2024/1/7 SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
The Epiphany of the Lord
-Nick Carlson, Director of Ministry & Worship
The mystery was made known to me. Today’s Gospel brings us this curious episode of the “Magi” who come to Bethlehem from the land of sunrise, as Matthew describes it. Their origin is mysterious, but may have been more familiar by the time of Jesus. By then, the term had spread throughout the Middle East. Its meaning: practitioners of esoteric knowledge, ranging from philosophy to magic (“magi” is indeed at the root of the term) to—you guessed it—astronomy (we have seen his star…). If they were, as is often supposed, members of a Persian caste of priests, they could have lived as far as 2000 miles away; imagine traveling to Los Angeles via camel caravan!
Something about this radical journey reveals that the Magi were people of transformative hope, and people seeking something great. And here’s where the Gospel rings true once again in our lives. We can imagine their perception of the darkness as told by Isaiah in today’s first reading.. Every day, we are faced with countless dark mysteries; our human experience is surrounded by what is unknown and unseen. From our individual identity, our purpose as a person, family and community, even our finiteness as we know it—all these things touch our limitedness, and stare out upon a vast unknown that is mystery. It happens so much that we learn to live with mystery, and to accept the uncertainty of some things. And that is a good and even healthy place to arrive at—it’s a core part of Jesus’ teaching that we can rest in God amidst all our limitedness and uncertainty. Yet there is a drive within us that we see reflected in these Magi, a drive which transcends ourselves, that compels us to seek out and embrace the radical mystery. It seeks understanding, wisdom, and even, where properly understood, fear of the Lord.
How many journeys into mystery are cut short by the demands of daily life, or the fear of what lies beyond? These Magi certainly weighed every consideration, and chose to ride out nonetheless. The best part: they surely could have had no idea what to expect, or what they would find. How true this is so much of each one of our journeys! Maybe I am not sure whether I should try Alpha, since it seems weird to talk with others about God. Maybe I don’t feel great about attending a Reconciliation and Healing night, since I really don’t know what to expect! Maybe I am afraid I’ll end up getting too involved if I take the next steps towards leadership in the parish. It’s ok to feel apprehensive about what is coming next! What I find so reassuring is that on the other end of whatever uncertainty we are faced with, the mystery is made known to me, as Saint Paul says. He goes on: that [we] are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise of Christ Jesus through the Gospel. In other words, that we are not journeying further into what is unknown, but towards one who knows us, our fears, and our hopes better than we will ever know ourselves.
We can say it confidently, with assured hope, that this is what lies beyond the mystery. It’s not there because we hope, but because our hope has a name, and was born that holy night in Bethlehem. Our hope became a light for the nations when these Magi first saw Him, and He revealed God’s plan for our total flourishing, starting with our lives here and now, and culminating in glory with Him forever. Let this hope give each one of us strength and confidence for our journey, so that we can be as bold as the Magi when approaching the mystery!