Thursday, January 23, 2014

2nd Epiphany 2009, Embedded in a Whole

2nd Epiphany
Luke 2, 41-52

Every year his [Jesus’] parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they took him with them. Now after they had gone there and fulfilled the custom during the days of the feast, they set off on their way home. But the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know this; they thought he was among the company of the travelers. After a day’s journey they missed him among their friends and relations. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.

After three days they found him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And those who heard him were amazed at his mature understanding and his answers.

And when they saw him, they were taken aback, and his mother said to him, “My child, why have you done this to us? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”

And he said to them, “Why did you look for me? Did you not know that I must be and live in that which is my Father’s?”

But they did not understand the meaning of the words he spoke to them. And he went down with them again to Nazareth and followed them willingly in all things.


And his mother carefully kept all these things living in her heart. And Jesus progressed in wisdom, in maturity and grace [favor] in the sight of God and man.


2nd Epiphany Sunday
January 18, 2009
Luke 2: 41 – 52

It is such an everyday occurrence that it fails perhaps to amaze: after sending out green leaf after green leaf, suddenly something new appears—a complete change of form and color into blossom; and further on, a change into fruit. Nothing in the leaf predicts these changes.

Human lives too often undergo astounding transformations. The child who year after year just grows bigger suddenly transforms into a stranger. Or years of doing the same thing as an adult result in a change of career. Or a chance encounter turns the direction of a life.

This archetypal pattern was taken up by the young Jesus and guided into
three channels.

As an infant he had received from the three Magi three inner gifts: the radiant gold of wisdom; religious devotion in fragrant frankincense, and the healing capacity in self-sacrifice in bitter-sweet myrrh.

Through the youth’s own inner efforts, these gifts progress into the all-embracing world knowledge of his people. His reverence develops into devotion to both his Heavenly Father and his earthly parents. And despite the glorious revelation of his nature in the Temple, his capacity for mature and wise self-sacrifice returns him to his humble home in quiet beauty and grace.

He achieves wisdom, maturity and grace through his active struggle to balance the inner demands of a changing soul with the requirements of earthly life. 

There are times in our lives when we humbly and patiently send out our green leaves, building a sustaining inner and outer structure. Then comes the moment of blossoming revelation, when our work shows its true purpose, embedded in a greater whole. We  continue then to develop fruitfulness, not so much for ourselves, as for nourishing and sustaining others, for life itself.

Wisdom, maturity and grace are the fruits of the soul’s work, the signs of an individual in alignment with both self and the world. One day this young man, by dint of his own work on himself to produce wisdom, maturity, and grace, would be qualified to say, “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit… You shall recognize them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:18-20



Wednesday, January 22, 2014

2nd Epiphany 2010, Turbulence of Change

2nd Epiphany
Luke 2, 41-52

Ferrari
Every year his [Jesus’] parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they took him with them. Now after they had gone there and fulfilled the custom during the days of the feast, they set off on their way home. But the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know this; they thought he was among the company of the travelers. After a day’s journey they missed him among their friends and relations. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.

After three days they found him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And those who heard him were amazed at his mature understanding and his answers.

And when they saw him, they were taken aback, and his mother said to him, “My child, why have you done this to us? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”

And he said to them, “Why did you look for me? Did you not know that I must be and live in that which is my Father’s?”

But they did not understand the meaning of the words he spoke to them. And he went down with them again to Nazareth and followed them willingly in all things.


And his mother carefully kept all these things living in her heart. And Jesus progressed in wisdom, in maturity and grace [favor] in the sight of God and man.

2nd Epiphany
January 17, 2010
Luke 2, 41 – 52

Over time a plant changes its form: from seed to shoot; shoots become the fullness of leaves; leaves transform into flowers and fruits.

We too undergo changes of form: from infant to toddler, from child to youth. The transformation in adolescence is a huge one. The change of form is accompanied by the awakening of new possibilities. As the body undergoes a major overhaul, our own personal destiny begins to awaken. There are flashes of what the adult will one day become. It brings with it new and surprising elements, unfamiliar and bewildering to parents.
12 year old Jesus, Dürer

The young Jesus gives us some indication of how the human spirit negotiates the turbulence of change, how to handle the cross-pull of inner and outer demands. In the Temple, He awakens to His destiny as a teacher. He recognizes that He belongs in this house of His heavenly Father. But His stroke of insight is not yet the full picture. For this is just the first of many transformations, which will ultimately make Him a healer, a prophet, the High Priest and Savior of humanity.

