___________________________________________

 

EPIPHANY OF THE LORD (b)

Light of lights--today is the Epiphany of our Lord and that sheds much light on the new welcome to all humanity. "Arise, shine, for your light has come," says the prophet. The gospels, of course, bring us along the caravan of Gentiles guided by the heavens to infant Christ. We’ve got much to celebrate this week as we let the light of God that shines brightly in the Incarnation of the Son into human history.

 

PSALM 72:1-7; 10-14--LONG LIVE THE KING!

Though originally used as a coronation psalm to welcome a new Davidic king, Christians from the time of Justin Martyr onward have read this psalm as a fulfillment of the birth of Jesus Christ. In the Targum--the Jewish commentary of Hebrew Scripture--which emerged much later than the dissolution of the Davidic dynasty, this psalm was also read with messianic anticipation. On this Sunday of the Epiphany, we listen for the conversation between Psalm 72 and Matthew 2--especially the royal guests from afar who bring the king gifts.

ISAIAH 60:1-6—ARISE! YOUR LIGHT HAS COME!

This passage recalls the returning exiles in the sixth century bce who may have harbored dramatic expectations of what awaited them in Jerusalem and surrounding Judah. What they met of course, was a barren, dilapidated land that must have been a heart-rending disappointment. Isaiah 60--Third Isaiah--seems to be addressed to these exiles who needed encouragement. Through the lens of Christian faith, however, these passages looked further into the future to the Incarnation. The nearness of salvation, the light vis-à-vis darkness, and the entourage of caravans arriving from the nations suggested the drawing, illuminating, royal essence of Christ and especially in light of Matthew 2 and the magi.

EPHESIANS 3:1-12—GOD’S SECRET PLAN REVEALED

In this passage, the writer proclaims a plan that has been embedded in Scripture from the beginning--that God planned all along to welcome all humanity to God’s presence and salvation. In Christ, God’s Good News, came to everyone and thus, both groups--Jews and Gentiles--can enjoy the blessings of God through Christ. The lesson concludes with an autobiographical section that refers to Paul’s calling and mission to reveal this salvific secret.

MATTHEW 2:1-12—DKDKDKDKDK

We continue the theme of the Davidic genealogy that began in chapter one. Jesus is born in Bethlehem and such location is confirmed in the Hebrew Scriptures as the place where God’s Shepherd-King would emerge. What becomes the main theme is, of course, the homage paid by the Gentiles to Christ, for that is what the magi represent--the Gentile world. Also prevalent in the lesson are the images that we meet in the other lessons, such as light and illumination, gifts, royalty, signs, and great joy and hope.