Psalm Reflection: The Epiphany of the Lord - Cycle C

“Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.” - Psalm 72

Does that seem a little far-fetched? 

Like every nation? Even North Korea? Or distant islands and lands that have had little or no contact with the outside world?

But this is the mission Jesus gives the Apostles. He knows they are afraid, imperfect, broken sinners (like all of us), so He encourages them to wait in Jerusalem, saying:

…you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. - Acts 1:8

Jesus promises that this mission will be accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit working through them, despite their flaws, their history, their mistakes and their brokenness.

What gets me about this mission to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth is the fact that Jesus was on earth for roughly 33 years, doing public ministry for three of those years, and at the end of it all, there were only about 120 disciples who had stuck around (Acts 1:15).

Jesus was God HIMSELF, incarnate, in the flesh. After three whole years it seems to me that there should have been a whole lot more than 120 people following Jesus! What I love about this fact is the realization that Jesus actively chose for His life and ministry to end the way they did. He entrusted the future mission of the Church to ordinary people like you and me. He chose not to do it all Himself, but invites us to be a part of the building of His kingdom.

Jesus even says to His disciples: 

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. - John 14:12 (emphasis added)

Ex-squeeze me? Did you say we would do GREATER works than you, Jesus? You are JESUS! How is that possible?

Answer: the Holy Spirit.

In Acts 2, after Peter and the disciples receive the Holy Spirit, the thrice denying “obstacle” of a leader (Matthew 16:23) gives one Spirit-filled speech about the good news of Jesus Christ, and at the end:

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day. - Acts 2:41

WHAT?

Jesus after 3 years = 120 disciples

The Holy Spirit working through Peter for 15 minutes = 3,000 more disciples.

With that kind of power and those kind of results, it is clear Jesus knew what He was doing. He fully expected the mission echoed in today’s Psalm, that every nation on earth will adore the Lord, would be fulfilled.

This Sunday is the feast of the Epiphany when we remember the supernatural and unexpected manifestation of heavenly signs that led the magi to Jesus. They came from far off nations to pay homage to the newborn king of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-2). This week, as we reflect on these events, let us pray for our own individual epiphanies. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will manifest in supernatural ways through us so that all nations and all people might come to know that Jesus is Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you who you need to share the Gospel with. Pray that the Lord would lead those who are lost and searching to you for the answers and the hope that can only come from Jesus.

I am praying for you, please pray for me, and I will see you in the Eucharist.

Matt