we formulate are sometimes controversial. They are also subject to revision as we continue to add to our partial knowledge. We do not always see so clearly at first, but clarity may come over time. These human dimensions of manifestation are present in the Epiphany of our Lord. Isaiah’s prophetic words speak of revelation manifested in light piercing through clouds and darkness that cover the earth and all its peoples. This past Christmas Eve, my wife and I looked back to the voyage of Apollo 8, which orbited the moon on Christmas Eve in 1968. The astronauts took turns reading from Genesis, sharing ancient truths while revealing images of our beautiful blue planet from a vantage point that no human had seen before. Light does indeed shine in the darkness. But we who dwell in the midst of trouble and confusion cannot always see the beauty of that light. Isaiah points to the light of the glory of the Lord, which guides and draws other peoples to come to it. Hearts overflow with joy and love when this occurs. The image of sons and daughters coming together from afar strikes a particularly beautiful chord, as many of us long for family unity and reconciliation. Abundance and riches are also part of Isaiah’s vision, but they would have no value apart from the fulfillment of the reconciliation promised here. Riches without security spell trouble: someone will destroy your peace by taking them from you while you live, and they will provide no comfort when you die. Generations waited for these words to be fulfilled. The incarnation of our Lord had indeed brought a glorious light to dwell on earth, and that light was to shine upon all. But not all could understand or see the light. Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians explains that mysteries hidden in past times have now been revealed, bringing reconciliation to both Jew and Gentile. The apostles, guided by the Holy Spirit, brought further clarity to the mystery as they grew in understanding of all that our Lord taught them. Today’s gospel presents the Magi, a group of Gentile seekers coming to find the baby, Jesus, led by divine light. They diligently sought, considered, and followed the light together in a quest to find and pay homage to this newborn King. Herod professes a similar desire, but he had no solidarity with them; paying homage was not in his heart. Perhaps the Magi already discerned this and their suspicion was confirmed when they were warned in a dream. One wonders if several Magi had the same dream, or only one of them, which would have required trust. We live downstream from these events, and yet we also must dwell with uncertainty, waiting patiently for all to be fulfilled. Like the faithful of old, we must walk in the light we have. We have gifts they did not enjoy, including life supported by the sacraments and the Church, but we also must persist in hope despite a world of trouble and confusion, guided by divine light. Do not forget: Christ has come. Christ is here. Christ is coming again. Thanks be to God. |
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