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The Epiphany of the Lord
We may have become accustomed to such gatherings. Pope Benedict hosted another one just last fall. But it’s good to remember that there was a time when such gatherings were unimaginable for Catholics. For me, they are “Epiphany” moments, because the Epiphany celebrates the coming together – the intersection – of religions and peoples. The Magi, those mysterious sages from out of the East, represent the Gentile world, the whole world outside the faith of Israel. When the Magi laid their exotic gifts before the Christ child it was not just a beautiful moment, it was also a breakthrough moment. Matthew, the only gospel writer to tell this story, told it to awaken his largely Jewish community to the fact that something entirely new was afoot here: narrow religious horizons were broadening with the coming of Christ: they were becoming as wide and expansive as the embrace of God. In today’s passage from Ephesians, St. Paul tells of his great awakening when God revealed to him, a plan “unknown in former ages but now revealed by the Spirit.” And what is that plan? Paul says it is, “no less than this: in Christ Jesus the Gentiles are now co-heirs with the Jews, member of the same body and sharers of the promise.” This was Paul’s breakthrough moment, another step beyond narrow ‘insider-outsider’ religion. But it’s not easy to get beyond insider-outsider religion, is it? Many of us grew up in a world that made it very clear, when it came to religion, just who was ‘in,’ and who was ‘out.’ Catholics were ‘in’ (that much we knew!), but there seemed to be far less hope when it came to others: other Christians, non-Christians, non-believers. Happily, the Second Vatican Council made some huge breakthroughs here that are set forth in two remarkable documents: one on Ecumenism, which dealt with our relationship with and attitude toward Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox Christians; the other, on non-Christian religions, which dealt with our relationship to Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and to the other great religions of the world. In both cases, the bishops at the Council surprised the world by expressing a profound respect for other religious traditions and for the truth they teach and embody. I quote, “the Catholic church…looks with sincere respect…on all that is true and holy in those religions…on their ways of conduct and of life.” I suppose we are fairly accustomed to this thinking by now but, as I said before, it wasn’t always this way. Some of the saddest, most violent chapters in human history have been written in the blood of religious intolerance and religious bigotry, and our Church, as we all know has, over the years, contributed its share. On this great feast of the Epiphany, it’s timely for us to reflect on these things. Timely for us to look at those mysterious Magi and to see them, not just as colorful, exotic adornments for Christmas cards and cribs, but as agents for change, advocates for open-minds and open hearts. Religious intolerance, unfortunately, still has a hold on our world. A major hold. So many of the great conflicts within the human family at this moment have religious components to them – significant religious components. Think of what’s going on right now in Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria and, of course, the very land of our Lord’s birth. Sadly, the list could go on. Think of certain strains of thought that are all too prevalent in our own country. Think, for instance, of the surveys that indicate that a significant percentage of Americans would make a person’s religion a deciding, determining factor when it comes to voting. The Second Vatican Council wanted to take us to some new places. Again, I quote, “We cannot in truthfulness call upon the God who is the Father of all if we refuse to act in a fraternal way toward (all others). (We) reject as foreign to the mind of Christ any discrimination against peoples or harassment of them because of their race, color, condition of life, or religion.” My friends in Christ, in past years on this great feast of the Epiphany I have enjoyed talking about this feast in terms of its beautiful poetic imagery that we love so much. This year, as we begin a year-long observance of the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Second Vatican Council, it seemed appropriate to look at this feast through the lens of one of that Council’s great awakenings, one of its great breakthroughs. Back in the early 1960’s, thanks to Pope John XXIII and his openness to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, our Church woke up from a very long sleep and, like the Magi, found itself on a journey to some unknown and unexpected places. It courageously ventured into uncharted territory as it followed a mysterious star that led it to the Light, to the Christ who came for everyone and who, with open arms, accepted everyone. And still does! Father Michael G. Ryan |
While preparing to preach on this wonderful feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, I
found myself thinking about those extraordinary gatherings in Assisi, when Pope
John Paul invited leaders from all the great religions of the world to come
together. They prayed for peace in the world and understanding among peoples --
their very presence together in that holy place a powerful witness to unity and
peace.