Reflection on the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord
Posted on January 5, 2025, by Mary Ann McGivern SL
Back when I was a fairly serious gardener, my overwhelming experience of spring was promise. The apricot tree would wait to bud until after the last hard freeze; the strawberries would not taste watery from too much spring rain; the squash would elude the squash bugs. It was all promise. And come fall I would prepare to plant again, full of new hope.
Today’s readings are all promise. God promises that Israel shall be radiant and Israel’s heart shall throb and overflow for the riches of the sea shall encompass it. Psalm 72 promises that judgment shall endow the king and justice the king’s son. Paul tells the Ephesians that the promise made to Israel is made to the Gentiles as well, that we belong to the same body and we are co-partners in the promise of Christ.
Finally, the Magi come. We have Epiphany, For a moment we have a glorious fulfillment of all the promises God has made to us. For a moment. Like the summer when every branch of my apricot tree was laden with fruit, as if every blossom had been pollinated. It was a glorious harvest. The visit of the Magi was glorious, much more than a tree bearing fruit. But the Magi go home. And we know what’s coming, that Herod is going to take action. But not today. Today is a celebration of the promise. Today is a celebration of hope.
Think of a hope that came true. Not a wish for a Christmas present but a hope that you put some work into – that a thesis would go well or that physical therapy would succeed – something concrete. That’s hope in action.
Emily Dickinson calls hope a “thing with feathers.” But that’s a little misleading. Her bird flies through wind and rain and cold while it sings. Another current metaphor gives hope bruised knuckles and a missing tooth. Hope is tough and resilient.
The Magi are a grand image of hope, too, following a star in search of the king. What we have to remember is that the Magi got dirty and saddle-sore. Emily Dickenson’s feathered bird got blown off course sometimes. I’m afraid hope is not above throwing a punch, at least metaphorically.
Embrace hope. Follow the Magi. Prepare to be worn out. And know that we will be worn out together, willing to get up tomorrow morning and head out again, together. That’s what we’re celebrating, the promise that though we will exhaust ourselves, we will continue to hope and to go all out for God’s promise of justice and peace.