From the Vicar, Epiphany

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.

- Isaiah 60:1 (reading from the Feast of the Epiphany, or visit of the wise men, January 6)

Epiphany is the season between Christmas and Lent when we celebrate the ways Jesus has made himself known – to Jews and to Gentiles, to his family and to foreigners, to the people he met on the roads of Israel and Judah and to us, who he continues to meet today. The color of the season is green – an “ordinary time,” where we’re focused on everyday discipleship rather than on special celebrations (Easter, Christmas) or preparations (Advent, Lent).

 

From the time he was a baby, Jesus practiced a sort of radical hospitality. The Magi (or wise men, or three kings) followed a strange, bright star to find him and his parents in Nazareth (not at the stable, though that’s how our pageants and Nativity sets show it).  That group of magician-kings from distant foreign countries met the Messiah – right in his living room.

 

Jesus met his cousin, John the Baptizer, and all of John’s followers at the river Jordan.  John was baptizing crowds of people and Jesus went to meet all of them, without any fuss or fanfare.  He stood in the baptism line, just like everybody else.  He came and met the crowds of ordinary people where they already were; they didn’t have to come find him.  And a dove appeared – the Holy Spirit – to announce to all: “You are my Son, the Beloved one!”  It was like his quinceanera or “coming out” party – and everyone was invited.

 

Jesus first acts of ministry were among ordinary Jews who lived around the Sea of Galilee, not far from where he grew up in Nazareth.  He revealed himself as the Son of God in his interactions with the people he met – not by blowing a trumpet, surrounding himself with angels, or declaring a war – but by providing more wine for a wedding party, calling some fishermen to follow him, and healing the sick.  He met people in ordinary places, but with an extraordinary message of grace and good news.

 

Jesus radically welcomes us, too.  Where has he met you, lately?  What is he calling you to do, in your own life of discipleship?  This Epiphany season (January 6-February 21) watch around the church narthex (lobby) for a set of doves, “descending” among us to call us to ministry in our own ordinary times and places.

God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son
to the Peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by
faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to
face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.