"And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they left for their own country by another road."
---Gospel of Matthew 2:12
Just days ago, the Feast of the Kings was celebrated; Epiphany, the festival of the manifestation, the "made-known-ness", of Christ as Gift to the world. In this season, we celebrate eyes opening, hearts softening, minds embracing the possibility of a Savior for all of humanity. From the time the Magi (whoever they were, and however many, and from wherever they had come) had begun their star-guided journey, till the time they turned around to head home, the world had changed. The Treasure to which the Magi had been led had become worshipped, and hunted. Their insight, openness to dream, warned them home by another route.
Perhaps another way to describe the insight of the Magi is the word 'epiphany'. Epiphany, the moment in time when something becomes crystal clear, when the essence of an idea is stumbled upon. The thing is, I'm of the mind that epiphanies are not serendipities. See, serendipities are discoveries made by luck or accident, and they are great when they happen. But epiphanies? I think they occur when we prepare for, study for, hope for, wait for them with expectation. If you stumble upon a sudden enlightenment, it is more than likely you were wandering in the general vicinity of your epiphany. It is not surprising that the Magi discerned the danger in retracing their steps; they lived a life of seeking, and of openness to being guided. They were in position for their epiphany.
You and I? I hope the same goes for us in this new season. Can we be open, seeking, expectant --- ready for our epiphanies? Can we be led, by star or by dream, toward a place of more grace?
And getting home? It's been my experience that all of us travel home by another route. The road we got there on just doesn't serve us on the way home. That trail has grown thick with weeds, choked with the half-formed ideas of our youths. We all need to go home by another route, God help us...
