| Reading 1 | Response | Reading 2 | Gospel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is 60:1-6 | Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 | Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6 RCL: Eph 3:1-12 | Mt 2:1-12 |
Christmastime: Epiphany’s meanings
During the Christmas season, the Lectionary presents us with the events of Jesus’ early life. This Sunday celebrates the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord. The readings ask us to consider our own epiphanies.
The first reading is from the prophet Isaiah, specifically Third Isaiah, who spoke to the exiles returning from Babylon. In today’s pericope, Third Isaiah imagines the whole earth engulfed in darkness. The only light comes from Zion (“over you appears God’s glory”): God in glory, present among the Jews, shines out like a brilliant dawn. All nations and kings recognize God’s presence and come to Zion (Jerusalem) to offer gifts (“bearing gold and frankincense”) and to worship (“proclaiming the praises of the LORD”). The Lectionary editors chose this reading because it refers to two of the magi’s gifts (“gold and frankincense”), and because gentiles recognize and “walk by the Lord’s light.”
The second reading is a late first century (80-100 AD) letter to the Ephesus ekklesia by an unknown author writing in Paul’s name. In today’s pericope, the author tells the Ephesians that God revealed (“the mystery was made known”) to Paul, to the apostles, and to early Christian prophets that the gentiles share fully and equally with the Jews (“co-heirs, co-members of the same body, and co-partners”) in Jesus’ saving act (“the promise”). The Ephesians themselves are proof of this revelation because their believing community lives in this unity (“members of the same body” refers to their ekklesia). The Lectionary editors chose this reading to emphasize the gentiles’ place in salvation.
Matthew’s gospel is the story of the magi’s visit. The Greek word ἐπιφαίνω (eh-pee-fah-EE-noh), which gives the Epiphany feast its name, can mean either “to show,” to appear,” or “to give light to, to illuminate.” Matthew’s story reveals Jesus and enlightens his hearers.
- The magi and the story’s sources. The Greek word magos (singular) or magi (plural) refers to Persian priests with special abilities to interpret dreams. Here the magi appear as astrologers/astronomers who study the stars as a guide to important events. Matthew may be connecting the magi to the seer Balaam’s prophecy in Nm 24:17: “A star shall advance from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Israel.” First century Jewish thought identified a star as a symbol for the messiah.
- The meaning for Matthew and his community. Matthew’s ekklesia in Antioch included both Jewish Christians and gentile Christians. Matthew uses the magi’s quest for the new king to prefigure his community’s gentile believers’ search for Jesus. The magi story’s point is not that the magi are gentiles, but rather that Jesus is manifested (or revealed) through specific signs: the star, Herod’s reaction, the magi’s search, the magi’s gifts and worship. These signs reveal the incarnate God to the world.
This week’s readings, and all Christmas season readings, ask us to consider the meaning of Jesus’ self-revelation. Isaiah describes God’s shining glory revealing God’s presence and giving light to all people. The Ephesians’ author reveals that God offers salvation equally to both Jews and gentiles. Matthew reveals God-with-us in the magi’s words and actions. Epiphany reminds us that God reveals the Godself to those who actively seek illumination. Do we notice God’s presence shining out from the created world? Can we look beyond tired commercial images and see the real meaning of lights and stars? Do we continue to search for God’s enlightenment and our own epiphanies despite the cynicism of modern Herods?
—Terence Sherlock
The Lectionary In Context 