Epiphany of the Lord (B)

Epiphany of the Lord (B) [Mt 2:1-12]

07.01.2024

The Visit of the Wise Men from the East

Readings: (1) Is 60:1-6 (2) Eph 3:2-3.5-6

1.  Theme in brief

Seeking and finding the Lord

2,   Focus Statement

Christian life is an on-going process of searching for and finding the Lord under divine guidance, and after finding him offering ourselves to him.

3.  Explanation of the text

Today’s gospel begins by stating that in the time of king Herod another King of the Jews was born. At that time “wise men from the East” (2:1), popularly and traditionally known to us as “three kings”, went in search of the newborn King of the Jews, guided by a star (2:1-2). Actually, the given gospel text does not call them ‘kings,’ but wise men or magi (astrologers). Their purpose of undertaking this strenuous ‘search’ was to pay the new born King of the Jews their “homage” (2:2).

When Herod heard that the wise men had come to Jerusalem looking for the newborn King, he was shaken and frightened (2:3). He suspected a dangerous plot against him by a rival king. Hence he asked the wise men to search diligently for the child and report to him that child’s whereabouts, so that he could kill him, and not ‘adore’ him, as he cunningly said (2:8).

The magi who came from the East represent the gentile world. Their searching and finding Jesus implies that he is born not only for the chosen people (Jews), but for all. As he is the universal Saviour, now the gentiles also can search for him in faith and find him. The rising star which these astrologers (wise men) observed (2:2) can mean two things: (1) The newborn King of the Jews (Jesus) is the ‘Star’ that has risen, as it is written in the Book of Isaiah, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Is 9:2), or (2) the light of divine guidance or revelation that led or guided them to the Divine Child.

Three contrasting issues clearly stand out in this text: (1) fear of the worldly ruler (Herod) that he may lose his power to a rival king; (2) refusal of the religious leaders (chief priests and scribes) of Israel to accept the Messiah though they had the Scriptures with them; and (3) the joyous welcome and adoration given by the gentile representatives who recognise his light. Here Matthew contrasts the rejection of Jesus by the chosen people with the faith or fidelity of the gentile wise men. He tells us three times emphatically the only intention of the wise men to undertake such a long journey was to pay him their ‘homage’ (2:2, 8, 11), which implies an act of prostration before him or adoration.

The gentile wise men were not in possession of divine revelation of the Scriptures, as the Jews were. Hence, Matthew wants to tell his readers that they received divine revelation through natural science (that is, astrology that studies the movements of the stars). But they had to confirm it through the Scriptures. Hence, the star, instead of leading them directly to Bethlehem made a detour via Jerusalem. The pundits of Jerusalem confirmed through their Scriptures that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem (2:4-5). What a contrast: those who were in possession of the Scriptures and were specially chosen by God to receive the Messiah, refused to believe in him or worship him; but the gentile representatives who were not privileged to be chosen by God became models of simple faith, adoration and joy, or as the text says “they were overwhelmed with joy” (2:10).

The wise men opened their treasure chests and offered Jesus the gifts of gold (owned mostly by kings) to symbolise that he was the spiritual King; frankincense (or incense used by priests during worship) to symbolize that he was the High Priest or Mediator between God and men, and myrrh (a perfume used to anoint corpses) to indicate that he was born to die for his people.

4.  Application to life

Life is a search. All humans search for happiness. They want to be relieved from all obstacles to happiness such as pain of loneliness, frustration, despair, failure and harsh realities of life. Some seek temporary or momentary relief from these problems by taking drugs, alcoholic drinks and indulging in sexual pleasures. But where is lasting happiness? We need to gain access to the reservoir or the source of true happiness. A Christian disciple believes that Jesus is this source. Therefore, he/she believes that lasting happiness can be found by seeking Jesus and finding him, or by seeking after his values such as truth, peace, salvation…. Hence, Christian life is an on-going process of searching for and finding Jesus who continually takes birth today in newer and newer forms/ ways in our world or life-situations.

This continual birth of Christ is also called his ‘Epiphany’ (manifestation), that is, revelation of his light. He reveals (manifests) himself to us in various ways and invites us to respond to his love like the wise men. The rising star which the wise men observed symbolises three different things: first, in faith we believe that Jesus himself is the greatest Star or light that has risen amidst the darkness of this world, as prophet Isaiah states (Is 9:2). Therefore, like the magi we have to always ask in our imagination as well as in all situations, “Where is the newborn King? Where and how can I find him and experience true peace and happiness which come from him?” Like the pundits of Jerusalem we sometimes refuse to accept the light of Christ and prefer to remain in darkness of sin or ungodly ways.