And so when challenged by His parents, He willingly assents to return with them. Although now very different, He weaves Himself into His present situation, into being the young son of His parents. Neither He, nor His mother, forgets what they have glimpsed.  He weaves together future growth into the present situation.

We too can see in this a productive way of integrating future and present. We catch moments of inspiration. It may not yet be the right moment, either for us, or for outer circumstances, for their fulfillment. But we can remember them, ponder them in our hearts. And then, perhaps after many changes and transformations, we will be positioned for fulfillment. And in so doing we too will blossom and bear fruit in wisdom, in maturity, and in grace. 


Tuesday, January 21, 2014

2nd Epiphany 2011, Metamorphosis

2nd Epiphany
Luke 2, 41-52

Every year his [Jesus’] parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they took him with them. Now after they had gone there and fulfilled the custom during the days of the feast, they set off on their way home. But the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know this; they thought he was among the company of the travelers. After a day’s journey they missed him among their friends and relations. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.

After three days they found him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And those who heard him were amazed at his mature understanding and his answers.

And when they saw him, they were taken aback, and his mother said to him, “My child, why have you done this to us? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”

And he said to them, “Why did you look for me? Did you not know that I must be and live in that which is my Father’s?”

But they did not understand the meaning of the words he spoke to them. And he went down with them again to Nazareth and followed them willingly in all things.


And his mother carefully kept all these things living in her heart. And Jesus progressed in wisdom, in maturity and grace [favor] in the sight of God and man.

2nd Epiphany
January 16, 2011
Luke 2: 41-52

In the life of a plant, there is a long period when green leaf follows green leaf. But then, after some time, something new appears—the color-filled blossom, shaped like a star.

In our lives as well, there are long periods when things hum along in the same way. And then an event occurs: a love found, a new baby, a love lost. And then suddenly everything changes.

In the gospel reading, the parents journey to a new place; they lose their child. What they find after three days is someone who is now utterly changed. He is transformed. From then on, life for them all will be totally altered. For the Child has His destiny, as do we all. His star has arrived; He must follow its course.

It will be long before any of them understand where His path will lead. But already its character is manifesting itself—as change, as transformation, as metamorphosis. And that metamorphosis of the innocent child into the mature, grace-filled, wise individual of inner stature is a journey we all take. It is a journey that entails losses; but also immeasurable gains. For change and transformation are the character of life. As the poet says:

What if this road, that has held no surprises
Winding Road, Sandy Tracey
these many years, decided not to go
home after all; what if it could turn
left or right with no more ado
than a kite-tail? ….
And if it chose to lay itself down
in a new way; around a blind corner,
across hills you must climb without knowing
what's on the other side; who would not hanker
to be going, at all risks? [1]





[1] Sheenagh Pugh, "What If This Road"


Monday, January 20, 2014

2nd Epiphany 2012, Flash of Destiny

2nd Epiphany
Luke 2, 41-52

Every year his [Jesus’] parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they took him with them. Now after they had gone there and fulfilled the custom during the days of the feast, they set off on their way home. But the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know this; they thought he was among the company of the travelers. After a day’s journey they missed him among their friends and relations. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.

Christ Among the Doctors, Dürer
After three days they found him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And those who heard him were amazed at his mature understanding and his answers.

And when they saw him, they were taken aback, and his mother said to him, “My child, why have you done this to us? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”

And he said to them, “Why did you look for me? Did you not know that I must be and live in that which is my Father’s?”

But they did not understand the meaning of the words he spoke to them. And he went down with them again to Nazareth and followed them willingly in all things.


And his mother carefully kept all these things living in her heart. And Jesus progressed in wisdom, in maturity and grace [favor] in the sight of God and man.

2nd Epiphany
January 15, 2012
Luke 2: 41-52

Destiny often takes us on unpredictable paths, through strange twists and turns. As adults looking back on our lives, we may be surprised at how different it turned out from what we might have expected from our upbringing.

