The Epiphany of the Lord (C); January 6, 2019

Is 60:1-6   Ps 72   Eph 3:2-3   Mt 2:1-12

Deacon Jim McFadden; (New) Folsom Prison

 

         Today we celebrate the Epiphany, the arrival of the Magi, traditionally described as a threesome, at the humble cave of Bethlehem. The Church tells the story of the three Kings of how they responded to the coming of the Messiah. We may ask: how did these learned men from the East—some say as far away as Persia—ended up in an obscure town of Bethlehem?   They were following a light; better, they were searching for the Light because something was stirring deep within their minds and hearts that would address their deepest yearning: they were seeking the Light of Christ.

We are hard-wired to be in Communion with God because we are made in the image of God, who is a family of three Persons sharing one divine nature. As such, we have a light within us, call it our ‘soul’, that naturally gravitates towards the source of our very being. As we follow this light we will inevitably encounter the Lord, who is Immanuel—God among us.

The destiny of each one of us is symbolized in the journey of the Magi of the East. Our life is a journey with all of its twists and turns, which is illuminated by lights that brighten our way, which enable us to find the fullness of Truth and Goodness, Whom we recognize to be a Person: Jesus, the Light of the world.

Like the Magi, we have two great books, which provide us signs along our pilgrimage. The first is the map of your life. As Paula D’Arcy once said, “God comes to us disguised as our life.” But, how could that be since the way I lived my former life ended me in prison. Even though we make bad choices, embrace false idols with all their empty promises, God has never bailed out, has never given up on you. Indeed, He is there in the midst of the chaos, uncertainty, and even sin beckoning you to come Home where you can find rest and peace that will endure for eternity. God is right here, right now and we just have to look at our life with discernment to see that God is present—that there is no time or place that is God-forsaken.

The next book is Sacred Scripture.   The Bible is the Word of God, Who is the Second Person of the Trinity. God externalizes His Mind through the written Word. So, it is important that we are attentive to Scripture on a daily basis, to be alert as to what God is communicating to me today, to listen to him who speaks to us. As the Psalm says, referring to the Law of the Lord: “Your word is a lamp to me life and a light to my path” (Ps 119:105).

Listening to Scripture, especially the Gospels, reading it, meditating on it, making it your spiritual food, the Word of God will come into the interior of your heart and soul and you will encounter the living and Risen Jesus: you will be able to experience Him and thereby love Him.

The first reading from the prophet Isaiah boldly proclaims the call of God to Jerusalem: “Arise up in splendor! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the people; but upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light and kings by your shining radiance” (Is 60:1-4).

Jerusalem, the City of David, the epicenter of Jewish worship, is called to be the city of light which reflects God’s light to the world and helps humanity to walk in the ways of God. And, who is the New Jerusalem today? The Church, the mystical Body of the Risen Christ.   This is the Mission and vocation of the People of God, who have been initiated into Christ at our baptism.   But, just like ancient Jerusalem we can fail to respond to this call; we can refuse to live out our baptismal anointing of being priest, prophet, and king by following False Idols which lead us to nowhere.

The three Wise Men saw the Star, they followed the Light, but the inhabitants of Jerusalem did not; they did not see it. Its light was particularly absent in the palace of King Herod: his dwelling was dark, gloomy, filled with intrigue and suspicion, fear, and envy. Herod, in fact, was so perturbed by these foreign diplomats, philosophers, and astrologers who named the child of Bethlehem, the “King of the Jews,” that he was beside himself: “King of the Jews”—that his title! So, he plotted to kill the Light of the world. Why would he do that? Herod saw the Christ child as a rival. In reality Jesus came not to overthrow the temporal rule of Herod, but to overthrow the Prince of Darkness of whom Herod was aligned. Herod and his counselors knew that this Child who fulfilled the ancient prophesies would challenge the foundations of their power. If Jesus is King, if Jesus is the Center and ground of our Being, then our Ego, our False Kingdom is not and it will crumble.   Herod and his cronies knew that the rules of their empty life were being turned upside down.   Their whole world was based on the accumulation of wealth, the acquisition of prestige, the exercise of dominant power, and the rapacious pursuit of pleasure.   Their whole life was thrown into a crisis by a Child! Herod went so far as to kill the children of Bethlehem who were under the age of two.   An ancient writer nailed it when he said of King Herod: “You destroy those who are tiny in body because fear is destroying your heart” (St. Quodvutdeus, Sermon 2). Herod became afraid and on account of giving into his fear, he became insane as he tried to destroy the source of Life. How crazy is that?!

The Magi were able to overcome that dangerous encounter of evil before Herod, because they believed Scripture, they believed that God could come into their life no matter what the circumstances are, they believed the words of the prophets, who indicated that the Messiah would come from the House of David and would be born in Bethlehem. And, so the fled the dreariness and darkness of Herod’s palace, and resumed their journey towards Bethlehem, and there they saw the star above the cave. And, what was their response? The gospel tells us tht they experienced “a great joy” (Mt 2:10), which is the perfect sign of God’s presence.

Brothers in faith at Folsom Prison, this is the Good News: Jesus is “the light that shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it” (Jn 1:5).   We ask ourselves: Are we enlightened by the light of the Star in the same way the Magi were? Have we found our way to reach the Child? Do we gratefully accept his unconditioned love which he showers upon us every moment of our existence? Are we striving to share his love with others? Are we living, each in our own way, the experience of the Magi?

People of God, as baptized members of the Church, we have searched for the Light and we have found it in Christ Jesus. We are meant to bring this Light to the world. It’s up to us to make sure that this Light covers everyone. The Magi knew that the ancient prophesy had been fulfilled in Jesus. Do we believe and live that reality with every fiber of our being. If so, Let the Light Shine! Amen.