Epiphany of the Lord
We are the exiled people rising up in splendor in today’s reading from Isaiah. Joy is renewed in us because God is with us (Hebrew "Emmanuel"). The darkness of our sin and hostility is overcome by the light of God's glory. The Lord is born not only in history but today, in our hearts. We bask in a kind of “afterglow” of the Christmas experience. And Isaiah paints an illuminating and glorious picture.But are we a radiant people? The very word “radiance” suggests more than reflected light. We often speak of a radiant bride, whose love is captured in the very words of Isaiah as he describes the heart that throbs and overflows. We also speak of the radiant woman with child whose new life pulsates within her. This unborn life gives new meaning to the parents' existence and has the power to fill us with hope and promise. As people who celebrate Christmas, do our hearts overflow with the joy of love and life reborn?
So, if nations and neighborhoods are to walk by our light, what kind of radiance do they see? Do others see deep joy in our countenance? Do others experience the hope and promise our faith embodies? Our radiance must come from within, from loving hearts and joy-filled spirits. Our radiance must be powered by that very Source of incarnational love and life, unleashed within us through Baptism.
Epiphany: Christ is made known to the nations. This is our radiance: Christ lives in us so we can be a light in our troubled world.
How do we, as individuals and faith communities, radiate the love of God in our world this very day?
The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, The Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.
