Sunday Meditation: The Feast of Manifestation

That is what the Feast of the Epiphany was once called, as you will hear explained.  The Feast of the Epiphany celebrates the first manifestation of Christ, the Son of God, to the gentiles.

Last year I posted a Sunday Meditation of today’s Gospel reading.  Please refer back to that.  So today I will focus on the first reading, a reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.

 

  Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem!  Your light has come,

the glory of the Lord shines upon you.

See, darkness covers the earth,

and thick clouds cover the peoples;

but upon you the LORD shines,

and over you appears his glory.

Nations shall walk by your light,

and kings by your shining radiance.

Raise your eyes and look about;

they all gather and come to you:

your sons come from afar,

and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

 

Then you shall be radiant at what you see,

your heart shall throb and overflow,

for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,

the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.

Caravans of camels shall fill you,

dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;

all from Sheba shall come

bearing gold and frankincense,

and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

~Is 60:1-6

Jeff Cavins provides a thoughtful reflection.

 

I also found a Jewish reading of this passage that I thought would complement this well.  An explanation from Lise Rosenthal from Temple Beth Israel.

 

Now that’s a little different, isn’t it?  The caravans are going back to Jerusalem from a diaspora.  So now think to the Gospel reading.  The Magi will also be coming back to Jerusalem to pay homage to the splendor of the light.