The Epiphany of the Lord (Solemnity)
January 3, 2016
10 AM Combined Family & Regular Liturgy
J.A. Loftus, S.J.
Christopher the Camel is no stranger to this upstairs Ambo.
Nor is he a stranger downstairs in the Lannon chapel. Christopher
has been used in many places to shed light on what this celebration
is all about. And he is usually very helpful. Because it’s very hard
for bright, adult grown-ups to explain today’s feast. Most of us
don’t really know. Sometimes it helps to “talk to the animals.”
We know from all the readings and songs today that it has to
do with the fact that the long-awaited Messiah of Israel, God’s
chosen one, is finally given to us. But he is not given just to us, not
just to we Jews, or we Christians, not even just to us humans. The
Christ is given to all creation, to Jews and Gentiles, to strangers and
outcasts of all strange sorts, to camels and lions and tigers and
bears! God has come for ALL!
So that’s it in words. Simple, isn’t it? But hard to swallow.
We’re supposed to be special, aren’t we? You mean Jesus is not just
for us? Let’s talk to some animals. How does the camel know to
just bow down before this tiny baby? How did the sheep know?
And the donkeys know? What did they know that still escapes us?
Most of them just saw a magical star in the sky or followed
angel’s voices that sang to them. And they knew to just bow in
silence and feel some awe. Wow! It’s happening and we’re invited
to be here. Laudato Si’. Praise Be! They didn’t seem to need
words. Praise Be!
Artists always capture these things better than most.
Painters started; great painters all capture the simple rapture that
cows and donkeys, birds and camels all sense. Sandro Botticelli
paints a triptych called the Adoration of the Magi. Ottorino
Respighi gives musical voice to the camels hoof-beats as they plod
to Bethlehem. (You can really almost hear the camels in his
music.) The great poet T.S. Eliot immortalizes the “Journey of the
Magi” in his 1927 poem. And Benjamin Britten gives it voice in his
song about the camels and these strange Magi.
But words are always few. Artists know better. They say,
“Just listen, watch, bow yourself,” and see if it doesn’t make more
sense that way. And don’t miss the star! There is a cosmic event
taking place. The heavens themselves are moved and moving. This
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is about something bigger than it seems. All creation seems to get
it, and all creation is in on the celebration. Laudato Si.’ Praised be
sister sun, brother moon, daughter Christopher.
In T.S. Eliot’s version, the Magi come to see and experience a
birth. And they do. But they realize as they head home exhausted,
they have also seen a death. This child is the death of the whole
world that they have known. Everything is changed now! And will
be forever. Laudato Si’.
I’ve used too many words. I do apologize kids—of all ages.
Today is not a day for words. Today is a day of wonder and belongs
to the artists. The other great artist we should celebrate a bit
today and thank is the one we call St. Matthew. This is his story.
Ironically, it’s his story of Pentecost, yes Pentecost. That is the
memory that lives behind todays story of the Magi.
Pentecost was the experience they all had of strange things
flying thorough the air, of flames of fire, of everybody speaking in
strange languages and being understood, of a power unleashed in a
wind that they had never even imagined was real. And ALL were
welcome to share it! It is everybody’s party!
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Listen to Christopher and his kind! Just be amazed with
them. Laudato Si.’ Praised Be! Makes you think a little differently
about Fido or Fluffy back home, doesn’t it? Laudato Si.’ It’s their
celebration too! Brothers and sisters, everything has changed!
Some of us just need to catch up! Peace!
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