Reflections on the Readings for January 3, 2020: Feast of the Epiphany

Isaiah 60:1-5 Each of our readings for Epiphany helps us grasp that God wills his Son to be known by all nations of the world. This reading from Isaiah was first given to our spiritual ancestors during the desperate time of their exile when they most needed words of hope, of better days to come, and a future of unimaginable joy. We, in the depths of the pandemic, may feel in need of such hope, surely, for those who have too little food and no pure water. God helped the ancient Israelites and will help us help one another.

Psalm 72: 1-2,7-8,10-13 We join in this psalm prayer asking God to give us leaders who will govern with justice and profound peace, rescue the poor and the afflicted, have pity for the lowly, and save the poor.

Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 We too grow in the realization that we Gentiles are co-heirs and co-partners. In Christ we are members of the same body; we are one. With religious and political polarization these days, this oneness in Christ is especially significant. May our conversations be not only civil but loving as we are one body.

Matthew 2:1-12 According to Matthew the magi represent the world, all the nations (us Gentiles) who honor the newborn Jesus. The magi are foreigners and forerunners in faith of the many Gentiles who came to believe. Today’s Gospel story of the magi bearing gifts fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy we read in today’s first scripture. God is always struggling to be born into a violent world.

What gifts do we bring? Our very selves and our every effort towards healing God’s wondrous but degraded creation? The small ways we reach out to those who hunger and those who suffer? The loving care we give our children, our parents, our neighbors? Our gift of music and joy, sculpture, painting, and literature? Our ability to care for those far away? How does our faith community try to bring Christ into the world around us? Our membership and participation in Rochester Alliance of Communities Transforming Society (RocACTS) advocating for living wages for home health aides, all essential workers, and collaborating with those healing inequities and injustices? Our gifts to both local and city families for luscious food this holiday season? Our smiling eyes and welcoming elbow bump to all we meet? Our willingness to listen with loving attention to people who need to talk? Our willingness to be hopeful in this new year? Our desire and effort to see the best in people?