Festival of Epiphany

THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL: Matthew 2: 1-12 (MESSAGE)

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory— this was during Herod's kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, "Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We're on pilgrimage to worship him."  When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, "Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?"  They told him, "Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly:

 

   It's you, Bethlehem, in Judah's land,

      no longer bringing up the rear.

   From you will come the leader

      who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel."

Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, "Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I'll join you at once in your worship." Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!  They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.  In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country.

Today is Epiphany, which is the day when we read and hear about the royal journeyers from the East visiting the Holy Family.  Their path was long and circuitous.  It was fraught with misinformation and threat, yet they journeyed on to see this miracle that they were seeking.

On this festival day, where is God leading us?  Do we have the stamina and commitment to journey on even if our path, like the wise guys, is filled with challenges and struggles and takes a very long time?  In our lives of faith, what epiphany is God leading us toward?

As we reflect on this blessed day, may the path be clear and the light brilliant for our journey.