Epiphany for mission

Today the Roman Catholic Lectionary for North America presents the texts for the celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord. We hear the psalmist proclaim that “Lord, every nation on earth will adore you” (Psalm 72). The Gospel of Matthew tells of the journey of the Magi who Friar Jude Winkler notes were astronomers following a sign they had witnessed in the heavens which moved them to the west to find and pay homage to a new born king.  Some astronomicalresearch has indicated a celestial alignment of planets which would convey this message to the Magi occurred prior to Jesus birth. Of course, the ruler of Israel, at the time of Jesus birth, Herod, was determined to prevent any new king from being a threat to his dynasty. Friar Jude picks up the message of the prophet from the Book of Isaiah to the exiles returning to Jerusalem from Babylon that God is going to have them shine as a light guiding nations to see them as witnesses to the Presence of God as the gift of shalom, for all people. BruceG. Epperly, a process theologian, invites us to be more attentive to the divine (revelation) in its many manifestations … prayer and meditation, dream work, mysticism, healing, and domestic holiness.  He comments that justice emerges out of our awareness that all creation, even the stranger and vulnerable, shine with divine love. Andy Alexander, S.J. of Creighton University invites us to share an “epiphany", discovery or an amazing insight like that of Paul as he proclaims to the Ephesians that “the mystery was made known to me by revelation ... that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”(Ephesians 3) The amazing insight into the will of God that all people come to be the light of God in the world for each other is a mission statement which we transform into action in life assured through faith that the Presence and gracious protection of God has brought us here and will guide our continuing journey of discovery.