RENEWsletter for January 3, 2010 - Epiphany

Hello my friends--
Well most of us are back from vacation and in ramp-up mode for resuming the work-a-day schedule. The joy of giving and receiving Christmas gifts is over for another year, but there remains the joy of giving of ourselves all the year long. The joy of giving is something the Lord gives to those who will receive it.

Sunday is the Epiphany of the Lord in the United States. Elsewhere it is the Baptism of the Lord. In any case it is the last Sunday of the Christmas Season and the readings are very upbeat, hopeful and full of promise. They can be found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/010310.shtml and in your Bible at:

Isaiah 60.1-6
Psalm 72.1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13
Ephesians 3.2-3a, 5-6
Matthew 2.1-12

The First Reading tells of the time when the veil of darkness will be lifted from the earth. All people will see the glory of the Lord and know that it is real (Is. 60.1-3). We already know this because we have raised our eyes above the mire of misdirection, confusion, and hopelessness (v. 4). But there'll come a day when everybody, living and dead, will see and rejoice in the glory of the LORD. They will bring their treasures, gold and frankincense, proclaiming God's praise and will pay him homage (v. 6).

The Responsorial Psalm sings to the Lord of the day when "every nation on earth will adore you" (Ps. 72.11). Not just grudgingly accept the Kingdom of God when it is established in power on this planet, but see how perfect God's just rule is and pay him homage (v. 10).

The Second Reading relates the first step in this world-wide worship of the Holy One of Israel. That step was the bringing of the good news of Christ's offering to the Gentiles (Eph 3.6)... all on earth who are not Jews by birth. There's no distinction in God's eyes. All the promises he made to Abraham, he makes also to all the peoples of the world. And all peoples of the world will pay him homage (vs. 2-3, 5).

The Gospel Reading reports the Epiphany of Jesus. Epiphany means "a sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something". When those Gentile dignitaries from the East arrived in Jerusalem looking for the newborn Jewish King, they were actually showing that God had already revealed himself to the rest of the world (Matt. 2.1-2). Why would they worship a king of another race? Human wisdom didn't lead them in this. It was a direct revelation from God, a sudden manifestation of the meaning of life, the universe, and everything. Their gifts represent profound depths of insight (v. 11).

Gold is the gift of kings... worldly wealth, means, evidence of prosperity... given back to the grantor of that wealth, means, and prosperity.

Frankincense represents the offering up of prayers to heaven... to the ruler who controls everything... an acknowledgment of and reliance on his ultimate power.

Myrrh represents the death that comes to every human, including the Human God. In death Christ would atone for the sins of humanity. And by his resurrection show that not even death has any real power.

These three gifts represent the highest activities a human being can offer in homage. Gold is our "stuff": our time, talent, and treasure we give to God. Frankincense is our worship of him, our prayers and our praise. Myrrh is our hope of salvation and eternal life with him.

We couldn't be more blessed and with all the peoples of the earth we will pay him homage!

Have a very Happy New Year. Make it fun and stay safe.

Randy Jones
"Those who cannot give cannot receive!"