Feast of the Epiphany [B]

 


FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY


When we exchange gifts at Christmas time, it’s our way of acknowledging the fact that a gift has been given to us, special-delivery from Heaven—the gift of a Savior, Christ the Lord. This gift will arrive at a specific location, a little town called Bethlehem. One might get the impression that the people of Bethlehem are being singled out. This gift has been sent to them and them alone. And yet, it seems that we are thinking in narrow terms if we isolate on that one town, the town of Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph come from Nazareth. They represent a territory identified as Galilee. The shepherds live and work in the countryside, well beyond the vicinity of Bethlehem. They represent a territory identified as Judea. And now we have to take into account the visit of the Magi. What do they represent? 


The Magi (Three Kings, Wise Men) represent the various non-Jewish populations. In other words, they represent the Gentile world. Their presence signifies an unfolding pattern. The Christmas season begins with the Feast of the Nativity. We gather together to celebrate the arrival of Jesus, the Gift From Above. Essentially, the camera zooms in on the baby Jesus, as we open our observance of Christmas. Next, the camera pulls back so that we can give some attention to Mary and Joseph. Sequentially, this means that the Feast of the Holy Family immediately follows the Feast of the Nativity. We’ve noted his arrival; now, we note the manner of his arrival—he arrives by way of the Family. 


Finally, we explore the intention behind the gift. Is he intended just for the people of Bethlehem? Is he intended just for the people of Judea? Just for the people of Palestine? Rather, it’s becoming clear that Jesus belongs to everyone—regardless of their background. Matthew includes the Wise Men so that a theological statement can be made: God’s covenant love is now being extended beyond all cultural, geographical, and ethnic boundaries. The offer of salvation is being spread far and wide, to every corner of the world. 


Roughly 1800 years later, a meaningful gift will arrive just off the shores of Manhattan. It will come to be known as the Statue of Liberty. We attribute this gift to the people of France. But how should we go about interpreting the intention behind the gift? Is this gift intended strictly for the people of Manhattan? For the people of New York city? For the people of New York state? Actually, we know that the Statue of Liberty belongs to all of us. It’s intended for every citizen, wherever they happen to live. You can think of it as a New York monument. Or you can think of it as a YOUR monument. It all depends on how you want to look at that graceful monument. In the same way, whatever your background, the Savior born of Mary can be understood as YOUR Savior. He doesn’t have to be regarded as exclusive property. Again, however, it all depends on how you choose to look upon this Savior born of Mary. 

Popular posts from this blog

Welcome

 These are text versions of the sermons I have prepared for the Sundays of the calendar year. I am a Catholic priest of the diocese of Gaylord (Michigan), ordained in 1997. 
Read more

Second Sunday of Easter [B]

Image
  SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER  You will find that some Bible passages have a way of explaining themselves. These verses come across as straight-forward. You don’t need any help forming your interpretation. But then you make your way into the First Letter of St. John. Chapter five outlines a series of witnesses; referred to as the Spirit, the Water, and the Blood (5:6-8). Jesus comes to us by way of the Spirit, by way of the Water, and by way of the Blood. Upon consulting the commentaries you discover that scholarly opinion remains divided, regarding this selection. A definitive interpretation has not yet been reached. Generally, however, speculation has leaned in the direction of the Jordan River, with Jesus stepping forward to be baptized.   If you pray the Rosary, this ranks as the first of the Luminous Mysteries. You know that this mystery centers around the symbol of water. You know also that the Holy Spirit becomes visible in the image of a dove (Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:10). Two of the wit
Read more

Passion Sunday [B]

Image
  PASSION SUNDAY Because we are in the “B” cycle, this year’s Passion reading will come from the Gospel of St. Mark. Last year, with cycle “A,” we heard St. Matthew’s account. Next year, observing cycle “C,” we will hear from St. Luke. If you are wondering about St. John, we spend time in his Gospel every year, especially during the seasons of Lent and Easter. As for Mark, his Gospel bears a resemblance to both Matthew and Luke. These are called the “Synoptic Gospels,” because they appear to be synchronized around a common body of source material. We find plenty in the way of similarities, but we also find peculiarities---elements that are unique to each of the Synoptics. For example, with regard to Mark’s version of the Passion, attention is called to a particular young man who panics as the authorities come to arrest Jesus. He, likewise, very nearly gets apprehended, but they manage only to grip the hem of his tunic. The unnamed disciple slips out of his garment and runs off into the
Read more