Solemnity
of the Epiphany
Thursday 6 January 2000
Theme: God made manifest to people of
every nation.
The Prophet Isaiah 60:1– 6
Jerusalem is understood to be the City of God. Here
God dwells among the people, a lasting sign of God’s favour. The
prophet likens this presence of God to a great light rising over the
city, towards which people of every nation come. Kings come, with
families bearing their sons and daughters stream in great numbers to
assemble in the presence of the Lord. This radical vision of all
people being one again, thus reversing the dispersion recorded in the
story of the building of the Tower of Babel is at the heart of the
meaning of this feast.
Letter of Paul to the Ephesians
3:2–3, 5–6
Just as the Spirit of God has revealed the knowledge
of the mystery to the prophets in past times, so now in these days it
is made known to the apostles, it means that even pagans can now share
this wonderful inheritance. This is radical news indeed! Through the
gospel of Jesus Christ, the same promise has been made to us. this
includes the outcasts, the marginalised, the disinherited in our own
society. Do we see these. ‘strangers’ as belonging? What practical
steps can we take as a community to make them all feel welcome.
Gospel according to Matthew 2:1–12
The official guardians of Old Testament faith, did
not recognise the signs of the times. It takes the outsiders, the
Magi, the travellers from a distant foreign country, to understand,
and seek out the meaning of the birth of this child at Bethlehem.
Bethlehem was City of David, and the birth of the promised Messiah was
expected to take place here. Naturally the Magi, call first at the
royal court to find a royal child. But in their search they are led
along the road to Bethlehem. Sometimes,
in our journey of faith, we may not recognise the signs of the times,
and may need to look further before finding the pearl of great price.
God has come to save all people.