The child Jesus was sweet, loving, and gentle, as simple soul. Yet His destiny brings Him to a place and a point where great changes take place. He suddenly becomes mature and intellectually sophisticated. He unintentionally upsets His parents out of a strong sense of His own destiny, out of the sense of true homecoming and the urgent need to ‘be and live in that which is my Father’s’.

Detail, Christ Among the Doctors, Dürer
Yet the strength of His destiny call does not poison the gentle compassion of His soul. He does not become self-willed and arrogant. He returns to His other home and willingly lets His parents guide Him. In so doing, He, and His destiny have time to ripen. He grows wiser, more mature. He remains open to God’s grace.

Destiny sometimes come to us in flashes. Yet those flashes may only be signaling the beginning of a process. If treasured in the heart, such flashes can give us a sense of direction. Such a process allows our destiny to ripen, as we follow a pathway of wisdom, of maturing, open to grace.

For all of us, the destiny of humankind has already flashed up. It is already underway: it arrived with Christ. And so we are all in the midst of a destiny process. In a poem called, “Today”, William Stafford says:

   The ordinary miracles begin. Somewhere
   a signal arrives: “Now,” and the rays
   come down. A tomorrow has come. Open
   your hands, lift them ….
   Not the same now,
   you could close your eyes and go on full of light.
   And it is already begun, the chord
   that will shiver glass, the song full of time
   bending above us. …
   “Be warm.” …. a giant
   has passed through town, widening streets, touching
   the ground, shouldering away the stars[1].




[1] William Stafford, “Today”, in My Name is William Tell.


Sunday, January 19, 2014

2nd Epiphany 2014, Wholeness, Integrity, Loveliness

2nd Epiphany
Luke 2, 41-52

Dürer
Every year his [Jesus’] parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they took him with them. Now after they had gone there and fulfilled the custom during the days of the feast, they set off on their way home. But the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know this; they thought he was among the company of the travelers. After a day’s journey they missed him among their friends and relations. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.

After three days they found him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And those who heard him were amazed at his mature understanding and his answers.

Borgognone
And when they saw him, they were taken aback, and his mother said to him, “My child, why have you done this to us? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”

And he said to them, “Why did you look for me? Did you not know that I must be and live in that which is my Father’s?”

But they did not understand the meaning of the words he spoke to them. And he went down with them again to Nazareth and followed them willingly in all things.


And his mother carefully kept all these things living in her heart. And Jesus progressed in wisdom, in maturity and grace [favor] in the sight of God and man.


2nd Epiphany
January 19, 2014
Luke 2: 41 – 52

Outer appearances can be misleading. The humble plant can be a powerful source of healing. The small dog can manifest a great heart. The naïve, simple child can harbor a great individuality.

The sweet boy Jesus underwent a radical change in His three days in the temple. He emerged as someone rapidly growing in wisdom, in maturity, in loveliness. Although this change was exceptional, he was neither awkward nor at odds with anyone.   This change was perceptible as a wholeness, an integrity, a loveliness, both in the sight of God and of his fellow human beings.
Dürer, detail

At various times in our lives we undergo changes, some of them radical. As we do so, we can strive to maintain our harmony with our fellow human beings, with ourselves, and with our God.  For we, like the twelve year old Jesus, all harbor the potential to be a powerful source of healing, a great heart, a weighty individuality. All of us can strive to ‘live and be in that which is our Father’s.’[1] For this twelve year old child grew to give us the Lord’s Prayer.  And, as we petition in that prayer, we all can aim to live in the graciousness of His name; to develop and mature His kingdom here on earth; to act in accord with His wise will. 

2nd Epiphany 2013, Nodal Points

2nd Epiphany
Luke 2, 41-52

Borgnone
Every year his [Jesus’] parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they took him with them. Now after they had gone there and fulfilled the custom during the days of the feast, they set off on their way home. But the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know this; they thought he was among the company of the travelers. After a day’s journey they missed him among their friends and relations. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.

After three days they found him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And those who heard him were amazed at his mature understanding and his answers.

And when they saw him, they were taken aback, and his mother said to him, “My child, why have you done this to us? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”

And he said to them, “Why did you look for me? Did you not know that I must be and live in that which is my Father’s?”

