6 minute read
An Epiphany reflection
A new path
The journey of the Magi
By Cate Anthony
I offer this narrative retelling of the story of the Wise Men from the perspective of one of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12) as an Epiphany meditation. The season of Epiphany not only signifies the calling of the chosen few, like the Wise Men, but it also is an invitation to anyone and everyone around the world to follow Christ. As you read it, you might imagine yourself as one of the Magi, compelled by a star to leave home behind to seek out the promise of God. What in your life tells you of such hope that you are compelled to journey (literally and spiritually) to find Jesus?
It all started because of that star, you know, that star that got stuck and just would not move. That star seemed so out of place, so unusual, an unanticipated, indefinable beacon that seemed to speak hope and potentiality and the Great Perhaps out into the world, the truth of the Prophet made manifest among us men. We hung so many maybes on that star—maybe this, this was finally it: the sign of the One, come to lead us home.
end we could not even contemplate. They said it was an audacious thing, daring to believe that under the star we would find something bigger than even our revered wisdom could think up. We journeyed so long, the three of us ragged companions strung together only by hope. On the days when the journeying seemed futile, the star hung high and bright in the sky, beckoning us on and on and on.
When we finally made it to Jerusalem, star-dazzled and fatigued, we gained entry to the court of Herod and asked him where to find the One the star foretold: the ruler of Israel, the great Shepherd of the people of God. The king didn’t know a thing, and in fact seemed quite concerned. He bade us to continue until we found this new King of the Jews, and told us to come back to share the ruler’s location so that Herod, too, might meet the One so Divine.
And so we continued on, the star dancing in front of us, our own wondering buoyed by its twinkle and sparkle and shine. And finally, just when it seemed like we’d follow the star until the end of our days: it stopped. I’ve never felt so relieved—I tell you, we cried with exceeding joy when that darn ball of gas finally stopped leading us on. At first, it seemed like the star had stopped too soon—we were in front of a stable of all things, ramshackle and run down! But since we’d come so far, we ventured in and when we saw that tiny child in the lap of his mother (so heartachingly young and holy herself), I tell you: this incongruous, wrinkly, sleeping little one was the one foretold generations before, the one for whom we’d been waiting, the fulfillment of all our hopes. The glory of the star shone bright within that tiny child, divinity vesseled beyond our wisdom’s wildest conjurings. And so we started out of the East, walking out of our lives toward an
We cried and laughed and praised and gave glory to God above, and offered some gifts to the new family. When the time came we turned back toward home. The night before we set out to journey once again, we each dreamed the same voice of God above warning us not to return to Herod, whose desire to find this child lay rooted in fear and anger and a thirst for power. In the end we stepped East along a different route than traveled before—a new journey for souls newly transformed by seeing God made manifest right before our eyes. I still see the star, you know, when I close my eyes: star of wonder and promise and God among us. I’m so glad we followed that star. ✤
but also featured parishioners reading lessons and leading prayers, helping us feel connected and in some cases, finally put a name with a face. Daily Morning Prayer has been livestreamed from the Chapel of the Holy Spirit each weekday at 8:10 a.m. and the number of people who “attend” this service has grown as a result.
On November 1, All Saints’ Day, we offered an in-person, outdoor service especially for those who’d experienced the loss of a loved one since last November 1. The next Sunday we began live streaming the Holy Eucharist, something that many of our members had missed, combining this offering with the opportunity to come to church and receive Holy Communion using careful preparation and precautions.
An extraordinary year
110 YEARS OF MINISTRY:
In addition to the Contemplative Chapel offered by the rector and the Tuesday Bible study led by Cate Anthony, hundreds of people have participated in webinars on Thursday evenings in several series led by thought leaders in a variety of fields. Participants logged on from around the world, and hundreds more watched video recordings of these presentations after the fact.
May Fair House volunteers have worked tirelessly to make it possible for the community to continue to purchase casseroles and merchandise safely, so that the shop will still be able to award grants to organizations that support women and children. Staff have worked with these devoted volunteers to create a new online shopping platform for safer shopping.
The Flower Guild has continued to lovingly arrange beautiful flowers for the altar, even when they can be seen only on a computer screen during virtual services. The Needlepoint Guild proceeds with stitching unique canvasses which will eventually cover the kneelers in the nave.
These and other events, offerings, and activities have helped us to remain connected and supported, and to have our souls nourished during these months in the desert. We will continue to seek ways to improve on what we’re doing, and to imagine new ways to reach out to one another. ✤ ST. STEPHEN’S CHURCH, NOW MORE THAN EVER.
Thank you to all who have already made a pledge of support to the 2021 Annual Giving Campaign. The vestry, clergy and staff want you to know that your generosity matters.
Now more than ever, all of us need reminders of God’s love and presence. At St. Stephen’s we are finding innovative ways to reach out to “strengthen the fainthearted, support the weak, help the suffering,” and to encourage the faithful in every way possible, especially the homebound and vulnerable. Our dedicated team is especially focused on the poor who could easily be overlooked in such a stressful time—our food ministry, for example, has become an important emergency resource for the city of Richmond.
It would not be possible to carry out the mission and ministry of St. Stephen’s Church without you. People who are able to do so are attempting to make up for those who now have no choice but to cut back. So every pledge, great or small, is important and is needed.
You may make your pledge by:
Completing your pledge card and mailing it in the envelope included in your packet; Pledging online at ststephensrva.org/pledge; Completing your pledge card and dropping it into the special receptacle at the door to the parish house off the Somerset parking lot; Contacting Christi McFadden at cmcfadden@ststephensrva.org to set up a one-time or recurring credit card payment indicating that it is your 2021 pledge.
Your vestry, clergy and staff thank you for your ongoing support of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. ✤
