Epiphanies
9 When they had heard the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 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. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. (Matthew 2:9-12)
It's often said that, after meeting Jesus, we can't return home the same way we came. That was literally true for the magi, likely astrologers, who visited the child, Jesus, after meeting with Herod, the king. Herod had feigned pure intent when asking the magi to tell him when they had located Jesus. Rather than worshiping Jesus, however, Herod actually intended to kill the child he believed to be a threat to his throne. But, in a dream, the magi were warned not to return to Herod - and they heeded that warning. The magi were the first gentiles to recognize the majesty of Jesus - possibly, the first to have any understanding of the fulness of who Jesus was. We glean this from the gifts they presented - gold (royalty), frankincense (priesthood), myrrh (burial preparation). It's their realization of God's revelation that we commemorate on Epiphany, but this was not the beginning or the end of God revealing God's self to the world.
Abraham heard God's promise, Moses saw the burning (but not consumed) bush, Noah heeded God's warning of a flood, the three Hebrew boys trusted God in a fiery furnace, Daniel did so in a lion's den, the prophets spoke God's warnings and encouragements, Mary and Joseph risked everything, John the baptizer prepared the way, the disciples believed when they didn't understand and spread the good news once they did understand. Epiphanies abound in our faith history, and somehow, someway, God has called out to each of us, allowing us to glimpse, or feel, or experience God's presence, guidance, and peace. In grand and small ways God continues to reveal God's self. The challenge is to accept the gift and surrender to the transformation heart, mind, and soul. We, like the magi, have the opportunity to go home a different way.
1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 2 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. 3 Nations shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn. (Isaiah 60:1-3)
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