Reflecting on the post-Epiphany season, the Revd Dr Zachary Guiliano, Associate editor of The Living Church, asks whether the Anglican Communion has “pursued all that makes for peace and builds up our common life”.
In the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, 6 January’s Feast of the Epiphany has a second title: “The Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles.” In this season after the Epiphany, we ought to reflect on just how important this feast is.
The word Gentiles is taken from the Latin word for nations (Hebrew: goyim; Greek ethnē), and Scripture calls “the nations” all those people groups the world over, that were not part of “the commonwealth of Israel,” who were “strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world” (Eph 2:12).
That is a description of us. At one time, we had no claim upon God. We were “far off” from God, to use the language of St Paul. But now we “have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:13).
In his marvelous mercy, the Lord made himself known to the peoples of the earth, and in Matthew’s Gospel the first of those peoples were represented in the journey of the Magi from the East (Matt. 2:1-12). What a fact worth remembering and celebrating every day, especially in the Anglican Communion! For the gospel of Jesus Christ has gone out into the world, and people everywhere have responded to it in penitence and faith, putting their hope in Jesus.
Of all churches, ours should be a church of the Epiphany. Our global Communion is a living testament to the power of Christ’s message and kingdom, and it represents one of the latter day fruits of the great harvest of the nations that began with the Magi from the East. It is a precious gift, and its unity, love, and joy in the truth deserves preserving.
Our unity should foreshadow that day when “a great multitude” from every tribe, language, people, and nation shall stand “before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Rev 7:9-10)
Our love should fulfil the great commands of God, that we love him and love our neighbour. “Those who say, ‘I love God,’ and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen” (1 John 4:20). “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
Our joy in the truth should be the same as Jesus Christ and his apostles, the joy of preaching the gospel of truth, for the kingdom of heaven has drawn near. Jesus reigns, and we must announce him. As our Lord said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:18-20).
If we are honest, we must admit that these reflections cause us to realise where we have fallen short. Has the Anglican Communion’s unity, love, or joy in the truth come to perfection? Have we pursued all that “makes for peace and builds up” our common life (Rom 14:19)? Too often we are divided, hateful, and careless in speaking falsehood or slander about our Anglican brethren.
In this season after Epiphany – and as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity runs from the 18 to 25 January – let us consider these questions, reflect on the great acts of God in Jesus Christ, and turn to the Lord for his help.
God revealed his Son to the Magi, and manifests him to the nations even today. May God use us – our unity, love, and joy in the truth – for his purpose: to make Christ known.