Blogging toward Epiphany: A life and death matter

For more commentary on the Epiphany readings, see the Reflections on the Lectionary page. For full-text access to all articles, subscribe to the Century.

The Old Testament and gospel readings for Epiphany function as point and counterpoint. Isaiah offers a word of great comfort to those who have been so long in darkness. Impoverished as the hearers have been, honor and fortune are on their way. It's a message of rejoicing: the light that has dawned will make all who see it radiant.

Or not. Herod does not rejoice, of course. He does not find comfort or hope in the magi's report; he doesn't see the star's light. The magi see the light and tell Herod what they think it surely means--an interpretation they presume he knows. He does not.