Little Epiphanies

Today’s Readings - Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:1-12 Matthew 2:1-12 Psalm 72:1-7,10-14

Today as the sun begins to lighten the dark morning sky, I am aware of the abundant symbolism of light in our faith tradition. Light in the readings for the Epiphany which we celebrate on the 6th of December each year, plays a significant role. It was the light of a star that three wise men followed, leading them to a house where with his mother, the infant who would be king lay sleeping, oblivious to the tremendous difference the light his life would make.

The word Epiphany which has come to be associated with this day, means “appearance or manifestation.” It is on this day that Western Christianity recognizes Christ’s manifestation to the Gentiles. The Magi were not Jewish, coming from the east it’s possible they were followers of Zoroastrianism, not Christianity. If they were astrologers as is one of the traditions, they were accustomed to watching and studying the heavens. For whatever reason, they believed this was a special star, a star that would lead them to the “child who has been born king of the Jews.” Their hearts appear to have been transformed and open to the mysterious ways of God and they followed.

I’m not always that confident in information that I hear. I tend to be skeptical. I ask questions and tread ahead carefully. Sometimes those who are extremely self-confident in their understanding of situations that are hard to pin down make me nervous. Unfortunately, this kind of confidence swings in a wide arc. People can be extremely self-confident in their understanding of scriptures, or God’s intentions to the detriment of what others may believe. Our history documents all too well the atrocities that were done, with utter confidence it was God’s will. I’m reminded of “Revelation,” a Flannery O’Connor short story, in which the protagonist is certain that God hates those whose lives and faith differ from her own. That is until she has an epiphany and realizes she’s been wrong all along.

Possibly the lesson for us all is that until we accept that God’s ways are not ours to understand, that the scriptures are God’s revelation of God’s self and that in many ways they may remain a mystery, we will continue making blunders based on our own egos and overly self-confident ways. Maybe if we prayerfully stay on the look-out for “Epiphanies,” for stars to lead us home; for those beautiful mysterious moments when God’s self is revealed in the most unexpected ways, then our eyes will be opened, and we will see the truth Christ came to reveal.   

Questions for Reflection: When was the last time you were overly confident in something only later to realize you were wrong? How do we look at our lives through the lens of God’s eyes? Looking for where God is present, listening for God’s still quiet voice.