https://www.richardsvosko.com/blog/holy-dreams
HOLY DREAMS
Homily for Epiphany 2025
St. Vincent de Paul Church, Albany NY
Do you chalk your doors on the feast of Epiphany? It is an long standing custom in many cultures to mark your doorway with the first letter of the names of the Persian astronomers in Matthew’s story. (Matthew 2:1-12) “Overjoyed at seeing the star” they traveled with their caravan and guards to find the house where Jesus and his parents were staying.
Matthew does not mention the names or the number of the astronomers, but according to one later and popular Christian tradition, there were three: Q. Do you remember their names? A., Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. Their initials CMB also stand for a Latin phrase translated as “May Christ Bless this House.” Now, who here does not want Christ to bless their homes?
But as wonderful as this tradition sounds, I must report to you that biblical scholars do not consider the story of the magi and the bright star in the sky to be historically true. Still, this legendary tale remains a rich opportunity for you and me to reflect on what the 12 days of Christmas mean to us and how they can bolster our hopes for the future.
What we do know about this astronomical story is that long before Jesus was born, star gazing and foretelling the future played a tremendous role in Greek and Roman culture. (Ever read your horoscope?) The royal courts used astronomy to interpret celestial events. They understood them as ominous signs sent from the gods to the king, in this case King Herod.
Also, that bright star in the sky mentioned in the gospel was not only important astronomically, but astrologically and politically at that time. The prediction of such a king [of the Jews] would have held wide interest in the year seven before the common era (B.C.E.), when a power vacuum prevailed in the Middle East. The Israelites especially were waiting for someone to deliver them from oppressive leaders. Power mongers were eager to be potentates.
According to Amy-Jill Levine, professor of Jewish studies and the New Testament, Matthew’s gospel presents “political challenges … the concern with political evil becomes [more] explicit she writes, in [Matthew’s] chapter two.”
Biblical scholar Meda Stamper adds: “For Epiphany the lectionary offers us a tale of two kings: the holy child Jesus and the godless Herod.” Like many kings before him, Herod was an egocentric autocrat who surrounded himself with lackeys who were afraid to challenge him.
When the three Persians told Herod they were looking for the King of the Jews, Herod became paranoid and annoyed that his power would be taken away from him. Professor Stamper continues: The joy of the magi, contrasts starkly with the terror of Herod and his subjects. They [the magi] feel they are in the presence not only of a [new] king but of a savior.”
This is the “epiphany” we celebrate today — the disclosure of what was previously unknown, or not recognized, or not accepted — that Jesus of Nazareth is the savior. Matthew’s gospel suggests as does the second reading (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6) that the life-story of Christ is so compelling and potent it affects all of humanity in one way or another. Thus, he is called the light to all the nations.
The reading from Isaiah (Isaiah 60:1-6) provides a biblical background for this gospel (written around 50-60 C.E.) that declared Jesus to be the savior that the Jews were waiting for. It was a message of comfort and hope for the people of Israel who were facing exile and hardship. Isaiah prophesied that God will rescue the Israelites from evil rulers and bring them back to their homeland. Isaiah wrote “Your light has come, the glory of God shines upon you.”
Stamper reminds us: “The magi are, most of all, models of people who faithfully follow signs to something or someone that exudes holiness. They announced publicly the God of their holy dreams, even if it meant disobeying a king and taking the long way home. We all want to be in the presence of something that is sacred or holy to temper the stress and busy-ness of our everyday lives. But our aspirations are not always sure things.
How many of us make plans only to have them affected by some unexpected situation — bad weather, sickness, death, disagreements. In this story the magi, who experienced Christ the savior, had to avoid the wicked king. When we encounter Christ in our lives we are transformed, our plans change. We cannot live like we once did. We begin follow our intuitions, we take notice of interruptions, we become risk takers, and, like the magi, we ponder our holy dreams hoping they will come true.
During this Jubilee Year Pope Francis is calling upon you and me to become Pilgrims of Hope. The magi were like pilgrims waiting for, hoping for, better days. Francis wrote this: “Everyone knows what it is to hope. In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring.”