Secondly, in our search for the greatest Star (Lord Jesus), there are other ‘stars’ that guide or lead us in this pursuit. These ‘stars’ of divine guidance come to us in various ways – through the grace of God, an enlightenment we receive from God or his Spirit, a passage of Scripture by which God himself speaks to us, guidance of our parents/ teachers/ counsellors/ friends, or through prayer and sacraments. Strangely, these ‘stars’ could be even the poor people with whom Jesus identifies himself (cf. Mt 25:35-40), or various events of our personal and world history through which the Lord manifests himself to us. These ‘stars’ become the media through which we can search for and find the Lord.

Let us consider some of the problems of the world through which God speaks to us: global warming and climate change tell us that the wholoe of human race is ujnder threat due to enviromental degradatiom, and we must care for the Mother Earth and instead of overexploiting her resources we must preserve/conserve them; international terrorism and the prevailing culture of violence in the world tell us that our society must own up its responsibility for this problem because it is directly or indirectly creates or  produces terrorists and criminals by committing acts of injustice/ exploitation/ oppression against such people or against their community; the existence of alocholics and other addicts or substance abusers tell us that their addiction does not come in bottles or drug packets, but is often a result of the emotional wounds inflicted on them and damaged personalities created in them by their families and society; civil wars and riots tell us that the governments and administration should examine whether they are the result of their wrong/selfish policies or dereliction of their duties; etc.

Our discovery of the Lord should lead us to a faith-response like the wise men – of wonder, joy, adoration and offering of ourselves (or whatever we have) to him. Today’s text invites us to adore him as the King of our hearts (symbolised by gold offered by the magi), as the High Priest who mediates between God and us (symbolised by frankincense offered by them), and as the Sacrificial Victim who is born in order to offer his life in sacrificial death for us (symbolised by myrrh). Along with these gifts we offer our whole life in an act of total surrender. We pay our homage to him as the only Ruler of our lives, as the High Priest who continually intercedes for us with the Father and as the One who enables us to join our daily sacrifices with his supreme sacrifice on the cross.

Thirdly, since Jesus is the universal Saviour, we have to become like stars to lead others to him. Today the magi represent all the people of other faiths. We are called to be both receptors and reflectors of Christ’s light. We become receptors when we receive divine enlightenment through prayer and meditation on the Word of God, and reflectors when we in turn become shining lights to others through our Christian witness. The light of Christ shines before those who do not know him through our life and witness. Our conduct either shines before them like a star or misleads them. Having received the light of faith, if we do not shed that light before those who do not have it, or if we give counter-witness (bad example), we become like the pundits of Jerusalem. Like them we have the Scriptures but are not led by its light.

Therefore, Epiphany is a great missionary feast, which invites us to share our faith with others in word and deeds (which give witness to Christ). Then we too become “a light of revelation to the gentiles” (Lk 2:32), as Christ himself was. Suppose, the personal and striking witness given by Pope Francis about simplicity among the Church leaders and her option for the poor, is not imitated by the rest of the Church and her leaders, how can the world experience a new ‘epiphany’ of the Lord?

But beware! There are ‘Herods’ (forces and groups) even today in various parts of the world, who are opposed to Christ’s values and plot to destroy them by threatening and intimidating those who stand for those values. For example, the activities of missionaries/ social activists/ charitable and voluntary agencies doing social service among the underprivileged people in the fields of education, social justice and human rights, pose a threat to those who want to exploit or subjugate them. There are people or groups with vested interests who conspire against service of the Church to the poor, the underprivileged and the marginalized as Herod did. They fear that they may lose their power or hold over the poor and downtrodden people if they are educated or become aware of theirt rights. There is a temptation haunting missionaries and social activists whether to withdraw their services to the poor out of fear of these modrn ‘Herods’.. Amidst this fear there is a question whether to remain faithful witnesses of Christ and become lights of revelation of his love, or allow the poor and the marginalized to remain in darkness. If we allow it how can the Scriptures come true: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Is 9:2)? Most probably they will continue to remain in darkness. 

5.  Response to God's Word

We praise God for having revealed his Son to us and pray to him that we may manifest him to those who do not know him. Do we give witness to Christ’s values among people of other faiths in our neighbourhood and workplaces by our conduct, or give them bad example? Do we consider that searching for Christ or looking for him in prayer, sacraments, Scriptures and all situations or events is an essential aspect of Christian faith? If so, how committed are we to these faith-practices? Are we like Herod pretending to pay homage to Christ in the church or in traditional prayers, but are involved in killing/opposing/negating his values?

6.  A prayer

Lord Jesus, you are the rising Star that dispels our darkness. We adore you as the King of our hearts and offer our lives to your guiding light. Grant that we may never tire of seeking you in all situations and events. Grant that our search for you result in finding you or recognising your presence everywhere. We repent for the times we gave bad example to those who do not know you by negating your gospel-values. Like the wise men, who took a different route to return home, give us the grace and enlightenment to take a new direction in our lives so that we become better witnesses of your love.