At the Epiphany, we celebrate the coming of the Wise Men. They are said to be eastern astronomers, searching for an infant king. The story tells of how they found the child in Bethlehem; the son of a very young mother and a Jewish carpenter. For centuries this day has marked the beginning of a season, in which, this child is revealed as God incarnate; and the celebration focuses on the reality of Emmanuel, (“God with us”)!
In our weekly worship, we celebrate Emmanuel, whenever we gather around Word and Sacrament. There we know the promise of God’s gracious presence, in the bread and the wine of communion; where God is with us, extending mercy. The body of Christ is visible in the meal we share and in the fellowship we experience.
During the majority of this past year, we have longed to feel the promise of God with us; as we have missed the regular gathering of our congregations in worship. We have been prevented from touching (and being touched by) God, by not being present for weekly communion worship.
A few months ago, I read a book by Pope Francis. There, Francis, reminds the reader of the promise in Jesus’ words: “Just as you did to one of the least of these, who are members of my family, you did to me.” (Matthew 25:40) Francis points out that here is the same promise of “God with us”, that we celebrate in our weekly communion worship. The promise that we can touch, and be touched by God. Just as we take hold of the bread of communion, knowing that it is Jesus that we grasp; so, when we reach out and take the hand of someone in need, then too, we can be assured that it is Jesus whom we grasp; and it is an encounter with divine grace and mercy. It is “God with us” in the hungry, the naked, the person without shelter, the imprisoned. This realization was an “Epiphany” for me. I had not thought of it, quite like this, before.
Might it be an Epiphany for you too?
The Rev. Robert Bjornstad, Pastor Emeritus