Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord

Lectionary: 20

Then you shall be radiant at what you see,
your heart shall throb and overflow,
for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,
the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.
Caravans of camels shall fill you,
dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;
all from Sheba shall come
bearing gold and frankincense,
and proclaiming the praises of the Lord

In today’s reading from the Book of Isaiah the prophet foretells a day of peace and prosperity for the city of Jerusalem, when all the nations will send caravans of camels (and semi-trailers, box cars and container ships!) laden with riches. They will bring gold and frankincense and ointments like myrrh as they proclaim the praises of the Lord. More importantly, for our purposes, “you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow” with happiness.

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Epiphany celebrates the day when the entire universe will recognize and honor Mary’s child as the Lord of Life. On that day the glory of God will be so bright it will make our streetlights dim by comparison. The light of the Sun will be nothing more than a candle. The Kingdom of God will show that daylight was never very bright; and human wisdom was never very deep; and understanding was always superficial. We will know we never had to fear anything for even tyrants like King Herod tremble in the presence of the Babe of Bethlehem.

Saint Paul has told us,

At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.

Ordinary experience shows us how weak our own perceptions are. Dogs hear better than we can. Eagles see the color of our eyes as we watch them soar across the sky. Crocodiles detect motion in the water with their teeth. Elephants and whales, miles apart, talk to one another by low frequency sounds.

Much goes on in the spiritual world also, of which we have little knowledge. As Al Jolson said, “You ain’t heard nothing yet.”

The Epiphany reminds us that God keeps his word beyond all expectation. If we look for acquittal; we are given forgiveness! We look for a safe place to eat and sleep; we are given ownership in the House of God. We may want nothing more than to return to the Sanctuary of Eden but God has promised the Universe as our playground, and superabundant prosperity to everyone.

An epiphany is a divine revelation. It is beyond anyone’s authority or control. It comes unexpectedly, as a gift. We have no right to demand anything of God. If our helplessness did not tell us that; our guilt would. But God shows himself to us as our Savior and Lord, in the form of a new born baby.