THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
4 JANUARY 2015
The magi
used their own human reason and the science of astrology to search for the
newborn King. Imagine if they had
today's technology. After checking out a
variety of philosophies and spiritual exercises, they would have connected
their GPS system onto the backs of their camels and began their journey. Once the GPS had guided them into Jerusalem,
it would have told them: "turn right
at the next intersection, and then take the 3rd exit on the roundabout. Herod's Palace is the second palace on your
left." And then they would have
lost their signal, because the latest technology and a variety of spiritual
practices could only lead them so far. Even
King Herod, with his massive ego and insecurities, knew that. He had to turn to the chief priests and the
scribes for directions. They knew that
God had continually revealed himself through the Scriptures. So, they quoted the prophet Micah and told
the magi to go to Bethlehem.
Many people
in our own day are honestly seeking for the truth. A recent poll reported that there is a large
percentage of Americans today who consider themselves "spiritual,"
but not "religious." I have sensed
this in our own parish. Many young
people are honestly searching for the truth, exploring many different paths and
looking at a variety of philosophies or spiritual practices to find God. At a certain level, there is nothing wrong
with this searching. But in itself, this
searching only goes so far. This human
searching looks for a God who will fit into comfortable categories and
preconceived notions of who God is.
We gather
here today, because we have learned that our spiritual searching can only lead
us so far. That is what the Magi
learned. In their search for God, they
found the One who had been searching for them.
We know the truth about the Incarnate Word of God, lying as a tiny child
in a manger, through the gifts given by the Magi. The gold speaks of his being the King of
kings. The frankincense reveals that he
is God. The myrrh points to his role as
Suffering Servant. He is born, so that
he will eventually die, have his dead body anointed with myrrh, and be raised
from the dead to share that rising with us.
An ancient
legend gives names and ages to the three magi.
Caspar was very young. Balthazar
was middle-aged. Melchior was a senior
citizen. When they arrived at Bethlehem,
each entered one at a time. Melchior met
an old man his age, and they spoke of memory and gratitude. Balthazar encountered a middle-aged teacher,
and they spoke passionately of leadership and responsibility. Caspar met a young prophet, and they talked about
reform and promise. After that, they
entered together to meet an infant with his mother. They began to understand that the Savior
speaks to each of us at every stage of life.
The elderly hear the call to integrity and wisdom. The middle-aged hear the call to generosity
and responsibility. The young hear the
call to authenticity and intimacy.
That is why
we gather in this church every Sunday to practice our religion. We hear the Word of God speaking to each of
us in our own specific situations, much as the Lord Jesus spoke to Saul of
Tarsus on the road to Damascus and revealed the mystery to him. We encounter his real presence in the
Eucharist, much as the magi encountered him when they entered that stable. We continue to reflect on the mysterious ways
in which the Lord dwells in our midst.
We leave this church changed by our encounter with the Lord, just as the
magi took another route home, signifying that their encounter with the newborn
King changed their lives forever. As we
reflect on the mystery of the Word Made Flesh dwelling in our midst and
practice our religion, we too can be a light to the nations, giving direction
to those who pursue their spiritual searching.
The Lord can use us as instruments, guiding honest seekers to the truth
which we explore.
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