Gospel text for Feast of the Epiphany 9 January 2022

 Matthew 2:1-12        In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

`And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who is to shepherd my people Israel.’"

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road

Reflection        On fire with passion Michael Curry, the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, preached for the Feast of Epiphany in Washington D.C. on Thursday morning, January 6th. Here are a few of Curry’s words I have paraphrased. “ It never occurred to me… that it would be necessary to stand up before the people of God and insist we must reclaim epiphany.  What we saw a year ago on January 6th at the United States Capitol was not about light. This day, Epiphany, is about light, the light shining in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it. …. because we are better than that.  We who claim to be followers of Jesus must reclaim Epiphany and bear witness to the light.” 

Twenty five hundred years ago the prophets wrote in the present tense. “Arise, shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”        “Your light has come….”  The light, life and love of God lives at the core of our being and this light, life and  love of God is meant to flow out of us,  to be given away extravagantly for the benefit of others. We are meant to be epiphanies.

Epiphany is about allowing the light, life and love of God already present in the heart of each of us to shine into the world.  As people of God we are imbued with these precious gifts. But we are not meant to hoard or hold onto them. We are meant to be epiphanies shining these gifts into world. I believe this is how we respond to Curry’s call to reclaim epiphany; emulate the wise men by consciously choosing to go out of our way (even when it means encountering strangers) to offer the gifts of God’s light, life and love to the world.

Each one of us must decide how we will engage the darkness. Do we choose to adopt the mindset of the wise men, go out of our way and deliver our gifts of light, life and love to the world or do we defer to the dark ways of King Herod, living in fear and scheming to secure our wealth and power even when it means the killing of innocents?  What do you choose?

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Hebrew and Gospel Texts observing The Epiphany 3 January 2021

 

Isaiah 60:1-6        Arise, shine; for your light has come,

and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

For darkness shall cover the earth,

and thick darkness the peoples;

but the Lord will arise upon you,

and his glory will appear over you.

Nations shall come to your light,

and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Lift up your eyes and look around;

they all gather together, they come to you;

your sons shall come from far away,

and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms.

Then you shall see and be radiant;

your heart shall thrill and rejoice,

because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,

the wealth of the nations shall come to you.

A multitude of camels shall cover you,

the young camels of Midian and Ephah; 

all those from Sheba shall come.

They shall bring gold and frankincense,

and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.

Matthew 2:1-12        In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

`And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who is to shepherd my people Israel.’"

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Reflection        When I came to the phrase in today’s gospel text describing the wise men as being, “overwhelmed with joy,” everything in me screeched to a halt. What happens in those moments when we are “overwhelmed with joy?” We stop, draw in our breath, and can almost hear the prophecy of Third Isaiah, 

“Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, (nothing is left out) the wealth of the nations shall come to you. (there is no more to seek)”

A special kind of knowing accompanies being “overwhelmed with joy,” knowing that surpasses rational understanding. Knowing that is rich and ripe and radiant. When we let this radiant knowing enlighten us, like the wise men who are not duped by Herod’s plot to extinguish the light, we can turn our lives around to go a different way, a way illumined by the radiance of joy.  

I believe joy is the Real Presence of God with us. In those moments when we are moved to pause, draw in our breath and taste the sublime perfection of joy, like the wise men we naturally open the treasure chests of our hearts to be and to give the very best of who we are. Here is the thing. We are the wise ones. We know the child of light and hope for all people has been born. We have seen the star and it has enlightened our minds. Now the question is, will we open the treasure chests of our hearts to be the radiant beings bearing gifts of joy for all humankind?

On December 21st low in the southwestern sky Saturn and Jupiter crossed paths, and for a moment they appeared as if one brilliant celestial body. Many wondered, “Could this be the second coming of the Star of Bethlehem?”

Contemporary theologians agree the two thousand year old story of the Star of Bethlehem is unlikely to have been an astronomical event because stars do not move from the east, turn left, drop to the south and stop over a particular dwelling. It is more likely the writer of Matthew’s gospel uses star as a metaphor (the only gospel in which it appears) to accentuate the importance of the birth of Jesus. Nonetheless, the celestial event on December 21st, 2020 was very exciting.

At the conclusion of a year fraught with every order of disease, disappointment and disaster the “Star of Bethlehem” beamed above us as a beacon of hope. This celestial event led us to stop whatever we were doing, go outside, be still, gaze into the night sky and allow our hearts and imaginations to soar. Again, as our prophet professes, 

“Then you shall see and be radiant;

your heart shall thrill and rejoice,

We “see” and we “be” radiant when like the wise men we stop our preoccupation with the myriad details of daily life, take the risk of walking into the uncertainty of darkness and make ourselves available to be “overwhelmed with joy.” Joy comes, not when we strive to contrive it, but when we show up and allow it to arise through us.

