Sermon for the Epiphany

 


FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY


Why do we exchange gifts at Christmas time? It’s our way of acknowledging the fact that the gift of salvation has been given to us. We practice generosity because a supreme form of generosity has been demonstrated on our behalf. Jesus has been sent to us. His name derives from the Hebrew expression, “God Saves.”  We can trace his arrival to a particular location: namely, Bethlehem. Does this mean that the town of Bethlehem has been singled out for the experience of salvation? No, we need to think in broader terms. The territory of Judea? The province of Palestine? Actually, we’re learning that the plan of salvation is being opened up to each and every member of the Gentile community. The plan is not just open—it’s wide open. 


Our first two readings (Isaiah 60 & Eph. 3) each describe a process through which those on the outside are being welcomed as insiders. The benefits of the Kingdom are being offered far and wide—to every corner of the world. For their part, the Wise Men are responding to the invitation; they respond with eagerness and also with a sense of gratitude. Note the gifts that are being presented to the Newborn King (Matt. 2:11). It’s happening in Bethlehem, but we need to understand that these visitors represent the regions beyond Judea. The New Covenant blossoms initially in Bethlehem, but it will subsequently spread out in every direction, all across the globe. 


By way of example, consider the case of Harland Sanders. He knows how to cook chicken and he also knows how to sell chicken. It all starts in the year 1930, at a particular place: Corbin, Kentucky (a city roughly 80 miles south of Lexington). And yet, within a few years, the project will begin to spread. It will continue to be referred to as “Kentucky Fried Chicken.” Nevertheless, it will become available at locations extending all across the country and the wider world (nearly 23,000 restaurants have been opened across 150 different countries; the second largest chain, measured through sales). In other words, they’ve gone from local to global. 


And we can say something similar about the plan of salvation. It doesn’t matter where you live, or even when you live; you can have your experience of Jesus, just as the Wise Men were able to have their experience of Jesus. They encountered him as a little child. We encounter him through the miracle of the Eucharist. The Lord provides us with the miracle of Christmas because he wants to be experienced. Furthermore, he follows up by providing us with the miracle of the Eucharist. Again, it’s because he wants to be experienced. 


He has a way of transforming what it is that he experiences. Next weekend Jesus will experience the symbol of water by stepping into the Jordan River—thereby transforming the symbol of water so that it takes on a sacramental character. Later on in the church year, he will experience the grave by dying sacrificially upon the cross—thereby transforming the grave into a passageway. However, he primarily looks forward to bringing transformation into your life, into your heart, into your soul. This is what he desires. This is what he ultimately craves. His craving is not for a bucket of chicken; rather, he craves a meaningful relationship with you and likewise with me. Allow yourself to be experienced by the Lord. Allow him to make a difference in your life. Let it register as not just a difference, but as a PROFOUND difference. 

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