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Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

READ: 

Isa 60: 1-6; Eph 3: 2-6; Matt 2: 1-12

REFLECT: Manifest God to others by way of life...

Dear friends, today we celebrate the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. The feast of Epiphany indicates the end of Christmas cycle and we enter into ordinary season of the liturgical year in catholic faith. The event celebrates the day, when the Magi or wise men from the East journeyed to Bethlehem to pay homage to the new born child and King, Jesus. The word ‘epiphany’ comes from the Greek word meaning “revelation from above”. Therefore, it could mean revelation or manifestation of God.

In the manifestation of God, what do the magi or wise men manifest to God’s love is what we shall reflect. If God’s manifestation of love to the world is God himself in a little manger, what are the manifestations of Magi’s or wise men’s love for God. How can we manifest our love for God for God’s manifesto in and through the feast of Epiphany? So based on the liturgy of the word, I would like to share with you three points of reflection;

1. Wise men had a purpose:

Every life journey of a person on earth has a purpose. Because, a purposeless life is a meaningless life or a life living in mere dreams or life swaying in the air without a focus and firm ground to reach the destination of life.

The Gospel reading of the day very clearly points us that the wise men had a purpose of their arrival to see the new born King and child Jesus. It is to worship Child Jesus. Therefore, it is not a mere veneration or homage but to worship that is due to the Son of God and the king of the universe.

We all know that the Magi travelled from distant places to see baby Jesus, of whom in the past prophecies had been told many times. Unlike the native shepherds to whom the good news was announced about the birth of Jesus, the Magi were not of the native places where Jesus was born. They had come all the way from different places to worship Jesus, the son of God and the King of the universe. The magi or wise men are not ordinary folks like shepherds but they were educated and knew the signs of times or able to study based on the appearance about the stars in the sky. That’s why the wise men say, “We saw his star when it arose and have come to worship him.”

The journey of the wise men point out that they had deep desire to see Jesus, acknowledge him as Son of God and the King of the universe. That’s why Pope Francis would say that the Catholic Church could learn something from the Magi as well, “this deep desire and zeal that should animate our journey of life and faith.”

But what could have been the reason for wise men to meet King Herod. Probably, because they presumed that the newborn king would be a son of Herod, king of the Jews or probably because King Herod was in power and authority at that time. However, the wise men had only one focus in mind that they have to see and worship Jesus the Son of God and the king of the universe.

Perhaps, they might have had lots of hurdles in their journey to see Jesus.  But they overlooked and felt that their hearts and minds would never be satisfied, unless they see Jesus and worship him and give the due worship that belonged to the Son of God.

Surprisingly, we see here that King Herod was not happy about their coming to see Jesus and their purpose too. Because, as a King of the place, King Herod wanted others to worship him, honor or pay homage to him. We see the sense of jealousy creeping in for power and honor, selfishness and arrogance. Consequently, the king orders to kill all the male child.

Today most of us do not have a proper focus or clear vision about life’s journey. We like to like live life at random, a life in the air swaying in the east or west, north or south without any particular point to move or reach. Like the wise men we need to have a focus in the journey of life and that focus is to worship the Lord only. Our deep desire and inclination for the world and worldly affairs make us worship the world, worldly things or affairs. Sometimes, we even tend to worship other gods or other religions, failing to have faith in Jesus. Therefore, our faith in Jesus is twisted and taken for granted.

Today most of us have hunger for power and honor, selfishness and arrogance. This vicious circle and divisive mentality cripples us to see life in a broader perspective and enjoy the privileges of life that God gives. Like wise men, they were not worried about their ego, coming all the way from distant lands, with different ethnic backgrounds; they had no power play among themselves as who would see Jesus first or who would give the gifts first or best. But they had a right understanding of life and a perfect focus to see the Lord and worship Jesus.

Today we also need to be like wise men giving up our ego, pride, arrogance; giving up hunger for power and honor and making ourselves as one family of God to worship Jesus, the King and Lord of the universe.  

2. Wise men believed in the Star:

We all know the importance of a Star during Christmas season. We make hand-made stars or buy from a shop, place it at the house tops to begin the mood of preparing for the celebration of Christmas. It is indeed a heart-warming experience for each one of us. The star that appears in the sky shines, we are able to see. That should be our life too shining like a star and making others to see the light in us.  The sparkling star in us symbolizes Jesus as the light or the shining star over the roof or house symbolize Jesus the light or the presence of God.  

That’s what we hear in the first reading from prophet Isaiah, “arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen among you.” Yes this light indicates Jesus, the star of our lives. We hear again in the first reading that “the Lord will rise upon you and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your rising.”

