We are at the threshold of a new year, at the beginning of something new. We also sense that we are at the threshold of a new world. It’s not just a new year, it’s a new era. And we are filled with trepidation.
The story of the epiphany is a threshold story. King Herod hears that the wise ones from the East have seen a new star rising, the star of the Messiah. Herod hears this and he is frightened, he is greatly disturbed, and all of Jerusalem with him. And we know from history, that when Herod was disturbed, he was dangerous. He killed all the innocents in an attempt to kill Jesus.
There is always disturbance and danger at the threshold, because you are passing from the known and moving into the unknown. The threshold is a crossroads moment. You can look behind you and see what has happened. You can see where you’ve been. The past has already happened, and cannot be changed. Then you look ahead, and you cannot see what is there. You can pause on the threshold, but you cannot stay there. You cannot go back, you must go forward.
The wise ones, the astrologers from the East, saw something: a new star, and they knew that something big was happening, and they prepared by packing up treasures. They moved towards the star, towards the threshold event, to welcome it. They do not seem afraid or disturbed, they seem more curious. They are curious. They prepare themselves and move decisively towards the unknown, fueled by curiosity.
But Herod is disturbed and afraid, and all of Jerusalem with him. The king is afraid, and his realm is afraid along with him. Like Herod, we have powerful minds, and our fear can infect other people, especially the people who look to us. Our fear is contagious.
We have powerful minds for both the negative and the positive. The astrologers are curious and study the signs, the changes in the sky, and are compelled by something deep inside themselves to move towards the new thing, the new star that is leading them. They are motivated by their curious minds.
Jesus, who in this story is still a baby, is with his mother Mary, and the star stops above the dwelling where they are. The wise ones are curious, and when they find what they are seeking, they are overwhelmed with joy. They are not just happy, they are overwhelmed with joy. Joy is the fruit of their curiosity, and their decisive movement towards the star and what it heralds. Overwhelming joy.
They enter the house, and open their treasure chests, and give of what they have, their precious gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Herod, on the other hand, begins to scheme and dissemble. He says he wants to pay homage to the child, but we know he is up to no good. We know his heart is troubled and afraid, and that he is possessive of his own power. He is the opposite of generous, he wants to cling to what he has gathered for himself, he wants to hoard and control.
So this story is showing us at least two possible approaches to a threshold event: fear and disturbance which leads to hoarding and scheming and even violence—or curiosity, action, and generosity, which leads to joy.
In the Epiphany story we have the wise ones from the East, and we have King Herod. But we also have Mary, who is in the dwelling that the star comes to rest over. Mary who is with the baby, the brand new thing that has come. The Christmas gospel from Luke tells us that Mary “treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart.”
It seems to me that Mary has a great deal to tell us about this threshold event. Was she not the one who was impregnated by the Spirit? Did she not carry this unexpected child for nine months? Give birth in a manger? Stand guard, witness and gather the countless signs and wonders that came to her in the everyday miracles of life? Mary watches her child, Jesus, who is both ordinary and extraordinary, born in a time of great upheaval, this child hunted by kings, heralded by angels and stars, adored by shepherds and their flocks, and visited by wise ones from far away with their overflowing chests of treasure.
Mary sees it all, and what does she do? Mary humbly treasures all these things in her heart, and she reflects. She is completely present to what is happening. And so Mary teaches us something very important about the power of our minds, especially at the crossroads.
We can be present and humble. We can watch and witness, we can reflect. In other words—pray. We can pray.
John O’Donohue, poet and priest says: “We’re on a threshold and the name of the threshold is fragility and we desperately need the shelter and protection of prayer.”
How do you want to approach this new year? This threshold event, when so much is at stake?
We are on a threshold, and we are fragile, we are in need of shelter and protection, most certainly. The news day after day is not good. We are on a threshold, and we are tired and afraid.
Like Jesus, from the moment we are born, we are never far from danger and fear. This is what it means to be human.
But, also like Jesus, we are never far from the miracles of love and healing, from the treasures of the wise ones. This is what it means to be born of God, children of God.
From the moment we are born, we are on the threshold of death. And we are also on the threshold of resurrection and everlasting life.
We are never far from our Mother Mary, who shelters us always with love and prayer, and who treasures us in her heart.
My prayer for you this new year, this Epiphany is a blessing.
A Blessing for the Threshold
May your eyes be open and clear
so that you can see the star guiding you to
the birthplace of Mystery.
May you know the Love that is always
seeking to find you, to take root and to bloom in you,
to dwell in the tender ground of your being.
May you cross the threshold of this time
with grace and courage, knowing the power
of your mind to heal and forgive.
May prayer shelter you
from doubt, fear and fragility,
and light the path before you.
May your curiosity lead you forward,
may you be generous with the treasures of your heart,
and may your joy be full to overflowing.
Matthew 2:1-12 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
`And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Collect from Revised Common Lectionary:
Radiant Morning Star, you are both guidance and mystery. Visit our rest with disturbing dreams, and our journeys with strange companions. Grace us with the hospitality to open our hearts and homes to visitors filled with unfamiliar wisdom bearing profound and unusual gifts.
