Eucharistic Readings for the Epiphany
Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7,10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12:
“Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” (Matthew 2:2)
These travelers from some point East, have been called Wise Men or Magi (Magicians) and even kings. But further study by scholars have shown them to be Astrologers. They studied the heavens. Through assumption, we may have also wrongly supposed their number based on the gifts they brought, gold, frankincense and myrrh. The plural was used to say that there were more than one, but it actually could have been two or two hundred. Maybe some of the gifts were duplicated or one brought more than one kind. I only say this to show how we readers can jump to conclusions without supporting text.
So in these words we hear the Astrologers say that they are looking for a child born king of the Jews (not king of Israel). I find it interesting that this will also be the words placarded over his head on the cross, “Jesus king of the Jews.” So Jesus is king not of a specific land mass but of a One God faith – a faith that he invites all people to share – to be grafted into his very own body and blood. There is a specialness about this child.
The Astrologers say, “We observed his star.” Wait, What? He has a star? If a child or any person has a dedicated star, that child or person is recognized by the heavenly bodies as an entity unique in all creation. No one before, or since, has ever had a celestial body as an indicator of their being. From outside the child’s community, the specialness of this child is made known to those, even in far off lands, who study the heavens.
It takes a certain amount of acceptance to acknowledge not being the chosen people of God, and that a person from another culture has been chosen. But here is the deal, we have this blessed assurance, that whomever God picks, it is not just for that person, or group, or nation, or clan, or family only. Moses was blessed not for himself but for the liberation of Israelites. And in this particular case the Son of God is born for the salvation of all humanity.
If a celestial body bends down to identify its creator, who are we to ignore that same author of our own creation, we who live within that same creation?
The Astrologers put their own ethnicity, culture and race aside and looked at what the heavens were doing, and so should we. God’s plan is so much larger than any group of us. We too need to see the light.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 