Feast of the Epiphany
- 2008
1
The Church is a non-profit organization.
In regard to federal & state law, we are an organization that exists
not to fill our coffers but to respond to needs of the community
based on the resources made available to us.
It is to respond to the gospel challenge: when more is given, more is required.
Least you think this is a money homily on the Feast of the Epiphany,
my concern is that we get too comfortable living within our means
and what is comfortable in so many other
aspects of our ministry
and baptismal call. We are okay if we just do what we have always done
– satisfy the basic needs.
What I mean is that perhaps we all too often spell the word ‘profit’ the wrong way.
As we are a not-for-profit institution, but we are not to be an organization without
prophets – like Isaiah , Casper, Melchoir, Baltazar and John the Baptist.
Where are the prophets among us?
…Like those who built up the excitement of the Christmas promise for us?
How do we re-invest them?
In 1986 for an independent study on the Prophets I found this quote:
A prophet is someone who is
convinced that he or she is in contact or in a special relationship with God,
(Could that be you?)
they feel a desire or responsibility to communicate the message of that God
(Why isn’t that you?)
and they feel that this desire comes from a divine push rather than a personal whim.
(Believe that is true)
2
The three kings came bearing gifts that communicated
something about the newborn King. There gifts were prophetic.
They got the ideas for their Christmas gifts
from the media of the time (image that) – the Hebrew scriptures.
Our first reading tells us in Isaiah’s words that the nations will come with Gold and
Frankincense. Isaiah later tells the prophecy that the Messiah will be a suffering
servant and thus the Myrrh, a healing ointment and balm for burial.
Their gifts made manifest what to expect from the new King
– the Son of the living God.
3
How is God made manifest today?
From the Latin word, manifestus, we learn that it
means literally:
caught in the act, blatant, obvious
Where and when do we see God that clearly? How can we?
Let me suggest that we can, when we see the gifts offered to us,
and take the responsibility to return them to God through others.
In the words of St. Paul to the Ephesians today, How are we stewards of God’s
grace and revelation? How appreciative are we that God reveals some mystery to
me that He does not reveal to others.
4
Let me introduce you to three new wise people and their gifts.
They stopped by earlier today to honor their king.
The first was a father
who brought before Christ –
a thermometer or temperature gauge
through faith he has learned that God is there in the highs and lows.
Most important that God is always there
and the key is balance which leads to perspective.
His relationship with God has to be measured and monitored.
When he does that, he brings that gift to his family
and he teaches his family the same.
The second was a catechist or teacher
a bible
who brought before Christ -
This book tells the story of relationships – relationships with God and His Son.
The stories echo possibilities for the teacher
And the teacher by telling them opens up stories for the student.
In that they see how they are related to God and His unfolding story
The third was a friend
a cellphone
who brought before Christ -
A faithful friend is worth more than gold.
This friend knows that in whatever comes their way,
God is the beckon and safe harbor.
For blessing or curse, cellphones enable us always to be found and connected,
Close to a good friend.
How is God made manifest through you?
When can you be caught in the act of being a prophet?
Someone who takes what you are given and makes it more by sharing it?
What gift or symbol communicates that relationship and thanksgiving to God?
5
The bottom line, at the end of another year, when we have to close the books
and begin again…in a prophetic community,
we use what we are given
and the more we are given, the more prophets, like Isaiah, Casper, Baltazar,
Melchoir and John
are created and sustained.
Today on this Feast of the Epiphany we celebrate God made manifest
–
blatant and obvious – where do the wisemen today point?
–
How are you a star that leads the way?
Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere!
Through Baptism we are all told that we too are priest, prophet and king.
