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Epiphany of the Lord – Years A, B and C

• Epiphany is a story. It cannot be more than that since the detail is impossible to reconstruct. It is about foreigners/refugees, arriving in Jusdea, a foreign land. They go to King Herod – Antipas (the worst of the 3 Roman puppet Kings) and then to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born.
• Interestingly, they follow a star; the sight of the Christ-Child fills them with delight and joy and love.
• Cleverly, they return home, avoiding Herod and his mischievous intentions.
• This is a simple and well known story at Christmas time and closes the events of the birth of Jesus.
• One Bishop complained that the story could not be true because stars do not behave like that. He was a good scientist but a poor theologian.
• Even the Archbishop of Canterbury is suspicious about the Magi as wise men from the East. But those who saw the movie, “The Life of Pi”, know that stories are deeper than events. Life is more than the surface experience. That is why we need art and poetry.
• The point is that details are not the most important things in life. It is the deeper message of the human story. And who are we to question how the Church has interpreted the wonderful impact of the birth of Jesus.
• Like St Paul, we are struck by the deeper impact of life events. A vision not given to the pagans.
• Everyone, I guess, in this country, awakens to Christmas gifts and celebrations but fewer find in them the significance of the gift of Jesus.
• The story of Epiphany is the deeper story of gifts – the gift of Jesus, the Incarnate Son of God.
• Little wonder that the gospels spend so much time unpacking the meaning of the birth of Jesus for human life.
• Epiphany means shown to ALL people.
• No matter who you are; what your colour or language; whether man or women; Christian or not or no faith; young or old; rich or poor; Christ is given to us. He is shown to us as one without any social or political importance. He has no special honour or hierarchy.
• There were sinners in the stable somewhere; maybe everywhere; there were people of every social class and religion.
• I like to think that they were all filled with delight at the presence of God’s gift, given for all people.
• The horizons have been shifted and a boundless love sweeps us forward – without borders.
• Even today, Christ continues to be with the small and insignificant people of this world.
• He shows himself to be their hope.
• One of my Vietnamese students in the seminary in Macau sent me an email and at the bottom of the text he quoted his Cardinal – the one imprisoned for most of his life.
• It read: “I dream of a Church that is a Holy Door, always open, embracing all, full of compassion, that understands the pains and sufferings of humanity, protecting and consoling and guiding all people to the loving Father.”
• I dream of that Church too (As does Pope Francis I suspect). But I have not seen it yet. But I gain hope that it might one day be a reality by looking at Jesus, from the Father, and paying him homage.
• He who has promised salvation will make sure of it. The good will win out. And everybody will see that star in the small works of mercy and gifts of love that we become for others.
• In the Eucharist, we are routinely called to be part of that epiphany of Jesus by being bread for others. Not a bread that becomes Jesus (as Medieval theology got bogged down), but the real presence of Jesus. As flesh and blood, for the life of others and for the life of the world.
• That is the Church the world longs to see. Call it mercy, call it love, call it what you will, but it must be lifegiving.