We also see in the gospel of the day that the wise men followed a star. I personally feel that star is God or the spirit of God or instrument of God. Because, we hear the wise men say, “we have seen his star.’ ‘The star that led the wise men rested over the place where child Jesus was.’ Yes, they believed that star was a God-given gift to take them where the newly born child Jesus was. They trusted that God was leading them to something far greater than they could know.

I am sure this is one of the most inspiring examples from the wise men we could learn as to how we Christians should live our lives. Believing and confiding in God that he knows what is best for us; his plans are always perfect although at times there is a tendency in us to feel how unattainable or unreachable might seem our destination or journey be. Just as wise men believed in the star and could see Jesus, so also we need to believe in God and see or experience the best and beautiful side of life.

Let us remember as well, just as the light house serves to warn mariners of dangerous shallows and perilous rocky coasts, and they help guide vessels safely into and out of harbors, likewise, Jesus the star is like light of God shining and guiding or manifesting his light for our life to be better. Just as light house is viewed as symbol of hope and security, so also we need to find hope and security in Jesus, the Star of life.

As Pope Francis says, just as the wise men were guided by a shining star, Christians can rest assured that the light of Christ will guide them to a happy and meaningful life. Yes, charged from the light of Christ, as beacons of light, we need to provide guidance for safe passage to people who sail ashore or caught up by waves of doubt and temptations in life.  These sorts of acts and attitudes will help each one of us to live our lives satisfactorily and happily. 

3. Wise men brought gifts to Jesus:

Gifts are usual during the season of Christmas and very specially on Christmas day. We exchange gifts with one another to express and share our happiness. Gifts as such can be like monetary gifts, material gifts, edibles etc. something similar we find in the gospel reading, wherein, the wise men bring three different gifts to baby Jesus, signifying the life of Jesus and his identity. The three gifts are clearly pointed out in Matthew’s Gospel as gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

All the three gifts are usual offering and gifts given to a king. Their presentation of gift is not something a show off wealth that the wise men had but rather it has a spiritual significance and meaning to the gifts presented to Jesus. Each gift tells us the identity of Jesus.

Gold is offered as a gift symbolizing Jesus’ kingship on earth. We have in the book of Daniel 7: 13-14, which speaks of Daniel’s vision about the Son of Man, “he received dominion, splendor and kingship. All nations, peoples and tongues will serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion and his kingship shall not be destroyed,” So Jesus’ kingship over the entire universe is represented by the gift of Gold that was offered by wise men to Jesus. So Jesus transcends all earthly rulers and powers as King of the Universe.

Frankincense is offered as a gift symbolizing Jesus as the son of God. In the book of Leviticus 2:2, we find that frankincense was burned in the temple as an offering to God to please God. So the wise men by offering frankincense indicate that Jesus is not an ordinary human person like us although he was born in human form and nature like us rather Jesus is the Son of God.

Myrrh is offered as a gift used as embalming oil symbolizing the death of Jesus that he was to undergo in the future. We see in the Gospel of John 19:38-40, where Nicodemus brought a jar of myrrh with aloes, took the body of Jesus, wrapped in linen cloths with the spices, following the burial custom of the Jews. So the wise men by offering the gift of myrrh indicate to us the death of Jesus. Jesus was born so that we might have salvation and Jesus died so that we inherit eternal life.

Yes, the symbolic gifts given by Wise men to Jesus expect a solid response from us. The wise men were so happy to see Jesus, present the gifts that they had brought for Jesus all the way from distant lands. Today what gifts shall we give to Jesus? Certainly I don’t think that Jesus would expect us to give him costliest gifts possible but he expects us to live simply, humbly and generously.

Just as the second reading from St.  Paul’s letter to Ephesians speak of the wondrous mystery that was made known that  gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body and partakers of the promise in Jesus Christ, so also we need to make known the mystery of God to one another that Jesus is for all. He was born for all of us, died for all of us and he will redeem all of us. So we need to get rid of unnecessary divisions and turmoil based on our belief and faith practices.

Today God expects us only one gift that is the gift of self in purity of mind, body, heart and soul. Our love for one another, simple but sincere ways of living, an attitude of forgiveness, a simple  gesture of smile that makes others happy and above all to help one another in whatever ways and means we can. I am sure this selfless service to others and the purity of oneself would be the most important and apt gifts that we can give to Jesus. May God bless us in our efforts to be a gift to one another.

RESPOND:

Do we have a right focus or purpose and firm faith in the journey of life that God has bestowed on us?

Do we believe in God, the ways and means he uses to guide us towards the light that shines for all to see the brighter side of life?

Can we give gifts to God the gift of self in purity and sincerity, in selfless service and dedication to one another?

Let us journey with a purpose to Worship God, believe in Jesus the ever-shining Star and offer ourselves as gifts by the way of life that we live in purity and  selfless service to one another. Amen.

Happy Feast of Epiphany. God bless us all. Live Jesus!

Fr. Ramesh George MSFS