A reflection on the daily readings, for the Epiphany of the Lord, by Father Perry.
By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor
For a moment on this day of Epiphany, we focus on the light —
“Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.”
Grace and light abound in the scriptures today. How could it not? We celebrate Emmanuel — God with us! We note our blessings and the gift of God that gives and has been given to us. Even the Magicome from the east following the light: the star.
Light leads them. Light brings them to the Lord. Light shows them the way, both within and without. The gifts they bring to Jesus are themselves gifts of light — gold, for kings; incense, for the gods; and myrrh, to preserve the body in death for the great journey home.
Everything about this day reveals the light — except one thing: Herod!
Herod the Great! Herod the insecure!
With the intention to get rid of the problem, Herod lies and manipulates to find out all that he can about this child Jesus. Although, there is light in abundance, so also is there darkness.
“Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.”
Yes, Jerusalem is the city of light. Jerusalem, also, will become the city of darkness on that sad and dark, dark, day that we now call the Feast of the Holy Innocents. It is when Herod, in a rage, murders innocent children.
Revenge, because the Magi didn’t give him what he wanted. Matthew knows this. Matthew cannot allow us to only see light. Matthew knows that where there is light, and darkness can and often will follow.
But at the same time, this light springs eternal; even in darkness, a new light will come. After all, this is Jesus we are speaking about —
Emmanuel — God is with us!
Quote of the week | “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” — Anonymous.