But they did not understand the meaning of the words he spoke to them. And he went down with them again to Nazareth and followed them willingly in all things.


And his mother carefully kept all these things living in her heart. And Jesus progressed in wisdom, in maturity and grace [favor] in the sight of God and man.

2nd Epiphany
Pinturicchio
January 13, 2013
Luke 2: 41-52

At twelve, Jesus undergoes a great change. Overnight he is transformed from a sweet and simple child into a wise and mature young man. His parents don’t know what to make of him. They chide him; he answers innocently, yet with some surprise, that he thought it obvious where he belonged. At the same time he returns with them cheerfully and willingly.

There are nodal points in all our lives, points where something emerges, something shifts; where the old dissolves and the new consolidates. It happens to us; it happens to those we love and think we know, even to adults.

This reading gives us two lessons: the first is that no one stays the same. We all develop (or else we devolve). Therefore the second lesson is that it is helpful to approach each person we encounter with a kind of open and neutral curiosity—as if we had never met them before, even if we think we know them well. Otherwise they are trapped in a cage we have made for them, a cage of expectations, of disappointments, even of disapproval. Such an open and unprejudiced practice of heart allows the other to become what they truly are.

With open hearted curiosity, we offer them a broad but impartial mirror in which they can see the truth of themselves reflected clearly. We are offering them a form of Christ-love; for He said, ‘You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free’.[1]





[1] John 8:32
Note in the Pinturicchio the three children: Jesus on the upper right, and two children on the left foreground, an older one and a younger-looking one, touching each other. The older looking child holds a book, the younger a white bag in his left hand (a book?). The Jesus on the upper right seems separated from the rest of the figures by a kind of white tile 'boundary' in the floor, which is strewn with books (the Word). Only the Mother figure next to him in the background (in red, blue and purple) extends across the boundary toward Jesus.  The Borgnone above also has two children, one being led away by the Mother, the other remaining.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Epiphany 2007, Devoted Offerings

Cyprian Byzantine
1st Epiphany
Matthew 2: 1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea—during the time of King Herod—behold: wise priest-kings from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
           
“Where is the one born here King of the Jews? We have seen his star rise in the east and have come to worship him.”
           
When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. And he assembled all the high priests and scribes of the people and inquired of them in what place the Christ was to be born.

And they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it was written by the prophet:

And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are by no means the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come forth the ruler
Who will be shepherd over my people, the true Israel.”

Then Herod, secretly calling the Magi together again, inquired from them the exact time when the star had appeared. He directed them to Bethlehem and said, “Go there and search carefully for the child, and when you find him, report to me, that I too may go and bow down before him.”

After they had heard the King, they went on their way, and behold, the star that they had seen rising went before them, and led them in its course over the cities until it stood over the place where the child was.

Seeing the star, they were filled with [there awakened in them] an exceedingly great and holy joy.

Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; they fell down before him and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and offered him their gifts: gold and frankincense and myrrh.

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their country by another way.

           
1st Epiphany
January 6, 7, 2007
Matthew 2: 1-12
   
What gift can we bring to someone who has everything? He is the long awaited King, whose arrival is announced in the script of the stars. The shepherds had brought the joy and enthusiasm of their hearts. They carried the angels’ message of glory and peace to the child’s parents. In the Shepherd’s Play[1] they bring,  along with their enthusiasm and devotion, milk and wool, the natural products of their work.

The three Kings too are sent as messengers. But it is Herod who wants tidings of the new king’s whereabouts, so that he can kill him. Fortunately, the Magi are open to higher guidance. They meet the child and his mother and great joy awakens in them. It is the joy of recognition one might feel for a revered mentor, a joy of humble gratitude. To the One who has everything, and yet nothing, they too bring the fruits of their labor and the gifts of their hearts – the gold of wisdom gained, the frankincense of their heart’s devoted offering, the myrrh of healing. Their gifts may be more sophisticated than those of the shepherds. But they too are heart’s offerings infused with the warmth of joy.

What gift can we bring to the One who has everything? The fruits of our labors, the gift of our hearts. We bring him the wisdom of our life experience, our thoughts, offered with the glowing frankincense of our love, all brought in hope of healing.

www.thechristiancommunity.org




[1] The Oberufer Christmas Plays, collected by Carl Julius Schroer