3rd Week of Christmas
Reality slaps us if we are not prepared. The hard objective facts stand as pillars. No matter how idealistic, emotional, or passionate a person may be, the foundation stones stand solid. As gravity pulls and keeps us grounded no matter how desirous we may be, no human or earthly power conquers gravity. What we do is adjust, adapt, and arrange to deal with the reality of gravity.
So too with sin, nothing we do ever removes our own sinfulness. Sin by its nature blinds us. It is a fog that settles upon our minds. We live in the valley of sin and so cannot distinguish the light from the darkness (Ps 23:4). We are too accustomed to the shadows and as the prayer tells us we live in the valley of death (Luke 1:79).
But Christ comes with his light which burns away the fog. His light suddenly shines blinding us for its brightness penetrates deep within our eyes dispelling the shadows in which we live. The reality of our sins which seem such like pillars crumble and fall. The blindness of our sins, are, as Isaiah says,
…swept away, your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like mist;
return to me, for I have redeemed you.
Is 44:22
Though our sin blinds us, a great light appears, a star that brings light into the valley of sin, so the shadows of death disappear. Like the morning dew, our sins evaporate and the glory of who we are becomes real. We are struck, blinded, by the awe and wonder of the Divine Light, Jesus, Who takes away our sins. Sinless his Spirit fills us with fear. Fear, reverence for the divine, reveals the power of goodness over evil, love over hate, beauty over ugliness, and truth over lies.
The Epiphany: the Magi, the astrologers who studied the stars saw this power, a star shining in this darkness. Intrigued they studied and followed the star only to realize the hidden reality contained within the light. A king was to be born and not just a king but a Divine King. His name is Emmanuel, God comes to dwell with his people. He comes to restore the kingdom made from the foundations of the world. His kingdom is kingdom of light and joy, peace and justice, hope and help. His kingdom would be a kingdom of pure love.
This light reveals a new kingdom which thrives on love. Love empowers. Love creates. Love inspires. But do we want to this love? The Magi did; Herod did not. He wanted to stamp out this love as a scorpion or snake.
True love is the antidote to the venom of evil. Love infects our whole being with something strange and powerful. No longer filled with the poison of sin, hate, and envy, we become hopeful and faithful even in the darkest hours. We have courage and strength to conquer for evil has been swallowed up and death destroyed in the light of Christ. This is the Epiphany we all await.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
Jn 3:16–18
No greater gift can be given than the gift of a child. Every child is an epiphany, an expression of God’s power to bring forth new life through love even if our world is dark. Yet, the gift of this Child is different. Jesus does not come in human power and majesty; He comes simply, quietly because He has such a great mission. He is going to destroy the evil of this world. In so doing, He will restore the Garden of Eden in which all will be recreated once again in his image and likeness. Instead of using military might and earthly wealth, Jesus comes unveiling the power and glory of our of God.
The Magi reveal their understanding of Who this Child is. He is not just an innocent baby born in Bethlehem, but He is the fulfillment of the prophecy:
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.
Mc 5:2
Jesus the Messiah comes into the world furtively; yet, we know the evil one, Satan, sought to destroy Him. Satan uses Herod, the evil one, to destroy Jesus. Yet, the Magi protect Him and give their gifts which are the symbols of Herod’s worldly power.
In giving up their gold, they gave up their earthly treasure. In giving frankincense they gave up their idolatry. In giving the myrrh, human power, the Magi submit to the Divine power. In giving, the Magi are freed from the deception of Herod and his earthly power because they see Jesus as God’s treasure given to man.
In thanksgiving, the Magi want to give back to God because God gave his wisdom, the greatest treasure to all the world through the birth of Christ. This wonderful exchange prompts us to give back to God for all He has given to us. This is the secret and mystery of Christianity. Jesus Christ, Wisdom Incarnate, gives us Himself as a gift and this gift conquers sin and death restoring our glory.
The glory of God is a person fully alive in God’s life. The Eucharist makes us alive. This Divine Gift is God’s life and the only gift that destroys sin and death. We are invited to receive this wise gift, but to receive it worthily and honorably we must recognize what we receive. St. Peter tells us what this give is:
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
2 Pt 1:3
Jesus Christ destroys the pillars of sin by dying on the cross. This victory became the foundation stone by which Jesus gifts Himself to us each time we receive. In this Eucharist, the Father gifts us everything we need through the Son for our salvation.
The Eucharist, the reality of His Real Presence, burns away the mist and fog of evil and envy. In exchange to receive this Divine Gift, Jesus the Light of World, we offer our gift of self. In so doing, we become the treasure of God’s heart.