EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

Is. 60:1-6,: Eph.3: 2-6,Gosple: Mt. 2: 1-12

Little Amy was looking through the family album and found a picture of a man sitting behind a cow. All that was visible was the man’s legs and feet. She took the picture to a photo shop and told the clerk, "This is the only picture of my grandfather that I have. So please remove the cow so I can see what he looked like." In today’s first reading, we are given the portion of the vision of Isaiah which presents the God of Israel as the Light Who removes darkness and clouds from the earth. Matthew, writing to his Jewish-Christian community, describes how the Magi as foretold by the prophet Isaiah, came to Jerusalem with their gifts, following a special star.
The word ‘magi’ is translated here as “wise men.” ‘Magus’ meant different things: a magus was a member of the Persian priestly caste; or one who possessed occult knowledge and power (this is the origin of our word ‘magic’). Tradition calls them “kings” – judging, probably, by the wealth of the gifts they brought.
According to the sixth century Italian tradition there were three Magi - Casper, Balthazar, and Melchior. It is based on the fact that three gifts are mentioned in Matthew’s gospel. The Orthodox Church holds that the Magi were twelve kings, corresponding in number to the twelve tribes of Israel. As for the star, commentary on the Torah by Jewish rabbis had suggested that a star appeared in the sky at the births of Abraham, Isaac and Moses. Likewise, in the Book of Numbers, the prophet Balaam spoke of "a star that shall come out of Jacob." Stars, then, were believed to be signs from God, announcing important events. Thus, the brightness of the light to which kings were drawn became the star in Matthew. Gold, frankincense and myrrh may be thought of as prophesying Jesus’ future. Gold was a gift for kings; frankincense (an ancient air purifier and perfume) was offered to God in Temple worship (Ex. 30:37); and myrrh (an oriental remedy for intestinal worms in infants) was used by the High Priest, both as an anointing oil (Ex. 30:23), and to prepare bodies for burial. These gifts were not only expensive but portable. Perhaps Joseph sold the gifts to finance the Holy Family’s trip to Egypt. The gifts may well have been God’s way of providing for the journey that lay ahead.
Herod was one of history’s greatest tyrants: he spared no one, not even his own family; to keep his grip on power he murdered his wife, three of his sons, his brother-in-law, an uncle, and his mother-in-law. He built the temple and as a Jew he kept the Jewish laws of purity, abstained from pork. And this made a Roman Emperor jokingly comment- I would rather be Herod’s pig than his son. His pig would be safe, that is what he meant. In fact, his whole life was a series of violent, horrible crimes. His tyrannical fear of losing control eventually made him universally hated, even by his closest collaborators. As he lay dying, he ordered a thousand of his best servants and ministers to be led into a stadium and slaughtered, because he wanted to be sure there was mourning and sadness in his kingdom upon his death.
He had been appointed “King of the Jews” by the Roman Senate in 40 BC and he had already reigned for over thirty years. He was in no mind to hear of a new king, especially one who was no son of his. “He was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him.” He was frightened to hear of a rival, and the people were frightened because they knew what he was capable of. But the chief priests and the scribes – the religious authorities of the day – were able to give him directions in locating this rival. They knew in detail about the expected arrival of “the anointed one.” But not any of the authorities went with Magi to search for the Child; it was the pagan astrologers who sought and found him.
Leaving Jerusalem the Magi found and followed their star and it led them to where the child was. They came to a cave or a stable where they found a poor family, with animals and perhaps a few shepherds. All the appearances would have told them they had made a ridiculous mistake, yet “falling to their knees, they did him homage.” Their reaction was different from Herod's: he was troubled, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
The feast of Epiphany invites us to see ourselves as images of the Magi, a people on a journey to Christ. The Magi offered gold, in recognition of Jesus as the king of the Jews; frankincense, in acknowledgment that He was God, and myrrh as a symbol of His human nature. Let us offer God our very selves, promising Him that we will use His blessings to do good to our fellow men. Herod and the Jewish leaders did not look for him or offer him anything because they lacked humility. Let’s be people of humble offering.
Just as the Magi chose another route to return to their homes, let us choose a better way of life, abstaining from proud and impure thoughts, evil habits and selfish behavior.
Let us become the Star, leading others to Jesus, as the star led the Magi to Him. We can remove or lessen the darkness of the evil around us by being, if not like stars, at least like candles, radiating Jesus’ love by selfless service, unconditional forgiveness and compassionate care. Like the Magi offering their gifts, we offer what we have, from the heart, in response to what that Child has given to us - himself.
It is the start of the New Year and as usual, we have our own expectations, resolutions, and plans for the year. We earnestly beg the Lord that such desires will be fulfilled. Yet, we are to prepare ourselves for the various ways and manifestations of the Lord. The Lord will indeed come up with many surprises. Yet, it will depend on our attitudes whether we will be able to see such events in the light of faith. For the Magi, there was a star that served as their guide towards meeting the much awaited Messiah. We just have to open our minds and hearts for these surprises that will surely indicate the presence of Jesus in our lives. Let’s ask the Lord to help us recognize the star and open our minds and hearts for the surprises.