 I have been reading a leadership book called “Flying Lead Change” that gleans its wisdom from the nature of horses and humans. Quoting one of her teachers the author, Kelly Wendorf writes, “Don’t let your dreams obscure the joy that is already here.” I love that counsel and pray we will all take it to heart. “Don’t let your dreams obscure the joy that is already here.”

We are meant not only to see but also to be the radiant star. Sometimes our dreams of what we think we want or need or must have are the very things that obscure the radiance of joy that is already here. As the prophet Isaiah reminds us, 

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”

That which we seek has already been born and is with us right now.  

“because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, (nothing is missing)

the wealth of the nations shall come to you.” (we are already more than enough)

The call to action for 2021 is to be radiant, allowing joy to shine through us and enlighten the world. We are the radiance of the star. We are the vision of the wise ones. And we are the hope of the poor peasant child. 

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Matthew 2:1-12        In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

`And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Reflection        Walking south on Shattuck on the East Side of the bay in Berkeley, California, heading toward Church Divinity School of the Pacific I lost count of the number of homeless people over or around whom I had to step. It was my first day in seminary. Before I arrived at the chapel for Morning Prayer I had given away my lunch and cash. Following a week of this heart wrenching ritual I went to my faculty advisor, The Rev. Dr. Louis Weil, and asked, “What shall I do?”

After duly acknowledging the gravity of the situation Louis counseled, “Choose one person, make them your person and take care of them.” Now you might think this would be easy, but how, oh how could I possibly choose one person out of the hundreds in need? Every day I walked, scanned the sidewalks, curbs and benches silently asking, “Are you my person?” Every day until the late afternoon I saw a star shining in the eyes of a man sitting on the sidewalk, back against the street sign outside the corner Blockbuster franchise. (For those who may not know, once upon a time people actually walked into brick and mortar shops like Blockbuster to rent videos!) I will call “my person”  Zeke.

I have no idea how I knew that I knew that Zeke was “my person,” but that is what epiphany is about. It is recognizing the divine in the world around us, in the people we encounter. And the natural response is to offer our gifts. Most days for the next three years I made my way to Zeke’s corner, offered a gift of cash or lunch, conversation, or help getting an id card and access to human services. Each time I looked into Zeke’s pacific eyes I recognized divinity therein and realized, I needed Zeke more than he needed me.  You see, Zeke always had the last word, pausing after each utterance to articulate his benediction, “God….bless…. you.”

Epiphany celebrates the journey of the wise bringing gifts to honor the Incarnation, the enfleshed presence of Divinity. Which begs several questions. Are we recognizing the presence of the Christ in the people around us? Are we being deceived by the rich and worldly? Are we seeing the Christ in the least, the lost and the lonely? Are we celebrating the revelation of Christ present by offering our gifts unselfishly?

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Gospel text for Feast of the Epiphany 6 January 2019

Matthew 2:1-12        In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, 

"In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

`And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who is to shepherd my people Israel.’"

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Reflection        This is the Feast of the Epiphany, the twelfth day of Christmas during which we receive the sum of all the possible gifts.

12 drummers drumming

11 pipers piping

10 lords a leaping

9 ladies dancing

8 maids a milking

7 swans a swimming

6 geese a laying

5 golden rings 

4 calling birds 

3 french hens

2 turtle doves and 

a partridge in a pear tree.

When  we add up all the gifts during the twelve days of Christmas we discover 364 gifts are given - one for each day of the year, except Christmas. Why? Let me suggest that Christmas is the day we receive the gift that surpasses all gifts. The gift of return to innocence, innocence as represented by the newborn child wrapped in rags and tucked into a feeding trough.

Epiphany is a dramatic and unmistakable realization that something that really, really, really matters is going on.  It dawns on us that something more, something worth seeking that reason fails to satisfy, initiates our journey. And so we join the wise men seeking the meaning, value and benefit represented by the innocent newborn.

What do we find along the way? Potentates who strive to use the wise men, or us, for their personal gain (think Herod calling the wise men to his court), manipulating people with their invitations to positions of privilege and promises of worldly gain. We find rulers who are willing to misuse their power to exterminate anyone who threatens their command (think Herod ordering all boy children in Bethlehem under the age of two to be killed).

Throughout history wise men (and women) have traveled vast distances to seek something more than worldly powers can offer. I believe the wise ones are seeking the true gift of Christmas, innocence. Innocence like that revealed to us in the newborn wrapped in rags in Bethlehem, the gift of Christmas that surpasses all others is the meaning, value and benefit of innocence.

Something deep inside us stirs when we watch our children’s Christmas pageant and sing “O little town of Bethlehem.” That sweet nostalgic sense is our yearning to return to the empty, open, receptivity of innocence. This is the unsurpassed gift of Christmas, a gift born on the breathe of an infant, drenched in the love of God and unsullied by the travesties of time. Innocence.  And because we are innocent as the newborn wrapped in rags and tucked into a feeding trough we are open and available to receive all of the gifts of the Spirit.

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Feast of the Epiphany 7 January 2018

Matthew 2:1-12        In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

`And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who is to shepherd my people Israel.’"

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Reflection      Is it not interesting that King Herod the Great, renowned for his colossal building projects, for expanding the Second Temple in Jerusalem, developing  a commercial seaport in Caesarea, establishing two mighty fortresses and a wealthy aristocracy, is it not interesting that when he hears that strangers, foreigners from the East are looking for a “child who has been born king of the Jews,” he and his chief priests and the Jewish people of Jerusalem are frightened? These are the people who have long awaited the coming of their messiah. Why are they not, like the Gentile wise men, “overwhelmed with joy” and led to worship and pay homage to this Jewish child? Why are they afraid?

Perhaps it is because in their heart of hearts they know the ground on which they stand is shaky. In the depths of their hearts they know the truth, that the messiah, Jesus, is a threat to the privilege and position they enjoy as a result of their misuse of power. Knowing, either consciously or unconsciously, that their power is rooted in self interest and delivered with brutality, Herod and friends can see the handwriting on the wall. Jesus, the messiah, is a challenge to their privilege and position thus they are afraid.

When my father groaned, “Young lady…” I knew I was in trouble and quaked in fear. I have no recollection of how I transgressed this particular time, but his apprisal rings in me clear as a bell. “As long as you do what you know is right and tell the truth, you will have no reason to be afraid.” Though I frequently did not agree with my father, this bit of counsel has informed my life and leads me to speculate that Herod and his cronies must not be doing what they know in their heart of hearts is right. They must not be telling the truth, not even to themselves, or they would not be afraid.

In his Christmas Eve meditation Richard Rohr wrote,“Both love and power are the necessary building blocks of God’s peaceful kingdom on earth. Love utterly redefines the nature of power. Power without love is mere brutality (even in the church), and love without power is only … sentimentality… The Gospel in its fullness holds power and love together, creating new hope and healing for the world.”*

The Feast of the Epiphany celebrates the revelation of God incarnate in humankind, exemplified by Jesus throughout his ministry. In contrast to Herod, Jesus is led by the Spirit of Truth in his heart. He favors the least, the lost and the lonely, raises up the humble, empowers the meek, includes the marginalized, frees the oppressed and welcomes foreigners. Jesus holds “power and love together creating new hope and healing for the world.” 

We are capable of doing likewise because the Spirit of Truth lives within us and when, like the wise men we allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit of Truth, we will exercise power with love and there is every chance we too will be “overwhelmed with joy.”  We will not be afraid. 

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* https://cac.org/breach-menders-2017-12-24/

Gospel text for Feast of the Epiphany, Sunday 8 January 2017

Matthew 2.1-12        In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: `And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’"

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Reflection       “Why do we give one another gifts?” Habit? Duty? Obligation? Guilt? Manipulation? I believe gifts given in the genuine sense of giving are the outward and visible sign of our interior state, our intrinsic good will. Some gifts reveal our sense of gratitude, some extend healing, others communicate our inner desire for reconciliation, still others express our interior state of reverence or love. Given this way, gifts are means by which we make visible our hidden or invisible thoughts and emotions. When we choose the so called perfect gift for someone we are communicating by our choice that we know and value them as the unique person they are. 

Which leads us to the wise men in today’s teaching story. Finding the child Jesus they are “overwhelmed with joy,” they open their treasure chests (their hearts?) and carefully choose the perfect gifts for the infant Jesus, gifts that reveal they know and value the unique person Jesus. The wisdom of the wise is to look beyond appearances of  destitute Jewish parents with a newborn lying in an animal feeding trough, and see a human being, a divine being, a fragile being destined to die.  

As with all good teaching stories, the wisdom is hidden between the lines.  The wisdom of the wise men is hidden in the gifts they bring. Gold represents humanity. Frankincense represents divinity and myrrh is used when preparing bodies for burial. The wise men’s gifts are the outward and visible signs of their interior understanding of the true nature of this child, Jesus. Human, divine and destined to die.

The wise mens’ well chosen gifts communicate, “We see you for who you truly are.” Like the brightness of a star that illumines the entire world, the foreigners’ perspicuity  elevates the exchange of gifts from expressions of mass marketing or mad materialism to a spiritual transaction. 

Celebrating the Feast of the Epiphany we receive the incomprehensible gift given to all of humanity; the revelation that like our brother Jesus we are human beings, divine beings and fragile beings destined to die. There are no foreigners, there are no strangers. There are no “others.” Receiving this news we join the wise men, overwhelmed with joy and reaching into our hearts we search for the perfect gift to communicate we know and value each person we meet for who they uniquely are; human, divine and utterly fragile.

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Gospel text for the Feast of the Epiphany 3 January 2016

Episcopal Church of the Apostles "Change for Change" initiative

led by our families with young children
helps children in Tanzania go to school 

by supporting Julius' "Pigs & Chickens" business.

**

Matthew 2:1-12         In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

`And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Reflection       Not all kings are cut from the same cloth. King Herod the Great hears about a child born King of the Jews and he is “frightened.” An unknown number of Wise Kings from the East are “overwhelmed with joy” as they approach the child born kKng of the Jews. The mere thought of this child turns power hungry Herod to scheming infanticide. The sight of this child with his mother Mary humbles the Wise Kings who offer him precious gifts from their treasures. 

One newborn child. Such divergent responses. Whereas King Herod is striving to secure his position and power, the Wise Kings are seeking God. Herod acts on his own, seeking his personal benefit regardless of the cost to others. The Wise Kings act together, offering their treasures for the good of a foreign stranger, the newborn Messiah. 

Which makes me think of Jesus’ description of sheep and goats in the 25th chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew. The attitudes and behavior Jesus ascribes to the sheep can be summarized as compassion. “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you … for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” The interesting twist is, Jesus never says, “You are blessed because you gave food to the starving, or welcomed a stranger.” Jesus says, “You are blessed because “I” was hungry and your gave “me” food. You are blessed because “I” was a stranger and you welcomed “me”.” (Matt 25.32-46)

The Wise Kings’ attitude of reverence and generosity puts them in right relationship with God, which naturally brings them close to the child born Messiah, and they are blessed. Likewise when we  adopt the attitude and behaviors that manifest God’s compassion on earth, we are blessed.

When we align our will in the will of God we are inclined to care for the weakest and most vulnerable among us because our heart is transformed in accord with the heart of God. This is what it means to be reconciled or in right relationship with God. We are blessed because we are in right relationship with God, not because we do good works. Good works flow naturally out of our blessed relationship with God, and God in us is manifest. 

** Church of the Apostles’ young families spearhead a small business development ministry in partnership with a young man, Julius, in Tanzania. In gratitude for all that we have been given our children have asked us to put our “Change for Change” into piggy banks when ever we are thankful for something. When our personal piggies are full and fat we bring the change to the big pink pig at church, which when full we send 100% of the money to Julius who buys and raises “Pigs and Chickens” to support his family as well as five other children who otherwise could not go to school. If you would like to contribute please go to http://www.ovapostles.org/online-giving.html and note “Change for Change.” Thank you. 

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Gospel text for The Celebration of the Epiphany, 4 January 2015

Matthew 2:1-12          In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: `And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Reflection       Gifts are more than a material exchange, more than a commercial transaction. Gifts are signs of spiritual, holy, sacred, nonmaterial connection. Gifts are about the unseen though palpable relationship between the giver and the receiver. I believe that is why the wise men traveled far to pay their respect and offer gifts of great value to the newborn peasant Jesus. The wise men had eyes to see beyond the meagre external circumstance of an infant. The wise men had eyes to see Divinity hidden within.

Five Chrtistmasses ago I received an especially meaningful gift. It was the last gift under the tree at my daughter Leela’s home. She looked into my eyes as she handed it to me. I tore through the wrapping paper until my breath caught in my throat. In my hands, captured in time by a simple snapshot, was my  mother and me. In the picture my back was to the camera because I was facing my mother. Her head was tossed back, eyes twinkling, mouth open issuing great guffaws of laughter. 

Four months earlier my mother died. I had never seen this photograph, but Leela did. She chose it for me with her sense and sensibility of the mother daughter relationship. She knew me and she loved me.  When she offered me this gift the goodness within her flowed to me and touched the emptly place left in my mother’s wake. 

Perhaps you recall a time you received a gift that was especially meaningful to you? I would venture to guess it was not its material value that gave it meaning. Rather is was about the relationship of which it was a sign.

