Epiphany
OT: Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm: Psalm 72
NT: Ephesians 3:1-12
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the Peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Jews knew that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem because of the Holy Scriptures in the prophecy of Micah. But the Gentiles, the magi? They knew because of a star. The heavens truly do testify to your glory! Truly all things were made through you and for you! It is like what Paul said in Romans, that you can be “clearly perceived from the creation of the world.” Yet those with the divine revelation of your scriptures sat in Jerusalem satisfied with their knowledge, while the magi with only a star to guide them sought you out and found you.

For the Jews it is like when Jesus said, “You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have life, yet it is they that testify to me and you refuse to come to me for life.” Or it is like when he warned, “the one who hears these words and does them is like a wise man…but the one who hears these words and does not do them is a foolish man.” But for the magi it is like that great promise from the prophet Jeremiah, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you…”

O Father, may my faith be like the magi, though dim at times and perhaps covered by clouds, may I seek you with all of my heart, that you may be found. And with the little knowledge I do possess, may I use it. May it move me to action. Give me faith and give me courage, that my knowledge would increase my trust in you.