“Epiphany” means to manifest or to reveal. The feast of the Epiphany is one of the major liturgical celebrations of the Church. It celebrates the revelation of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, through the visit of the magi about two years after his birth. The magi were Gentiles from the East who had come to Jerusalem looking for the newborn king of the Jews. The magi are usually thought of as consisting of three men because there were three gifts. They traveled a great distance across desert terrain, throughthe heat of the day and cold of the night, guided only by a star at its rising, which they believed was a sign that the king of the Jews had been born.
Why did the magi undertake such a long and arduous journey? Why did they trust a star to lead them to their quest? Why would they want to give homage to a baby who would be a future king of a people not their own?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (27) offers an answer: “The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for.” By embarking on the journey, the magi were unknowingly acting on their heart’s desire for God, who himself desired to be found.
The story of the magi’s visit illustrates two different responses to the revelation of the Messiah: outright rejection by King Herod and the religious establishment, and full-hearted acceptance by the magi.
Herod was “greatly troubled” by the news of the birth of the Messiah, “and all of Jerusalem with him” – meaning the religious establishment. Why? They viewed the newborn baby as a threat to their respective power and authority. The chief priests and scribes quoted Scripture to inform Herod that the Messiah will come from Bethlehem. Herod then secretly summoned the magi and directed them to search for the child in Bethlehem. Plotting murder, Herod asked the magi to return to him after they
find the child on the pretext that he too would like to visit and give homage.
The chief priests and scribes showed no interest in finding the newborn Messiah prophesied in Scripture- a prophecy they were familiar with, contained in the sacred book. If they had listened to their hearts and joined in the search, they would have seen the star that the magi had been following pointed the way to the house where the child and his mother were staying.
Entering the house and seeing the child Jesus with Mary, his mother, the magi prostrated themselves and gave homage to him. They recognized that they had come before the presence of someone greater than they could ever be, even though still a child. Their gifts signified the child’s great stature: gold for kingship; frankincense for divinity; and myrrh for humanity, particularly in his passion and death to save mankind from sin. Having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi “departed for their country by another way.” The magi obeyed God’s message in a dream rather than Herod’s command.
What should our response be to the good news of the feast of the Epiphany? Perhaps a prayerful reflection of the feast’s symbols - the star, the journey, the gifts, another way- may help in discerning our response.
Like the magi who were attentive to signs that could lead them to their quest, let us be attentive to the signs of Jesus’ presence, who promised to be with us forever. The first reading from Isaiah says, “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.” The Lord’s glory is the invisible “star” that shines upon us, illuminating and directing our hearts and minds to God who is within us. Discover the Gift we received in Baptism who dwells in our hearts. Daily prayer attunes and connects us to Him. Let us silence our hearts and listen to God who constantly speaks of His love and will
for us. Let us heed His will for us, which is always for our good. The Eucharist unites us to Jesus, who alone can satisfy our heart’s deepest hunger for God. Like the child Jesus awaiting the visit of the magi, the Lord awaits us in the Eucharist. Let us make that journey from home to Church to worship and to commune with the Lord at Mass. Pray that the Lord will lift the darkness that now covers the earth, that His glory may appear over us. Pray for the grace of transformation, that we may become like Christ whom we receive in communion. Pray that we may be like Him in offering His gifts, His everything for the praise and glory of God. Pray that He equips us with spiritual gifts to persevere in “another way” -
life in His Holy Spirit.
Come, let us adore Jesus in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass!