Epiphany: Open Hearts and Minds to Worship and Wonder
Reflections on the readings for Epiphany of the Lord (January 7, 2018): IS 60:1-6; PS 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13; EPH 3:2-3A, 5-6; MT 2:1-12
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
This feast celebrates the Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ. The word comes from the Greek for manifestation or revelation and that is exactly what we have in the Gospel story told today. “When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, 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’” (Matthew 2:1-2). Now called wise men, kings, or astronomers, these Gentiles left their homes to follow a star and find a baby that would change the world. They did not know who this “newborn King of the Jews” was or what He would do. Yet through their cooperation with God’s grace they knew He was vital to their own lives and the lives of others.
Those travelers were willing to let a star be their guide. They put aside daily duties and personal concerns to let something else – Someone else – matter more. They arrived with valuable gifts to acknowledge the Infant’s kingship. But mostly importantly they came with open hearts and minds to worship and wonder in His presence. Let us be willing to do the same.
