What follows is my "lectio" reflection on WAOB radio for the Feast of the Epiphany, this year on Sunday, January 2nd. The reflection was broadcast on Saturday, January 1st.
The first reading for the Mass on the Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord comes from Isaiah, chapter 60, verses 1 through 6.
Isaiah in the 60th chapter speaks of the hopes and dreams of his people, Israel. Israel here is represented by her major city, Jerusalem, which was minor in the economic and political situation of their times. Yet, like most nations, they thought highly of themselves and remembered the better moments of their history. This is the hope that Isaiah speaks of.
Here is what he says: "Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem. Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples, but upon you the Lord shines and over you appears his glory."
The one thing that Israel possessed that no other nation had was a relationship with God who held them close to his heart.
The prophet reminds Jerusalem that their greatness, which comes from their relationship with their Lord, will not be forgotten but will be restored. When that happens then they will be a light, a light that will shine for all nations.
He continues in verse 2: "Nations will walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about, they all gather and come to you; your sons from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses."
We are the new people of God, whose love extends the glory and the promise of Israel to all those who desire an answer to the meaning of life.
The Church is the new Jerusalem, and the Lord's glory shines in her so that she might be a "light to the nations", a light in a world of darkness.
The expansion of the promise and the sharing of the hope of that ancient people is what we celebrate on this Epiphany day.
When the magi came in search of the newborn King of the Jews, they were searching for something more than an earthly king, or a ruler of a people. Who they sought, they did not as yet know, or what they were looking for had not yet become clear.
But they were willing, as the "wise" among peoples, to set out on their journey, to give over their lives and their days to the probing of the stars of the sky and the wisdom of the world. They realized that there was darkness that surrounded them, and they desired something more - the light.
So they came ... to Jerusalem and Herod ... then to Bethlehem and Jesus. They found two kings ... but they found only one Lord, the light for the nations.
They brought their gifts, which reflected what was said in Isaiah: "they shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the Lord."
What do we bring to the Lord in our journey of discovery? Whatever we bring, make sure you give yourself to him.
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