1ST Reading- Isaiah 60:1-6
2ND Reading- Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
Gospel: Matthew 2: 1-12
This is the “Epiphany of the Lord”. We celebrate with great joy that our Savior, our Messiah, has come into the world-yes- as a little babe born of a virgin, in a stable laying on a bed of straw and wrapped in swaddling clothes. God has come to us to save us from the slavery of sin.
And so we celebrate on this day, the manifestation of God in Christ and the extension of God’s saving love to all people. God has come into the world manifested in Jesus, the true light of the world, to guide us with a beautiful light that illumines our hearts our minds and our souls.
What an Epiphany – how special humanity is to God the Father, that He would come to us, to seek us, as little babe, in a stall, in Bethlehem, who later would even suffer and die for us, and be raised from the dead, opening the gates of heaven to us. How special we are.
And so, the story goes. The Magi came from the east, about 700-800 miles away prompted by a star they saw “at its rising.” They traveled to Bethlehem where they brought Jesus gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh; gifts fit for a King. They Journeyed far and as they left Bethlehem, they were inspired by a new star, the one whose light had filled their hearts, minds, and souls. Once seeing Jesus, the Magi had an Epiphany in knowing that God had revealed himself to them forever changing their lives.
God revealed himself to the Jews through the scriptures and to the Gentiles through nature. Since the Magi were Gentiles, Matthew’s gospel for today shows them receiving a revelation through astrology, a star.
These “Wise men” represent the former way of thinking, wondering and philosophizing. They come to surrender to this new Epiphany, this “One God” Who is for all and is also known as the God who does the seeking and finding. The Magi are figures of the world who did the seeking and found God. The Light is initiated by God and this Light is meant for the whole world, Jew and Gentile alike.
As with the shepherds, these Wise Men continue in somewhat of a liturgical manner. Can you see us doing the same thing? They arrive having wandered in faith-we have come here today after wandering through our lives in faith.
They have an offertory procession giving precious gifts very important to them-we process bringing gifts of bread and wine that will become Jesus and we bring ourselves. They have a time of adoration-we have the consecration where we come adore. They leave adoring and praising God, a sending if you will- as we leave we are sent adoring and praising God.
Just imagine coming 7–800 miles. The Magi must have come across some obstacles, some difficulties along the way whether it was potential robbers and especially harsh terrain. But they were inspired by that star they saw at its rising. Can you imagine such a star? Can you see the new star as the priest presents the Eucharist and says: “This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world?”
When we start out on a journey going down some road (whether it is in following a vocation-Christian or other) we too are attracted by something bright-an ideal, a vision, a hope. But this initial “star” does not remain forever above us. It grows dim, clouds get in the way and blocks it from us.
We do expect to encounter on our journey difficulties and even doubts. Some people think or feel like they are losing their faith when they experience doubt. This should not bother us too much. Doubt brings questions and questions bring knowledge and even fills our mind and heart with wisdom. We must believe that the darkness of our trials will pass and once again we will see the initial star beckoning to us as the Magi saw the star over Bethlehem.
The Magi are models for us on our faith journey. They were single minded. They did not let difficulties and hardships get in the way of their journey to Bethlehem and their journey to spread to others what they had found there. When they had found Christ, they offered Him gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. This shows how ones life is changed when finding Christ.
Hearts are awakened and they burst into life. When we find and encounter Christ and offer our gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh, in the form of our love for Him, he will always help us open up the treasures of goodness and charity that lie within each of us, so that we can offer gifts of time, talent and treasure to our brothers and sisters, especially those who are poor and vulnerable.
I can’t help but remember something I heard last week at Church. I am sure this happens to you at some point in time during each week or even every day. What I remember and that has stuck in my memory is what Father Rick said in his homily. “Things of the past enlighten the present”.
How can we not be affected, in a very profound way, with our encounter with God? How can we not be affected every time we come to this altar to receive Him?
I can’t help but think that because of what we encounter here does effect us at this present time. After we leave this Church, after we have encountered God in the Eucharist, how can we not go out of here praising and glorifying our loving God? How can we not emanate his Love wherever we are, wherever we go? Does the things of the past enlighten the present? You know the answer, and it also enlightens the future.
Can we use the Magi as an example? Having worshiped Christ, the Magi returned to their own country by another route. This suggests not just a new geographical route, but a new mentality. Having met Christ and heard his gospel, we too will travel through life by a different route. We will have different attitudes, different values,
different goals. It is impossible to encounter Christ without it affecting the way we live our lives.
As we go from here to start another week, let our focus be on God’s presence around us: Could be a beautiful sunrise, a beautiful sunset, a streak of lightening, the roar of thunder, the beauty of the sun’s rays on wet grass, the beauty of a new born babe, and the Epiphany that God presents himself to us in the Sacraments.
My sisters and brothers, Let us go from here with our hearts, minds, and souls ever transformed with the light of the new star, Jesus Christ. Let us go from here as the Magi left Bethlehem, praising and adoring Him.