That is why it is good for us to be here in this church, to be reminded that all “nations shall walk by our light.” (Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 ) We gather to bless and thank God and to pray for peace, good health and harmony. We search for new ways to help others. We give voice to those who are voiceless. We visit incarcerated persons. We serve immigrants, hungry, and homeless families. We respect persons in the LGBTQ+ community. We care for the environment. We show kindness and mercy to countless others who fear the wrath of autocrats and oligarchs like Herod.
Astronomer Eric Betz wrote: “In the end, we’ll likely never know what really inspired the biblical story of the [the magi and the] Star of Bethlehem. We can decide for ourselves what it means to us.” So, may ourholy dreams reveal the bright light of Christ in a world where the dark of night is troubling us all. That will be our epiphany.
SOURCES
Simo Parpala. “The Magi and the Star: Babylonian astronomy dates Jesus’ birth.” Bible Review 17, no. 6 (2001) <www.biblicalarchaeology.org/free-ebooks/the-first-christmas-the-story-of-jesus-birth-in-history-and-tradition/>
Meda Stamper. Commentary on Matthew 2:1-12 https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/epiphany-of-our-lord/commentary-on-matthew-21-12-14>
Amy-Jill Levine, Women’s Bible Commentary. Editors: CA Newsom, S, Ringe, JE Lapsley (Louisville: John Knox Press, 2012) 466
Zimmerman, Joyce. “Working with the Word: Solemnity of the Epiphany.” https://liturgy.slu.edu/EpiphanyC25/theword_working.html
James Tabor - We Have Seen His Star in the East: What Was the Christmas Star?
December 25, 2024 < https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/we-have-seen-his-star-in-the-east-what-was-the-christmas-star
Eric Betz. February 1, 2024 <https://www.astronomy.com/science/the-star-of-bethlehem-can-science-explain-what-it-was/>
Homily for Epiphany 2025
St. Vincent de Paul Church, Albany NY
Do you chalk your doors on the feast of Epiphany? It is an long standing custom in many cultures to mark your doorway with the first letter of the names of the Persian astronomers in Matthew’s story. (Matthew 2:1-12) “Overjoyed at seeing the star” they traveled with their caravan and guards to find the house where Jesus and his parents were staying.
Matthew does not mention the names or the number of the astronomers, but according to one later and popular Christian tradition, there were three: Q. Do you remember their names? A., Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. Their initials CMB also stand for a Latin phrase translated as “May Christ Bless this House.” Now, who here does not want Christ to bless their homes?
But as wonderful as this tradition sounds, I must report to you that biblical scholars do not consider the story of the magi and the bright star in the sky to be historically true. Still, this legendary tale remains a rich opportunity for you and me to reflect on what the 12 days of Christmas mean to us and how they can bolster our hopes for the future.
What we do know about this astronomical story is that long before Jesus was born, star gazing and foretelling the future played a tremendous role in Greek and Roman culture. (Ever read your horoscope?) The royal courts used astronomy to interpret celestial events. They understood them as ominous signs sent from the gods to the king, in this case King Herod.
Also, that bright star in the sky mentioned in the gospel was not only important astronomically, but astrologically and politically at that time. The prediction of such a king [of the Jews] would have held wide interest in the year seven before the common era (B.C.E.), when a power vacuum prevailed in the Middle East. The Israelites especially were waiting for someone to deliver them from oppressive leaders. Power mongers were eager to be potentates.
According to Amy-Jill Levine, professor of Jewish studies and the New Testament, Matthew’s gospel presents “political challenges … the concern with political evil becomes [more] explicit she writes, in [Matthew’s] chapter two.”
Biblical scholar Meda Stamper adds: “For Epiphany the lectionary offers us a tale of two kings: the holy child Jesus and the godless Herod.” Like many kings before him, Herod was an egocentric autocrat who surrounded himself with lackeys who were afraid to challenge him.
