A Concord Pastor Comments: Preparing for Epiphany: It's all in the eyes!

Adoration of the Magi by Andrea Mantegna

It's all in the eyes!

(Be sure to click on the image for a larger, more detailed version)

The magi offer the Christ Child their gifts, but they still gaze up and off into the distance. Perhaps they are inquiring of the star: "Is this really the One to whom you have drawn us?"

And Joseph... Joseph keeps his eye on these wealthy visitors... "How came they knocking on my door?" he must wonder. 'Their gifts are extravagant! What will I need to provide for my wife and the child? What do these strangers want?"

Not surprisingly, Mother Mary simply keeps her eye on the child of her womb. Might she see in this unexpected visit the twists and turns her child's life will take? But see, too, how she offers the child, holding him forth, already aware that she will, in the end, need to give him away to all who come looking for him...

The Infant's eyes and visage tell us clearly that he has no need of these fine offerings... He wants something from each of us but what he desires comes in neither coffer nor cup ... What he desires comes only in our hearts...

Child of Mary's womb,
apple of Joseph's eye,
welcome us when we come to you:
to visit, to pray,
simply to draw near...

Set our gaze on only that star
whose light leads us
along the path of your truth...

Teach us to make of our hearts
the finest gift we have to offer
to you and to others...

When we wonder if we have found you
- or lost you -
deepen our faith
in your faithful pursuit
of us, our lives and our love...

Shine, appear and reveal
the beauty of your face to us
that we might never fail to see you
in all we meet and know...

Guide us, Lord Jesus, by your perfect light...