Matthew 2:1-2, 7-12, Romans 12:3-8
A composed spirit is centered and self-aware. Such qualities are reflected in the story of the wise ones who traveled from the East, guided by a star, to find the Christ child. This narrative is connected to the Christmas story through a sub-season of the liturgical calendar known as Epiphany. Epiphany, often called the season of light, celebrates self-disclosure and divine revelation. In modern terms, people might describe an “epiphany” as a sudden moment of understanding—an “aha” moment, if you will.
When the wise ones arrived, they understood why they had followed the star: the revelation of God’s gift became their own “aha” moment. This experience was both personal and universal. The universal aspect lay in their shared journey to seek the child over whom the star shone brightly. The personal dimension came from their intimate interactions with the Holy Family—Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. Each moment was deeply personal and profoundly transformative.
Though this is an ancient story, it resonates with us today. We, too, experience the universal through shared spiritual practices and the personal through our relationship with Jesus. To use classical theological terms, these experiences can be described as catholic (universal) and evangelical (personal), shaping and grounding us in faith, belief, and practice.
The Rev. Dr. Magrey deVega, Senior Pastor of Hyde Park UMC in Orlando, Florida, explores these themes in his book One Faithful Promise: The Wesleyan Covenant for Renewal. In this week’s reading, deVega highlights Wesley’s call to a “composed spirit,” which he interprets as self-awareness. This aligns with the teaching in Romans: “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” This passage invites reflection on our position and role in the kin-dom of God.
We all have gifts to offer, but we must guard against centering faith around our personal preferences or elevating ourselves above others. Developing self-awareness is challenging but essential, benefiting both the individual and the community. DeVega emphasizes that a composed spirit leads us to recognize our equal standing with others in the human family, fostering connection and unity.
He further explores the role of humility, describing it as “judging ourselves soberly and realistically.” By cultivating humility, we can grow spiritually, removing the masks—those barriers to authenticity—that Pastor Kevin discussed last week in his sermon. This process enables deeper moments of self-disclosure and communion with God.
Pastor Todd