January 14, 2024 - Second Sunday after Epiphany
"Invited – Come and See”
Rev. Scott Landis
The season of Epiphany – which serves as a bridge between Advent/Christmas season and Lent – has its origins in the journey of the Magi. As the story goes, they followed a star that guided them to Bethlehem to the birthplace of Jesus where they paid homage with their most unusual gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They then departed for their homeland “by another way,” since they realized their lives could be in danger given the unpredictability of the insanely jealous, King Herod.
Epiphany literally means to show forth – to shine – or to illumine. Merriam Webster is more specific by describing as (1): a sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something. (2): an intuitive grasp of reality through something (such as an event) usually simple and striking. (3): an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure. The Scott Landis version, a little more simply stated is: an “aha” moment when something suddenly makes sense, and a deeper or inner guidance is realized. An epiphany is a knowing that is typically not revealed by fact or acquired knowledge. You just know.
I’ve been rereading a book by Kahu Alan Akana, pastor at Kōloa United Church of Christ in Kaua’i, entitled The Volcano Is Our Home. Born on Hawai’i Island but having lived most of his live on the Continent, Alan did a lot of research on the generations in his family that grew up in Puna (near Hilo) and uses their personal stories to describe the culture and history of Hawai’i in general. He employs the Hawaiian term hō’ike to describe this inner knowing. “Hō’ike,” he says, “is an inner sense, or an inner revelation” – when you know that you know – something you never knew before.
So, we could say hō’ike is what guided the magi as they left their homes and followed a star. They just knew they had to do it. Hō’ike guided prospective disciples when Jesus extended the invitation to follow him. Something deep inside, an inner knowing compelled them to accept the invitation, to drop everything, and to follow this man they had just met – their epiphany.
Over these next two weeks I’m inviting you to explore this concept of knowing and then acting as we explore these fascinating if not unbelievable call stories of the first disciples. This week our focus is the invitation – the call to “come and see” and next week the challenge – the call to “go and do.” Both were vital aspects of their own personal revelation – or epiphany – that prompted them to follow Jesus. It was their “aha” moment when they KNEW they could not do otherwise.
It’s no coincidence that these stories are included in our lectionary during the season of Epiphany, but does beg the question, “How did they know?” “How do WE know?”
Our Zoom Bible/Discussion group this past Wednesday took a bit of a tangent as we discussed our various ways of “knowing” when we thought about OUR own call stories. Ministers are often invited to talk about their “call” stories responding to questions like, “When did you know you were called to ministry?” But everyone has them. That call or tug on your heart that offers guidance, or direction in your life. Call may be toward a specific vocation that seems your destiny. A call may be to live in a certain location or various ones you know you must explore, or the relationships we believed were essential for us, and passions that kept inviting us even when they initially appeared foolish. How did YOU know? What did you do when you received that call?
If you are familiar with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) you know that we each process or perceive the world (and our interactions with others) differently. Some of us are extroverts, others introverts. Some of us process information by research, based on fact, hard data, and that which is concrete, while others operate from their gut using intuition as a primary guide. Some rely on thinking and reasoning, a systemic and organized approach to making sense out of life, while others rely primarily on their feelings. And on it goes.
The bottom line is there is no correct way or better way to know. Each one of us knows and understands and responds based on our primary and innate functions. But, I think, when it comes to matters of the heart – or matters of the spirit we must rely on Spirit to be our guide.
I believe the Psalmist was struggling with this whole idea when he tried to describe God’s “knowing” in one of the most beautiful passages of reassurance in the biblical text. This God whom the Psalmist praised knew him or her completely as evidence in the proclamation: “You know when I sit down and when I rise up. You know my thoughts and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue – you know what I am going to say.
I am not suggesting that we could possibly have the same comprehensive knowing ability as God. We don’t. Even the Psalmist proclaimed, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me!”
And that, as I told my Zoom group the other day, is where faith enters the picture.
It was just a little over 5 years ago when I knew my ministry in San Diego was coming to a close. I just knew. Things had plateaued and I had run out of energy. Randy and I always wanted to live in Hawai’i for a segment of our lives, so I began to explore opportunities here. Keawala’i popped up on the UCC Employment Opportunities page and I figured, “what the heck – it’s only an interim – perfect.” After I interviewed for the position – I just knew. In fact, when the call ended, I went into our living room and said to Randy, “I think we’re moving to Maui.” It was so clear to me.
A week or so later when I got the call, I was at an Association meeting. I couldn’t take the call, but I noticed the area code was 808 and my heart began to pound. Curious beyond my ability to stay at the meeting any longer, I left and immediately listened to the voicemail as soon as I got to my car. Auntie Judi Pasco’s voice confirmed what I already knew. When I looked up from the phone, I noticed the car in front of me in the parking lot had a CA license plate – one of those vanity plates that read “I love Maui.” Sometimes God is real clear.
Other times – not so much. I doubt the Magi or the first disciples, or perhaps even some of you sitting in our hale pule today have had such clear “epiphanies.” More often than not we are left to wonder, and experience long periods of uncertainty and must rely on our faith and our best instincts – our gut and the listening ear of those who know us best – to help as we discern the way forward.
Knowing is sometimes easy, but often it challenges our faith, our sense of practicality, and may tap into our fear that we just may fail.
We may make mistakes. We may fall and feel like we cannot get up. We may misinterpret a lead or a hunch or a knowing, but God is in all of that as well. As they Psalmist attests, “Whether we ascend to heaven or make our bed in Sheol – God’s hand is there. God’s right hand shall hold me fast.”
The invitation is ever before us, whether we are engaged in this work of discernment individually or we are doing so as a congregation. “Come and See,” Philip said. God is calling. Are we able, are we willing to listen?
Amen