The righteous flourish and peace is found in abundance when
people in power care for the poor and the oppressed and those who have no
helper. It is a clear indication of how differently God views the hierarchy of
the human community. The king is given God’s justice and righteousness to provide
for those who cannot repay by showing compassion to the lowly poor and preserving
the life of the needy. Those who claim the name of the King of Kings would do
well to note the nature of Jesus’ reign. The song that announces his conception
sings of the mighty brought down and the lowly lifted up; the hungry filled
with good things and the rich sent empty. It is more than pretty poetry penned
by the prophet Isaiah. The blood of those subjected to oppression and violence
is precious in God’s sight and their cries ascend to the heavens and do not fall on deaf ears.
In the epiphany story the kings of Tarshish and Sheba and Seba (or their emissaries)
came to Bethlehem expecting to find the King of the Jews. That they recognized
him in such humble surroundings must mean they looked at the world a little
differently on their way home. So it is for us who have encountered the Christ and
seek to honor him on our journey home. Or as Matthew will say in his Gospel, “When
I was hungry you gave me food….”
Well said.
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