Journey of the Magi
January 6th, 2012
January 6 is the feast of the Epiphany in the Episcopal Church and in all liturgically minded churches. On this feast, we read and interpret Matthew's story (2:1-12) about strange visitors from the East who are led by a star to the baby Jesus. There are a lot of details we do not know or understand. We do not know if the star was a comet or something else. We actually do not know how many magi there were, although their three gifts - gold, frankincense, and myrrh - have led some to imagine there were three magi.
We do know that this story corresponds with one of the great themes in human identity: pilgrimage. We process as pilgrims to a holy place, returning at some point to our homeland as changed people. The old is seen with new eyes. In the Gospels, some people literally follow Jesus. The magi do not. They visit the manger and then return home, guided back home not by a star but - as Matthew tells it - by a dream.
T. S. Eliot, the 20th century poet and Anglican, imagines in his poem "Journey of the Magi" what returning home may have been like. The poet's voice is that of the magi:
We retuned to our places, these Kingdoms,
But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation,
With an alien people clutching their gods.
The church makes her home in the world, but the church - like people of good will everywhere - should not be "at ease" in the world. We do not need to settle for the world as it is. As prophets and mystics (from all religious traditions) remind us, there is more peace, more love, more beauty, and more truth for us to discover. Epiphany is about being at home in the world and at the same time seeing a greater horizon.
Photo: The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Guntersville, Alabama
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Not One Poor Minute is a home for reflections on the mystery of God's presence in our lives, from morning to evening, from darkness to light.
The Rev. Richard Lawson was called as Rector of Grace-St. Luke's Church in May of 2010. He went to General Seminary in New York and to Sewanee and has degrees from both.
My God, thou art all I love, Not one poor minute escapes thy breast, But brings favor from above; And in this love, more than in bed, I rest.
- George Herbert
Comments
Allison King: Per John's recommendation, I checked out the entire poem. This is a cool video of TS Eliot reading the poem... poetry always seems easier for me to understand when I hear someone else reading it aloud. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=BCVnuEWXQcg&NR=1
Richard: Great, Allison. I agree - my favorite poetry iss for the ear, not the eye. For this reason, I really enjoy listening to Garrison Keillor read a poem a day on Writer's Almanac on NPR. Thanks for the video, which brings the poem to life. Richard
Gail Tyler: Southern literature is about "place." I envy those who have lived in one place for most of their lives. As a former Navy wife I did not have that luxury. I lived in ten different states and fifteen different homes in the last fifty years. Fortunately, most of them were in the South; however, I never felt "place" like others. What I have come to feel is a sense of place within myself and a continued journey, pilgrimage toward "home." I know that when I walk into a new church, I am not a stranger, I am at home. A lesson for those who are Greeters on Sunday. I think back to the multitude of people I have met in the world over the years in all types of places. When one reaches out each day to new people it is like looking for new worlds in the heavens. Each one is a universe unto themselves. How could anyone get bored !
Richard Lawson: Jimpsie, Thanks for checking in. It does not surprise me that you are drawn to Epiphany, Jimpsie, because artists (like yourself) and poets have always loved interpreting the scene from Matthew, which leaves plenty of room for the imagination. Richard
Gail Tyler: Dear Father Lawson; What a wonderful way to communicate with with your parishioners! On occasion I wanted to respond to your homilies or lessons, but felt I would be imposing on your time. Great idea! Two way communication. Thank you, fHS, Gail Tyler
Richard: Gail, Thanks so much for your comment. You are always welcome to respond, whether on the blog or in person at GSL. Keep in touch. Blessings for Epiphany. Richard
jimpsie: In your customarily articulate way, you have given me food for thought once again. . . 'being at home in the world and at the same time seeing a greater horizon'. Thank you! J