Communion/Epiphany Sunday January 3, 2010 “Our Vision Quest” Reverend Michael D. Powell Matthew 2:1-12

It’s the first Sunday of the New Year - a good time to have our vision checked. In Proverbs 29:18 we read: "Where there is no vision, the people perish."

Last year we had a day of visioning facilitated by Scott Harkness and I feel good about how we’ve been following the visions we came up with. The First Responders Service of Gratitude was a vision that came out of that workshop, as was the new Senior Connections ministry. So was the new Disabilities Team and the special Sunday service they organized. Lane McGaughy’s Advent series was a part of that vision for advancing our Progressive theology. The physical plant has a new roof, new boiler and new signage. Another vision for Morningside was to organize more small groups, and in February Glenda will be attending a special workshop that will give her more skills and tools to begin manifesting that vision. These are just a few examples of what we’ve done, but we’re not resting on our laurels. Our Church Council has another Visioning workshop at the end of January, and I’m excited about all that lies ahead.

My biggest disappoint of 2009, and I’m sure it’s yours as well, is that we failed, for the first time in many years, to pay 100% of our apportionments. I’d personally like to see us put that at the top of our goals for the new year.

What is your vision for Morningside? What does it mean to you that we’re called to be the Body of Christ in this local community, and in our United Methodist connectional system? Do you believe that God is able to do a new thing in this New Year? It’s not realistic to think that everyone is going to have exactly the same vision, but obviously the more agreement and unity we have concerning a common vision the more likely we are to work harmoniously together in order to make it happen.

Today is also the first Sunday in the liturgical season of Epiphany, a Greek word which means manifestation or appearance. Historically, traditionally, the church has celebrated three manifestations of Christ's lordship. One manifestation of Christ's power came at his baptism. There was an ancient tradition that light appeared on the River Jordan when he came up out of the water, symbolizing his spiritual illumination. Thus Epiphany has also been known as the Feast of Lights. Another manifestation refers to Christ's power over nature, when he performed his first miracle by turning water into wine at the wedding of Cana. But, by far the most popular manifestation of Christ's power, which is celebrated on the Twelfth Night of Christmas, January 6th, is the Epiphany to the Magi, also referred to as Kings and Wise Men. Scripture claims that they were foreigners who saw a star. Although of a different nationality and religion, they followed their vision until, discovering the Christ child, they knelt at the manger and worshipped the baby Jesus as the newborn King of the Jews. Thus, Epiphany is a symbol of the universality of the Gospel. At its root, Christianity is neither an ethnic nor a national religion. It's not just for some and not for others. It transcends all the walls that we use to divide ourselves and offers God's free gift of salvation to all who believe in his name. All this is symbolized in the story of the Wise Men, and it's them that I want to focus on this morning.

Some people might say that the phrase Wise Men is an oxymoron, a combination of contradictory words or incongruous thoughts used together, like pretty ugly, jumbo shrimp, or awfully good. Cynics have extended the list of oxymorons to include such phrases as honest politician, military intelligence, and United Methodists!

Today we celebrate our unity with Christ and our fellowship with one another through the Sacrament of Holy Communion. To me, it’s a celebration of the diversity of the Gospel. Our faith is not just for people who all look alike, act alike, and agree with one another on every social, political and theological issue. The very essence of our faith is that it transcends all the differences that we use to divide ourselves.

The significance of the Magi for us is that they had a spiritual vision, a vision that translated into action. They were seekers after truth who believed in divine guidance. They were looking for signs of God's presence in the world, and they believed that God was able to do a new thing.

It's been said that those who are wise still seek him. Have you ever wondered just exactly what that means? Consider the alternatives. Good people may have different visions, be looking for different things or believe in different roads to the same destination. But, in the final analysis, if we're not looking for something spiritual, we're looking for more of the same. If we’re not looking to God, we’re looking to ourselves. There is only one alternative to having a spiritual vision, and that is having no spiritual vision. The alternative to believing in divine guidance through prayer and seeking God’s will is to simply trust in ourselves, in our own resources and abilities as though they are ultimately all we have to believe in and rely on. No star chasing. No journey in search of the manger; just business as usual. That sounds like a heavy, heavy load to carry, and that’s why I believe that those who are wise still seek him. I pray we are praying and looking to God and not just ourselves for guidance, because without a vision, the people perish. “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” [Ps. 127:1]

"Where there is no vision, the people perish." The Wise Men risked everything to follow the star. Are we following the star? My prayer for this church, and I'm sure it's your prayer as well, is that we continue to search and to seek God’s guidance, trusting and believing that God will make a way. Like the Magi of old, it’s up to us to catch the vision and follow the star - to wherever it may lead us.

And, finally, do you remember how the story of the Magi ends? It says that after they discovered Christ they knelt down and offered him their gifts. And then, arising, "they returned home by another way." They didn't go back the way they had come, because they were different! They had caught a vision and, following that vision, they had been transformed. May we offer him our gifts. May we be transformed.

May God grant us an Epiphany of New Life in Christ. May we catch the vision of what Christ would have us do and be, and may we be transformed by that vision into bold disciples for Jesus Christ. May we greet the promise of tomorrow with joy, with the hope and the confidence that comes from having followed our vision and worshipped our Lord. In the power of his name and in the glory of his Spirit we pray. Amen.