TEXT: The Holy Gospel According to Matthew 2:1-12

The appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ -- The Epiphany

This blessed day, the Epiphany, is a term that comes directly from the Greek word, "epiphaino," meaning to "shine upon," or, "become visible."

How wonderful it is to know that our God has chosen to become visible to us.

God has chosen to shine upon us in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ has appeared.

Immanuel has shone upon our lives and places to make himself known to us in our sinfulness and low estate.  God has reached down and come to touch us at the places of our need.

God appears to us now in the Holy Eucharist.

Praise be to God.

1 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod,  behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem,
2 saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage."

Wise men still seek Jesus.  The wicked still refuse to do so.

The Lord is Salvation was born in the House of Bread. . . Jesus born in Bethlehem !

Wise men came from the east and arrived in Jerusalem.  There were probably many more than three, though we picture them as three, because of the three gifts spoken of by the Gospel.  Still, these were wise men (magi) who looked for the great sign of the King of Israel.  Interestingly, the magi were  probably aware of the prophecies of Balaam contained in the fourth Book of Moses, Numbers 22-24, which spoke of the favor of God upon the Hebrews.  (See specifically the passage, the "star shall advance from Jacob," Numbers 24:17)

Yet, there was more they were familiar with in the Old Testament.

It is so important for us all to be familiar with the Holy Scriptures and what they say about the Epiphany of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Jesus is Immanuel -- God with us !

Herod was not interested in a new born king of the Jews?  He was loyal to Roman authority.  Such is the state of affairs throughout the world even today.  National leaders are loyal not to God, but, only to their own interests.  Sadly, their interests are many times opposed to the interests of God for the good of all people.

They, with Herod, are troubled at hearing of the King we love -- King Jesus.

3 When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
5 They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet:
6 'And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

These were the words of the "prophet" that spoke through the passages found in -- Micah 5:1 and II Samuel 5:2.  God speaks with one Voice through his prophets.  It has always been the will of God that his kings be righteous "mirrors" of his graces and justice.

It has always been God’s will that we all, yes, all of us, as a "kingdom of priests," (whether we have been ordained sacramentally by Holy Orders or as laypersons who also have a "priestly" function in Jesus), live as "mirrors" of grace and justice before our God by being the living testimonies we ought to be in Christ !

We ought to be more than mirrors -- we ought to be willing conduits of grace and justice in a world that needs grace and justice from God !

We should watch and see what Jesus did in the world and follow him.  Mary, show us your Son.

The true Shepherd of Israel was born in a stable in Bethelem, not within the palaces of a world that has forgotten God and lives by its own rules and regulations.  Jesus was born in a humble place to a humble maid, the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Yet, God’s Light shines upon us all as the true Way of God.

Yes, Mercy and Grace is born to her who is full of grace, greatly favored of God !

Out of a little town -- the greatest Man who ever was born of woman would become the Shepherd of Israel.  The True Shepherd has appeared in our midst !

Yet, there are still those who would seek to kill him, like Herod.

7 Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance.
8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage."

Here, Herod set the stage for a murderous rampage against innocents -- little children.  How different Jesus is, when we see the world’s policies.  There are many like Herod today who speak words of homage toward humanity and the rights of people, but, who murderously deprive the many multitudes of  innocents of their right to even be born.

9 After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
10 They were overjoyed at seeing the star,
11  and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage.  Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

The travel was long and hard in those days.  Yet, these wise men were men of faith who came from the east to seek a promised One.  They believed God, but, many who should have believed did not.  What a testimony to the times that the leaders of the ancient world were so ignorant of the Truth of Jesus.  The Incarnation of Jesus was so "unexpected" by them, but, there were those who lived in the Gentile world (like these magi) that were expecting a King.

One wonders at the amazing inconsistency between those who should have known and the ones, like Mary, Simeon, Anna, the magi, the poor shepherds, the simple people of the land, that did know God and awaited the blessed Promise of the Lord.

"Faith is the proof of what cannot be seen.  What is seen gives knowledge, not faith."  (Augustine of Hippo).  Thus it was with the wise men.  To their faith, they sought knowledge from God in the appearance of Jesus in the house.

The Psalm today said -- "Lord, every nation on earth will adore you."  The wise men (magi) were a sign of the truth of that psalm.

So, the magi traveled to Bethlehem and gave the Holy Child, his Mother, and, Joseph -- gifts of precious Gold, frankincense and myrrh, (Cf. Isaiah 60:1-6).  These were costly gifts that showed the profound depth of the respect these men of faith had for Jesus and the Holy Family !

Their faith was followed by their works.

Teresa of Avila said, "If we never look at him or think of what we owe him and of the death which he suffered for our sakes, I do not see how we can get to know him or do good works in his service.  For what can be the value of faith without works, or works which are not united with the merit of our Lord Jesus Christ?  And what but such thoughts can arouse us to love this Lord?"

Such was the commitment of these magi.

Yet, there is an important closing thought.

12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

It is wise, very wise, to listen to the Voice of the Lord always, and avoid evil, as we come away from the close encounters we have with Jesus.  As we go back to our own "countries" with the Light of the Gospel shining in our hearts and lives, we are warned with the magi to forsake the  "Herods" of the world, who would seek to kill the Christ Child and Holy Family we hold so dearly within our hearts.

(And, yes, it is also Jesus who takes these gifts we often are allowed, as the magi did, to give him and he multiplies these back toward us many times over.  Perhaps, their lives were saved by going back another direction.  Perhaps, our lives of faith are saved as well?)

Hardships come with encounters with those who seek to kill our faith in Jesus within our hearts.

Yet, we are called to forsake evil, and like the magi, go back another way, the Way of Christ, the Way.   (Cf. John 14:6)

Clare of Assisi said, "Gladly endure whatever goes against you and do not let good fortune lift you up: for these things destroy faith."



Deus et Sanctissima.