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Feast Day Reflection: The Epiphany of Our Lord

1/5/2017

 
Picture
The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ
January 6, 2017
 
In the sense of its visionary yet beautifully impractical wondering and wandering, what a romantic story this is in Matthew 2:1-12. I am star-struck by the Magi astrologers who go on a trek across deserts from perhaps Persia or Arabia to seek out the new born King. Such a journey could have taken up to two years. What prompted such a sense of adventure? Just a star? Or was it the imagination of their hearts seeking the promise to which the star pointed?

How they got there doesn’t matter a whole lot. My mischievous side enjoys knowing that apparently some of the early Christian community was scandalized by the idea of the Magi following a star to Bethlehem. They worried that this feature of Scripture could give credence to a fatalistic reading of the stars and undercut the sovereignty of God. Of course we know that as the fly-fishing philosopher Henry Bugbee has said, “The tenets of scripture are meant to be occasions for wonder, not the termination of it.” Be that as it may, they got where they were going by their foolish wandering wondering. God is so good!

Some years ago I set off on my own fantastical journey to Calcutta, India, in the hope of discovering a renewed manifestation of God in my life. One of my stopovers was in Amman, Jordan. The only gift I took was myself.  Little did I know at the time that just as the Magi did, I too would be gazing into a crib in a faraway place. The prayer that arose in me that morning was, “God, let me be out of control for you so that my security is in you alone.”

So I went into the “House of Joy,” as the local orphanage was known, to play with the children. They loved to play down on the floor-mats as many could not walk from war injury or other disability. They liked to have their legs rubbed and to play hand games which made them laugh. But that day I was directed to the crib where 18-month-old Josef was lying. He weighed 8 pounds. He had no legs and only stubs for arms. In the place of eyes were bulbous growths in a small misshapen skull. I was told his head contained nothing much more than a brainstem that kept his heart beating and lungs breathing.

As he was placed in my arms I was asked to feed him. As I did so I was broken and out of control. Where had God led me? As I held him and gazed into his grotesque yet strangely beautiful face, a deep peace and profound gratefulness, even joy, came over me. Of course he was Jesus. Just at that moment a Muslim man came up to me who had also appeared that day to be with the children. It was a Muslim holy day, and he said today this needed to be his prayer. He wanted me to know that he saw my tears and they helped him to pray. Jesus again. Jesus everywhere. For everyone. Epiphany indeed.

Bishop Skip

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    Bishop Skip Adams

    The Right Reverend Gladstone B. Adams III was elected and invested as our Bishop on September 10, 2016. Read more about him here.

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Our History
    • Our Vision
    • Find a Church
    • Deaneries
    • The Bishop >
      • Messages from Bishop Woodliff-Stanley
    • Clergy & Staff >
      • Clergy in Good Standing
      • Clergy and Transition Ministries
    • Governance >
      • Constitution & Canons
      • Convention
      • Boards and Committees >
        • Standing Committee
        • Diocesan Council
        • Trustees of the Diocese
        • Deputies to General Convention
        • Commission on Ministry
        • Liturgical Commission
        • Visioning Committee
        • University of the South Trustees
        • Other Boards and Committees
    • Historical Timeline
    • FAQ
  • Ministry
    • Prayer Calendar
    • Diocesan Meditations
    • Outreach
    • Grants for Congregations
    • Administrative Resources
    • Clergy Resources
    • Liturgy & Worship >
      • Liturgical Commission >
        • Bishop Guerry
      • Marriage
      • The Lectionary
      • The Book of Common Prayer
      • Brother, Give Us A Word (SSJE)
      • Daily Prayer: Forward Movement
    • Education & Formation >
      • Adults
      • College Ministry
      • Youth
      • Children
    • Church Connections >
      • The Episcopal Church >
        • Province IV
      • The Anglican Communion
      • Anglicans Online >
        • The Society of Archbishop Justus
      • Daughters of the King
      • Episcopal Church Women (ECW)
      • Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross
      • Order of St. Helena
    • Ecumenical & Interfaith >
      • Racial Justice & Reconciliation
      • Fellowship of SC Bishops/Public Education Initiative
      • Charleston Area Justice Ministry
      • Christian Jewish Council
      • Gun Violence Prevention
    • Communication and Evangelism >
      • Carolina Grace
      • Social Media Sunday
      • Mission Matters Videos
  • News
    • News Blog
    • 80th General Convention 2022 >
      • 80th General Convention Blog
    • Events Calendar
    • Upcoming Events
    • Lent 2023
    • Sacred Ground 2022
    • Responding to COVID-19
    • Email Newsletter
    • Episcopal News Service
    • Anglican Communion News
  • Giving
  • Convention
    • 232nd Diocesan Convention
  • Contact Us
    • Get in touch
    • Make a donation
    • Sign up for the newsletter
    • News Submission