Epiphany of the Lord.





Is. 60:1-6; Eph. 3:2-3, 5-6; Mt. 2:1-12
Today, we are celebrating Epiphany Sunday. The word ‘epiphany’ means 'manifestation' or 'showing'. This special Feast commemorates the revealing of Jesus to the Gentiles.

Once twenty hikers gathered early in the morning at the trail head outside of Brekinridge, Colorado.   As they were from the East, they knew very little about hiking up a 14,000 feet mountain in Colorado. So they hired a park ranger to guide them. At first they started off with a brisk pace, full of enthusiasm, but an hour into the hike most were panting from the effort as well as the altitude. Some weren't sure they could make it to the top, but they supported each other, encouraged each other, and kept following the guide. Then they crossed the tree line and could see the Quandary summit. Finally they stood on the peak and could see most of the Eastern Colorado Rockies and in the south, they saw Pike's Peak. It was beautiful. They left very happy, that they completed the journey. 

The magi, who studied stars, were convinced that stars told a story to men.  Stars told them about the world and great heroes.  Great people had stars or even constellations looking down on them. Hence this new star had to belong to the greatest of people.   They were convinced that the star they saw announced a new king who would be the King of Kings. So they went to Herod's Court.  They did not find the King there, but they did learn that the Jews once had a star went in the direction of Bethlehem, leading them to the place, where Mary, Joseph and the baby were. When they left the Holy Family, they were pleased not just that they had found the King, but that they made the journey.
The message of the Christmas is that God has sent us his Son in Jesus Christ; and the message of Epiphany is that this mystery is for all humanity.

The Magi were seekers.  They were committed to finding the truth. All of us must be seekers of truth throughout our lives. We are all on the journey of life. Like the magi had star as their guide, we have a guide.  Our guide is Jesus who leads us in the direction our lives need to travel.

Ebrahim Ibn Adam was king of Balk (Afghanistan). He was wealthy restlessly trove for spiritual perfection. One night the king was roused from sleep by a fearful stumping on the roof above his head. Alarmed, he shouted: "who is there?" "A friend," came the reply, “I have lost my   camel. I am looking for it." Perturbed by such stupidity Ebrahim screamed, "You fool! Are you looking for a camel on the roof?" the voice from the roof answered, "You fool! Are you looking for God in silk clothing, and lying on a golden bed?”

Jesus has come down to show us where to seek for God. He has come down to tell us about the love of the Father. He has come down to tell us about how to reach him. Howard Thurman wrote, "When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flocks, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, heal the broken, feed the hungry, rebuild the nations, bring peace among people, make music in the heart."  Our work too begins here. And we have the perfect guide to take us forward.

Let us pray with John Henry Hopkins, "Star of wonder, star of night! Star of royal beauty bright westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy Perfect Light."



Satish