Sunday Readings: Isaiah 60.1-6; Ephesians 3.2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2.1-12
After their audience with the king, the magi set out. The star that they had observed at its rising went ahead of them until it came to a standstill over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On entering the house, they found the child with Mary, his mother. They knelt down and paid him homage. Then they opened their coffers and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they returned to their own country by another road (Matthew 2.9-12).
Epiphany celebrates the mystery and message that people of every race and nation, near and far, known and unknown are welcome to share and rejoice together in the boundless abundance of God’s merciful kindness and the salvation God’s Son Jesus brings. Epiphany’s three magi stand in for all of us who do not share the Jewish identity of Jesus and his first followers. The magi reach out to the newborn king of the Jews and travel far to pay him homage. Mary and Joseph welcome them and accept their gifts.
The message? Jesus is not just for Jews. He’s not just for Christians either. The peace and love Jesus brings into this world and the forgiveness and reconciliation he brings about through his death and resurrection are for everyone. On Epiphany, we joyfully affirm our belief and thanks that God loves us all.
- What do you know about how your people first journeyed to faith in Jesus?
- What have you learn from people of other religions about what they value about Jesus?