Today, as we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, we recall the story of the “Three Wise Men” who came “from the east” (see Matthew 2:1-12). Because they “came from afar,” we can say the Wise Men represent all people of from every corner of our world. And so, on this day we are able to focus on the universality of the Christian Church, and to recall that all peoples (meaning more than one group of people), are invited to be part of God’s chosen family.
This means all men and women are included, from every century and era, from every land and nation, from every culture and background, from every social class and status, from every persuasion and orientation, and from all other divisions or distinctions, including those caused by nature and/or by humans themselves. This is the reason it’s very significant those Wise Men, those foreigners, went to Bethlehem, and “saw the child with Mary his mother and prostrated themselves and did him homage.” In that moment, they received and at the same time represented God’s embrace of all peoples, including those of us who gather to worship today! And as followers of such a God, we are called to do exactly the same.
This makes me think of a sign I recently saw at the entrance to a local Methodist Church; it reads “WE WELCOME ALL . . . and ALL MEANS ALL!” Would that we could hang such signs at the entrances to our own churches, to our own homes, and to our hearts, and actually mean it. On this Feast of the Epiphany, we should then remind ourselves that “all peoples” actually means “all peoples.” If all are welcome, then all are welcome, even those who’ve “rubbed us the wrong way,” those who’ve been “different,” those who’ve “sinned against us,” and even those who’ve held different political, theological and/ or societal viewpoints. Honestly, and as difficult as it might be to admit (especially in this day and age), “ALL MEANS ALL!” I believe this is an important message of our faith, and one so poignantly underscored as we recall the visit of the Wise Men to Bethlehem.
Today, and with the “three Wise Men from the east,” we continue to celebrate the Incarnation and the Nativity of our Lord, Jesus Christ. On this Feast of the Epiphany, let’s also recall our Savior came to redeem all people from every place and time, and from every corner of our world and universe! Our church and our community of faith, and even our hearts, must then always be places where all are welcomed, and all are esteemed as part of God’s chosen family. My friends, by the way we live our lives, and without exception, let’s then always receive, believe, and put these ideas into practice!
Praise God! Friar Timothy
It is traditional on this feast day to chalk the numbers, crosses, and letters 20+C+M+B+17 above the entrance doors of homes. These include the initials of the three magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar), and/or an abbreviation for words Christus Mansionem Benedicat (May Christ bless this house); the crosses represent the Cross of Jesus, and the numbers at the beginning and end signify the current year.
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