Gifts are about spiritual connection, about the recognition of something more within ourselves and within the person to whom the gift if given. A wisely chosen gift   distinguishes the presence of something good and pure in us and the other person. A wisely chosen gift reveals our insight, our capacity to see beyond external appearances and discern the presence of something hidden, something Divine in the other person.

This is the meaning of Epiphany; the celebration of the revelation of Divinity, God, as a human being in Jesus Christ. And so we offer our gifts to God as a sign of our love, a sign of what cannot be seen within us. We offer our gifts so that the goodness within us us will flow to acknoweldge Divinity hidden in all of humanity. 

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Gospel for Epiphany Sunday, 6 January 2014

Matthew 2:1-12             In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

`And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Reflection      Three gifts. What three gifts do each one of us have to lay at the feet of the least among us? What three gifts do we have to express our recognition and gratitude for the revelation that God is with us... with all people .. all of the time?

According to the writer of Matthew’s gospel the epiphany of Jesus, which is to say, the revelation of God present in this world of ours, was accompanied by the offering of three gifts, three extravagant gifts. The question is, does the custom of offering our most precious gifts to respectfully acknowledge the value and worth of other people - even strangers - even a virtually homeless infant - does the custom of dignifying others by offering our gifts continue among us today?

Let’s begin with this morning. How many of us woke up this morning, looked outside and marveled at the diversity, complexity and beauty of creation? How many of us recognized the artistry and elegance of nature as a revelation of God present? How many of us offered our gifts of praise, reverence and conscious care for this fragil earth our island home? How many of us made choices to revere and respect the earth, even at our own expense?

How many of us walked into a public place this day, looked into the eyes of friends and strangers, saw weariness and vigor, suffering and joy? How many of us recognized the tenacity and infirmity of our sisters and brothers as a revelation of God present? How many of us offered our gifts to comfort, encourage and support humanity? How many of us made choices to dignify every human being, even at our own expense?

How many of us remember the words of the prophet Isaiah, “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you?” (60.1) How many of us have experienced the intuition or insight into the reality that God is closer to us than our own breath? Paul says it this way, “God’s love (or light) has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us?” (Romans 5.5) How many of us understand the light and love of God lives at the very center of our being and this light, this love of God is meant to flow out of us for the benefit of others? 

Don’t you see, that is what it means to open our treasure chests. That is what it means to offer our most precious gifts to respect and dignify every person - especially the least among us. That is what the Magi did two thousand years ago, and as continuing revelations or epiphanies of God present we are intended to do likewise.  What three gifts will you lay at the feet of the least among us?

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Gospel text for Sunday 6 January 2013

Matthew 2:1-12     In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

 `And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Reflection    I read this story of a frightened king, his kow-towing officials, astrologers who go out of their way to follow a dream, and a peasant girl who consents to let her world be turned upside down based on her encounter with an angel, and ask myself, what is the wisdom here? What possible meaning is here for me? Oddly enough, the aphorism that leaps to mind is AWTTW - A Word To The Wise. 

According to Ben Franklin, "A word to the wise is enough, and many words won't fill a bushel." Clearly, the wisdom of Franklin’s aphorism predeeded his time as is evident in the story of the “men from the East... in the time of King Herod” who searched for and found “the child who has been born king of the Jews.” With little information to go on (one sentence uttered by an ancient prophet and an ah-hah moment) the men from the East hit their mark and were rewarded with joy.  Apparently the astrologers were also familiar with another bit of wisdom, “Keep your eyes open and your mouth shut.” They evaded the duplicitious Herod, “and left for their country by another road.”

I like to think the astrologers saw the handwriting on the wall, as well as in the stars, when Herod secretly called them, questioned them and sent them to Bethlehem in pursuit of information. Surely they sensed that Herod was unsettled. Surely they read between the lines that something was going on with significant social and political implications. So they kept their mouths shut, continued on their way, found the new life they were looking for, and did not spill the beans. 

So what is the wisdom in this story for me? When I have a spark of illumination, an ah-hah moment, a golden glimmer of the peace and love and joy that assures me God is with me and for me, don’t get distracted. Remember it is a treasure, a gift comparable to gold, frankincense or myrrh. Don’t let social and political forces (read, people and their agendas) disturb my peace, colllide with my love or meddle with my joy, steal my gift. Just keep my mouth shut and keep on going. Be wise. Read between the lines. A Word To The Wise Is Sufficient. The wise don’t need lengthy explanations. 

(If you click on Wisdom (Proverbs 8) above and to the right, you will see the full image of Proverbs 8)