01-06-21

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ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
January 6, 2021
Scripture: Matthew 2:11
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.

Thought for the Day: I wish I could remember the exact details of the story as I am sure I’ll get a piece of it wrong, but a number of years ago a parent of one of my church kids (back when I was doing youth and children’s ministry) had something funny to share. The family had been reading the Epiphany Story (the NRSV translation was brand new), and the boy’s mother asked him what “paid him homage” meant. The boy thought homage was a type of porridge, and along with the gold, frankincense and myrrh, the Magi had brought breakfast as some sort of payment. For a while, we joked about the fourth Magi bringing Cream of Wheat for the Holy Family. In fact, the word homage describes the kissing of the Master’s hand by a servant or subordinate, and though I doubt the Magi kissed the hand of the baby Jesus, the idea of paying homage describes an act of humility and reverence before the Christ Child. Though we celebrated Epiphany this past Sunday, today is the official day (January 6). Let us look to the actions of the Magi who showed reverence for this Gift of God, and did so in a setting that was not usually associated with religious reverence. Outside of Sunday morning, how does your life show reverence to God’s gift?

Prayer: O Gift of God, O Love Enfleshed, let my life and how I live my life show the highest admiration possible for what you represent in this world. And may it happen beyond the usual time associated with worship. Amen.

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