The title of this blog is kind of geeky, but these are the words that caught my ears today at Mass. In English, we say: “coheirs, members of the same body,
and copartners.” These statements are important as we celebrate epiphany, the moment in which the revelation or manifestation of Christ to the gentiles was made known through the Magi. Paul has been talking to the Ephesians for a while about this new union, new inheritance. How that Jesus made both one, the gentiles and the Jews, removing the dividing wall. He calls us fellow citizens of the same kingdom, and even says we are now “fitted together.”
The second word there seems to have been created by Paul specifically to express this relationship. It has not been found in any writings before this one and expressed something new. Members of this same body. Paul uses this a lot, including reminding us that the hand cannot say to the foot you are not part of me and so forth. Whereas before we were separate, now we are not just together like friends, we are one organism, receiving the same reward and promises from our Lord through Jesus Christ.
Then that third word. That one interests me the most. It’s a greek word that actually deals with delicate plant life. Kind of the idea that a plant needs both hot and cold, dry as well as wet. What we simply say as copartners, is more “codependent.” We need each other. Together we are a dwelling place for God. One body, one organism, that thrives together or dies together. That’s something we tend to lose in the modern, individualistic society. We forget that while we do need and should have a personal relationship with Jesus, it’s not a private but a communal one. To have a personal relationship with Jesus means we have to have one with his body, the Church.
We are no longer separate after Baptism. No gentile or Jew, servant or free… but in Christ one new humanity, one new organism that needs each and every person to be complete. Since this time of year is one of the most difficult for many, one of depression and seasonal affective disorder, especially after a year like 2020, I want to start of 2021 by saying: You’re important. You’re worth our time. You are necessary and needed, and we want you to be a part of us. Because the scriptures don’t say “It’s a good idea” for us to come together, they say we are only complete when we do.
A Homily for Epiphany: January 3rd, 2021