The Epiphany of the Lord Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3 & 5-6; Mt 2:1-12 (Year B)
“Arise, shine out Jerusalem, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is rising on you. Though night still covers the earth and darkness the peoples.”
The prophet Isaiah skilfully described our longing for salvation as darkness searching for light. For sinful humanity, and indeed for every individual, there will always be moments of darkness. Thus the prophet Isaiah described the promised Messiah as the bearer of light, not only to Israel, but to all the nations. “I have appointed you as a covenant to the people and light of the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to free captives from prison, and those who live in darkness from the dungeon.”
On the feast of the Epiphany, we confess Christ as the light bringing sight to our blindness, and deliverance from hidden fear. “Lift up your eyes and look round: all are assembling and coming towards you, your sons from far away and daughters being tenderly carried.”
Sin’s undoubted consequence is the dissolution and scattering of our most cherished hopes. We see this daily in family breakdown, divisive wars and crippling poverty. We see it also in the isolation of old age and failing health.
At the Epiphany, we celebrate Christ as the light gathering together the hidden self, all that has been lost and scattered in darkness. “At this sight you will grow radiant, your heart throbbing and full; since the riches of the sea will flow to you; the wealth of the nations shall come to you.”
Matthew’s Gospel describes darkness searching for light in his narrative of the wise men following their star. They came from afar, from the very periphery of the known world. At first the star had been but a glimmer on a distant horizon. They followed it faithfully, until finally, its resting filled them with delight.
Such is our own journey into the presence of God. At times life’s distractions blind us to His presence. At such times we must pause, carefully searching our darkness. There, in patient prayer, we shall discern the glimmers of his presence. To follow the least sign of his presence is to come, ultimately, to the only sight that fills the spirit with enduring delight. “Falling to their knees, they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.”
May we surrender ourselves, and all that is best within us, to his dawning light.
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