With Epiphany, the holidays are closed
By the Rev. Alexander Jalso Scripture reading: Matthew 2:1-12. Text: “He (God) who did not spare his own son (Jesus), but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously GIVE US ALL THINGS?” Romans 8:32.
On January 6, 12 days after Christmas, we celebrate Epiphany. Epiphany is a Greek word and it means manifestation, because – according to the tradition – this was the day when the three wise men arrived from the East at Bethlehem and the new born King was manifested to the Gentiles as the magi had come to pay homage to the King whose star they saw and followed till they had found him in the manger.
We do not know much about the magi, the Bible does not reveal anything about their origin, names, background, or social status. Tradition has it that their names were Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar; and the gifts they had brought were frankincense, gold, and myrrh. From the three gifts it was concluded that there were three of them.
WE ARE STILL IN FESTIVE MOOD AFTER CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR’S ARRIVAL.
Let us do some soul searching and ask ourselves, do we honestly feel that we are really entitled to receive the gifts we expected, be merry, and celebrate joyfully together with our beloved ones irrespective to the situation in the world around us?
Due to our human nature we have developed an attitude that has almost remained unnoticed; from whatever is good (we like) even MUCH LOOKS JUST A LITTLE; and from whatever is bad (we dislike) even a LITTLE SEEMS TOO MUCH. Is this observation correct?
How does this attitude of ours “manifest” itself in our daily life? Those who counsel troubled people run into this mentality quite often.
– If good-hearted people have done THREE FAVORS to someone, can the FOURTH one rightfully be expected as the continuation of the previous three?
– If a generous person gave THREE GIFTS the FOURTH one should be given also, since he/she can afford it.
– If one was gracious enough to FORGIVE THREE TIMES it seems to be obvious that the FOURTH TIME he/she should forgive again.
– If a person was nice enough to wait for THREE DAYS by the same token he or she should be patient enough to wait at least for one more day.
– If THREE PERSONS received a gift, favor, or pardon can the FOURTH one demand the same treatment claiming if he/she is not treated the same way, it is discrimination?
Is the policy of appeasement the right one and who can guarantee its success?
Now we should ask the question concerning God; HOW MUCH should God give, to how MANY PEOPLE, and HOW MANY TIMES? If so many people are asking for so many things, and so frequently, is God obliged to grant every request of each person all the time?
MEDITATING ON THESE OBSERVATIONS HOW CAN WE INTERPRET OUR TEXT: “HE WHO DID NOT SPARE HIS OWN SON, BUT GAVE HIM UP FOR US ALL – HOW WILL HE NOT ALSO, ALONG WITH HIM, GRACIOUSLY GIVE US ALL THINGS?”
Let us see first how does an earthly father offer his children the most? When he permits his children everything, grant all their requests, and they are not restricted by discipline and responsibilities? Or, the father helps his children even more when there are rules, restrictions, and responsibilities the children should abide by, and they are encouraged, motivated, educated and taught to become decent, respectable, and hard-working adults? Which teacher offers more to his/her students? Who gives an A grade to everyone without any study and homework; or who requires diligence, and the students have to pass rigorous examinations?
Let us distinguish between direct and indirect help. God helps and blesses us indirectly, often by strengthening our faith, increasing our perseverance, and clearing our vision to see the world through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God helps us by enabling us to do our work and not by doing it instead of us.
We can set up this scale of the divine help according to our preferences; what we wish to receive are: power, prosperity, peace, penitence, pardon, and finally paradise.
With the right interpretation this is still true: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:12-13.
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.