Epiphany
Donna Joy

Psalm 72, Matthew 2:1-12

Well, the year 2020 was quite the year… Because of a global pandemic, we have lived, and continue to live, with isolation that all-too-often includes loneliness and the agony of mental health concerns, confusion, fear, exhaustion… Senior citizens, cut off from those they love, often without the benefit of computers which have become a lifeline for so many. Their adult children, not able to visit with their mothers, fathers, grandparents. Young parents, initially, and for some still today, homeschooling while also trying to maintain full time jobs from home… the exhaustion level associated with such circumstances, often to the point of breaking. Children, desperately longing to be with – to play with - their friends. People, like myself, feeling the weight of responsibility to figure out how to be church in the midst of government and diocesan regulations… relying on pastors, wardens, and others to work collaboratively through all this and the challenges along the way. Small business owners, as they suffer the pain of potentially losing all that they have worked towards; those for whom this potential crisis has become a reality. All those for whom unemployment has been and continues to be a reality. Teachers working long hours, continually adapting to new and necessary regulations. Doctors, nurses, and all those involved in health care, working tirelessly, and making sacrifices beyond our understanding, so that those who are sick may receive the care they need. Those who are sick with COVID, especially to the point that breathing is not possible without the help of a machine. Those who love those who are sick, and unable to be with them, hold their hand, embrace them. And, in addition to all this, there is the rising number of people living below the poverty line, and because of this pandemic, having to rely – increasingly – on inner city ministries such as St. Matthew’s and Shalom Mission. With this, of course, comes the increased demands on those responsible for these ministries.

All this has been, and continues to be, our reality as we have travelled, once again, to Bethlehem in search of a light that shines brighter than isolation, fatigue, anxiety, loneliness, sickness, and confusion. This Christmas, in the midst of all this, we have celebrated the coming of this great light; that is, the birth of the Christ child – an event that has radiated throughout the whole of the solar system, so that in Luke’s Gospel, lowly shepherds are drawn to this light where they discover the child.

And in this morning’s reading from Matthew, magi from a whole other nation are drawn to this light where they find the child. That was a terrible time with the Roman rule that seems committed to rampant injustice, oppression, and conflict, and this pandemic time, is a tough challenge for many today. But in the midst of the deepest of darkest times, a great light shines. Not only does it shine, but it also shines in the lives of those possibly feeling isolated, while living on the margins (shepherds), and those who come from away (magi).

So, first something about the Magi, these mysterious pilgrims – they can rightfully be defined as pilgrims because they are people who travel to a shrine or a holy place as ones who are to love, admire, and potentially support the One they are about to discover. There is a lot about them that we simply cannot know for sure. The history of the Christian church has tended to identify them as kings, which they likely were not; travelling on camels which is not actually mentioned anywhere in the New Testament. These images come from the Prophet Isaiah; also our Psalm for today, Psalm 72. But what does seem clear in Matthew’s Gospel is that they were noble and enlightened figures, representative not only of learning and wisdom, but also power and wealth.

These learned and wise individuals who represent great power and wealth: they are immediately overwhelmed with joy and fall to their knees to worship and give thanks for the gift of this new and different king. They are humbled in his presence. They may have all sorts of influence and clout in the world, but in the presence of this new Prince of Peace they fall to their knees. They fall to their knees and they offer Him treasured gifts: Gold (valuable metal used to create items of great beauty; also a form of currency that such travelers would carry with them); Frankincense (regarded as sacred and considered an agent of healing); Myrrh (something to develop spiritual awareness, also used for embalming – perhaps in anticipation of his death…) I’ll let you decide if you think these would be considered essential items… A significant piece of what Matthew is helping us see is that in the Age to Come all who follow this star – all who become pilgrims – and discover the child will bring their treasures and offer them to God’s only Son. Everything that is honorable, beautiful, and good will perpetuate this radiant light.

But here’s the thing. It didn’t miraculously create a perfect world. When Kind Herod discovers that these important people are searching for this child ‘who has been born king’ he becomes frightened. HIS life is NOT immediately transformed by this birth; this event. His fear turns to rage and his rage turns to revenge. He tries to enlist the magi to get back to him with news about where this child may be found, but their wisdom overrides that of Herod, and they return to their own country by another road.

The very birth of this child, God’s own son, turns the world upside down. Rulers become afraid that their place of power is at risk. This child is to grow up, and show us the very face and character of God: God’s unconditional, sacrificial love… This child’s ministry is to lead him to the cross; he carries with him to that torturous place all the sins of humanity that led him there; and when his dead, lifeless body rises from the tomb we discover that for the rest of time love, humility, kindness, fairness will – in the end – overpower all the unjust and disruptive powers of this world. We may not – we do not – always see evidence of this truth in this particular moment, but we live – as a Christian people – in hope, that through our faithfulness, with God’s help, this perfect time will come.

This is the Christ we worship; the Christ to whom we fall on our knees in awe & wonder. This is the Christ we are called to follow; to live as he lived, so that his light may shine through us. This light shines through the gifts we share, as the Magi generously shared the gifts they had to give. The Magi did not keep their treasures in their packs; no – they dug deep and presented the very best of what they had to give.

This light has been shining – brightly – throughout this pandemic time. I’ve witnessed so many examples of people digging deep and presenting the very best they have to give in order to improve the quality of life for others. Here in this parish we have people who work in hospitals and personal care homes, risking their own health and safety in order to care for others; we have teachers, working tirelessly in teaching and guiding our children… We have a strong parish caring ministry team, working diligently to stay in touch with those who may be feeling particularly isolated. Outreach Ministry Team continues to lead this parish in reaching out to those in our communities who may be searching for support. Christian education for all ages, liturgical leadership roles, financial ministries, hospitality… all this – and more - serves as a reminder that this parish continues to dig deep and share the best that you have to offer… that is, gifts to be shared so that God’s light may shine through you as individual disciples, and collectively… as a faith community.

Indeed, we are called to offer to God – generously - the very best we have to give; certainly our money, our talents, and our time. Through the generous and faithful sharing of our gifts, Christ’s light continues to shine in the darkest of places. I personally want to commend this parish for being channels through which this light has shone this past year. I know, that with God’s help, this light will continue to shine through the many gifts you share. Amen. May it be so.