Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mathew 2:1-12

Happy glorious New Year! I pray and hope that we will all take a conscious an active role in the shaping of 2015.

I find this feast of the Epiphany fascinating for it carries us into the realm of the universe filled with trillions of stars and millions of light years away. What intrigues me is that in a sky full of stars which dazzle the eye, only some can see the Star which truly leads to the Source of Life and Hope.
“We have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him? (Mathew 2:1-12)

So who were these people? According to Mathew they were the ‘magi’ from the land of sunrise and understood to be members the Persian priestly caste and regarded as rulers of a distinctive religion. They were thought to be strongly influenced by philosophy. Greek philosophers have often been portrayed them as their pupils. Aristotle even mentioned them in his work.
Some scripture scholars also say that the magi can also be possessors and users of supernatural knowledge and magic, able to deceive and seduce others to their advantage.

The ambivalence and double meaning of the concept of ‘magi’ also illustrates the ambivalence of religions as well. It can become the path to true knowledge and love of Jesus of Nazareth. But when it fails to open up to Him religion can actually opposes the one God and Saviour, it becomes demonic and destructive.

And clearly the magi in Mathew chapter two were nevertheless custodians of religious and good philosophical knowledge, who were able to figure out that the language of the Star contained a message of hope.

But then these three astronomers would not have set off on a journey, unless they were people of hope, people who were constantly on the lookout for the true Star of David and act accordingly.

Mathew also speaks of them as ‘wise people from the east’. Wise people are those who constantly attentive to the inner and outer movements of religion which is open to the search for truth - a search for the subtle movement of God and things that are not of God in their own lives. They do not reject science nor remain at the level of intellectual knowledge, but seeks understanding in its fullness. Wise people are always responding to God’s call.

You and I can also see the universality of today’s feast. We can conceive the three kings from all three known continents: Africa, Asia and Europe. In the kingdom of Jesus Christ there are no distinctions of race and origin. St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians clarifies this point that Jews and Gentiles are both coheirs and co-partners in Jesus Christ.

“The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (Ephesians 3:5-6)
What does this mean in reality? Christianity has always dealt with deep cultural and religious divisions since the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:5-7). After many arguments who should be ‘in’ and who should be ‘out’, Peter then offers a response steeped in sympathy and compassion arising from his own painful experience to include the Greeks and the new converts:
“Why do you put God to the test now by imposing on the disciples the very burden that neither our ancestors nor we were strong enough to support? God, who can read everyone’s heart, showed his approval of them by giving the Holy Spirit to them just as he had to us…We believe we are saved in the same way as they are: through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 15: 8,10-11).

These wise words from Peter are a true acknowledgment of God’s vision of a community or plurality of disciples who ‘will come from every nation on earth to adore him’ (Psalm 72:1-2). The prophet Isaiah speaks of the same prophesy:
“Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you; your sons come from afar … and wealth of nations shall be brought to you bearing gold and frankincense proclaiming the praises of the Lord” (Isaiah 60:1-6).

These communities of disciples from every tribe and nation present constant challenges. Since God has included them from the beginning of time, the task is to live within it in ways that engages it creatively, seeking harmonies and connections where they may be genuinely forged and appreciated. It also invites humility before the complexity of a universe in which we are conscious that something always escapes.

The three wise men in truth represent pluralism at its best – our differences don’t have to be tolerated but sanctioned and blessed. Today’s feast also symbolizes our ongoing procession of humanity black and white, rich and poor of any caste toward Jesus Christ, the Word who existed from the beginning and was made flesh on Christmas day (John 1:1-11).

For us who follow where the Star leads we do not return to ‘Herod’s empire’, whatever empires attract us today. If you and are truly wise let’s go home by a different route in 2015 rejoicing in what we have encountered and still pointing to the baby Jesus who brought them together on their knees.

God bless.