The Epiphany is about the divine mysteries becoming known.

When someone hurts us, what do we most want? Healing, or revenge? Reconciliation of the relationship, or the humiliation of the one who caused us harm? Even if we’re nice, gentle souls, there might be a tinge of grievance in our injured hearts that seeks some retribution before things can be made right.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory—this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.”

A few years ago, a parishioner shared an Epiphany reflection with our community. She didn’t talk about the Magi and their gifts. She didn’t reflect on the star they followed. Instead, she invited us when the opportunity arose to watch how a mother holds her newborn child.

The celebration of the Epiphany of the Lord offers us a vision justice and peace. We pray for the healing of all division and violence.

Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem. The Magi were “wise men,” Gentile seers who combined astronomy and astrology to divine religious insights from the skies. Naturally the star attracts them and leads them to find its meaning.

Lord Jesus . . . . every presence makes me feel that you are near; every touch is the touch of your hand; every necessity transmits to me a pulse of your will. —Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955)