When the three Persians told Herod they were looking for the King of the Jews, Herod became paranoid and annoyed that his power would be taken away from him. Professor Stamper continues: The joy of the magi, contrasts starkly with the terror of Herod and his subjects. They [the magi] feel they are in the presence not only of a [new] king but of a savior.”
This is the “epiphany” we celebrate today — the disclosure of what was previously unknown, or not recognized, or not accepted — that Jesus of Nazareth is the savior. Matthew’s gospel suggests as does the second reading (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6) that the life-story of Christ is so compelling and potent it affects all of humanity in one way or another. Thus, he is called the light to all the nations.
The reading from Isaiah (Isaiah 60:1-6) provides a biblical background for this gospel (written around 50-60 C.E.) that declared Jesus to be the savior that the Jews were waiting for. It was a message of comfort and hope for the people of Israel who were facing exile and hardship. Isaiah prophesied that God will rescue the Israelites from evil rulers and bring them back to their homeland. Isaiah wrote “Your light has come, the glory of God shines upon you.”
Stamper reminds us: “The magi are, most of all, models of people who faithfully follow signs to something or someone that exudes holiness. They announced publicly the God of their holy dreams, even if it meant disobeying a king and taking the long way home. We all want to be in the presence of something that is sacred or holy to temper the stress and busy-ness of our everyday lives. But our aspirations are not always sure things.
How many of us make plans only to have them affected by some unexpected situation — bad weather, sickness, death, disagreements. In this story the magi, who experienced Christ the savior, had to avoid the wicked king. When we encounter Christ in our lives we are transformed, our plans change. We cannot live like we once did. We begin follow our intuitions, we take notice of interruptions, we become risk takers, and, like the magi, we ponder our holy dreams hoping they will come true.
During this Jubilee Year Pope Francis is calling upon you and me to become Pilgrims of Hope. The magi were like pilgrims waiting for, hoping for, better days. Francis wrote this: “Everyone knows what it is to hope. In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring.”
That is why it is good for us to be here in this church, to be reminded that all “nations shall walk by our light.” (Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 ) We gather to bless and thank God and to pray for peace, good health and harmony. We search for new ways to help others. We give voice to those who are voiceless. We visit incarcerated persons. We serve immigrants, hungry, and homeless families. We respect persons in the LGBTQ+ community. We care for the environment. We show kindness and mercy to countless others who fear the wrath of autocrats and oligarchs like Herod.
Astronomer Eric Betz wrote: “In the end, we’ll likely never know what really inspired the biblical story of the [the magi and the] Star of Bethlehem. We can decide for ourselves what it means to us.” So, may ourholy dreams reveal the bright light of Christ in a world where the dark of night is troubling us all. That will be our epiphany.
SOURCES
Simo Parpala. “The Magi and the Star: Babylonian astronomy dates Jesus’ birth.” Bible Review 17, no. 6 (2001) <www.biblicalarchaeology.org/free-ebooks/the-first-christmas-the-story-of-jesus-birth-in-history-and-tradition/>
Meda Stamper. Commentary on Matthew 2:1-12 https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/epiphany-of-our-lord/commentary-on-matthew-21-12-14>
Amy-Jill Levine, Women’s Bible Commentary. Editors: CA Newsom, S, Ringe, JE Lapsley (Louisville: John Knox Press, 2012) 466
Zimmerman, Joyce. “Working with the Word: Solemnity of the Epiphany.” https://liturgy.slu.edu/EpiphanyC25/theword_working.html
James Tabor - We Have Seen His Star in the East: What Was the Christmas Star?
December 25, 2024 < https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/we-have-seen-his-star-in-the-east-what-was-the-christmas-star
Eric Betz. February 1, 2024 <https://www.astronomy.com/science/the-star-of-bethlehem-can-science-explain-what-it-was/>
Thanks, Dick. I’m thinking of coming back to St. Vincent’s. Lots for me to unpack. Grateful for you. Love and Peace,
Patricia
No comments:
Post a Comment