Sermon for January 1, 2023 – The Epiphany of the Lord
The night sky is always fascinating. Does anyone else remember the dud that comet Kohoutek turned out to be? I’m dating myself, aren't I? Or the naked eye visibility of Halley's comet in its flyby in 1986-87?
It was however something that of an epiphany to see that the constellation Orion, which barely cleared the Treetops at the end of the Street in Kenora, was crane-your-neck high in the sky in Texas. And who has not been wonder struck by the beauty revealed by the James Webb Space Telescope?
Pillars of Creation (NIRCam and MIRI Composite Image) taken by the James Webb Space Telescope
But epiphanies are not just light, nor a particular reflection of light, but a new way of seeing things. Isaiah, for instance, was looking at the scattered stones of Jerusalem and seeing it as restored even more splendid. And the promise of God's glory shining in the darkness of those days gave new hope to the remnant returned from Babylon. It called forth from them the power to accomplish what once seemed impossible.
Paul, who was blinded by the light on the road to Damascus, and had a great Epiphany, is trying to get the congregation in Ephesus to see why he is willing to endure imprisonment. That God's grace is available for them and for all people, in and through the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Humankind, says Paul, is restored.
The three wise men – Magi, astrologers – came to Jerusalem bearing gifts, but the gifts were not meant for the secular ruler (the cruel Herod, minion of the Roman Empire), they were meant to enlighten the sacred. The gold, revealing the crown of majesty. The frankincense, revealing the depth of divinity. The myrrh, the humanity of the toddler child.
Joseph and Mary were an ordinary couple called to an extraordinary task! The Wisemen followed the star and carried gifts in response to God’s initiative in their time and place. Epiphanies are not just Journeys, but journeys with purpose, and a new way of fulfilling that purpose!
And I so often have had to say during my ministry, it is Paul who unpacks and explains how to be and do our sacred and spiritual purpose! Which brings me to the stars: [note, parishioners were given paper stars at the beginning of the service]
On the one side, please write which of the gifts of the Spirit that you would claim:
In his Letter to the Galatians, Paul offers:
NASA’s Webb Catches Fiery Hourglass as New Star Forms
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Generosity
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self-control
And exhorts us to live and be guided by the SPIRIT!
In his First Letter to the Corinthians, Paul again reminds us that there are varieties of gifts for varieties of service for the common good:
Wisdom
Knowledge
Faith
Healing
Working of miracles
Prophesy
Discernment
Speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues.
In my own now, I would claim love as the motion behind my call to intercessory prayer. I was once told, ‘your prayers don’t change anything’ and my reply was ‘perhaps not anything, but they change me’! And that is enough! Perhaps, just perhaps, it’s a little ‘Working of Miracles’! My friend, Teresa, asked me to pray for her brother; so I did. But what happened is that my conversation with Teresa changed both of us. And she noted that her relationship with her brother has improved.
Alternately I was asked for intercessory prayer for a young woman with a migraine headache. It progressed to a tumor, and surgery, and a stroke. My response is then to weep with her mother and mourn for a baby I baptized 22 years ago. The light of is in that situation, too.
I see this gift manifested in this congregation when we gather our prayers and praises into one. At the prayers of the people, each week the composer of the litany brings out of body, mind, spirit, and soul and that which needs to be expressed aloud and in community. Truly a great blessing to and for All Saints Winnipeg.
I see the gift of generosity being for Pat, whenever her doing Sunday morning is hospitality and coffee time. Have you ever tried to turn down a cup of tea and a cookie when it was offered? Another Blessing shared with All Saints congregation.
And Margaret this morning came in and her gift was a very simple one: she checked. Her faithfulness to this congregation and to the beauty that surrounds us now was that she checked the poinsettias and made sure that they were freshly watered.
I see Joy, who lives into her name and in fact works miracles.
Who knew, eh?
Perhaps Macrina Wiederkehr (1939-2020) sums it up as well as today's Old Testament readings. Her poem is addressed:
Creator of the Stars~~God of Epiphanies
You are the Great Star
You have marked my path with light
You have filled my sky with stars
naming each star and guiding it
until it shines into my heart
awakening me to deeper seeing
new revelations
and brighter epiphanies.
O Infinite Star Giver
I now ask for wisdom and courage
to follow these stars
for their names are many
and my heart is fearful.
They shine on me wherever I go:
The Star of Hope
The Star of Mercy and Compassion
The Star of Justice and Peace
The Star of Tenderness and Love
The Star of Suffering
The Star of Joy
And every time I feel the shine
I am called
to follow it
to sing it
to live it
I would invite you to place your stars on the offering late today that I may pray for your gifts and graces. For the blessing of this epiphany, and all epiphanies, thanks be to God.
