“SEEDS OF LIFE”
Sunday, 8th January 2017.
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
Is 60: 1-6;
Ps 72: 1-2, 7-8, 10-13;
Eph 3: 2-3, 5-6;
Mt 2: 1-12.
EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW UNTO HIM (PHIL 2:10)!
“Epiphany” comes from the Greek word “epiphaneia” which means manifestation. The Church celebrates the Feast of Epiphany in manifestation of our lord Jesus Christ to the whole world. Epiphany brings to our mind the image of the three Magi or Kings who visited baby Jesus from foreign and Non-Jewish nations (Persia). They were astrologers, who through the Star were led together to reveal to all that Jesus came for all people and all are called to adore Him.
The Gospel of Matthew, primarily written for the Jewish Christian community is the only Gospel to portray the account of the three Magi. St. Matthew a staunch Jew, brings out the message that Jesus was born for all, for the Jews and Non-Jews. He highlights the important role played by gentiles at the birth event of Jesus Christ. It was not the Pharisees and scribes or a Jewish king or scholars to whom Jesus was manifested but rather to the Non-Jews.
In the first reading, Isaiah prophesied that Sheba would come bearing gold, incense and singing the praise of the lord; and that nations shall come to light. This prophesy is fulfilled in the visitation of the Magi’s. In the second reading, Paul discloses the secret that God calls to His glory, all people including the pagans making them heirs of his kingdom. He says “it has now been revealed that pagans share the same inheritance”. Jesus was not born for Jews only but he was born for all the nations, and every knee shall bow unto him.
The Journey of Magi’s is a journey from Known to the Unknown, from darkness to light, from knowledge to divine wisdom. God reveals himself in many and varied ways, the Magi’s received Gods revelation through their gift of interpreting the stars. God used what they were familiar with to call them to adore the Christ. He used a star. When they saw this new and unique star over Bethlehem they realized that something special was happening. So the first lesson we take from this for our own lives is that God will use what is familiar to us to call us to Himself. Look for the “star” that God is using to call you. It’s closer than you may think. Every sign or event that happens in our life has meaning and message to us. Whether it be a sad or happy moment, the purpose of each event is to come back to the creator or savior. It is not enough to just see the sign, we have to work to reach the destination where the sign leads us. Following the sign is not always easy, the magi’s left their own home town, their own security in order to follow the Star, and their faith was similar to that of Abraham who left his home town to follow the command of God.
The Magi knew that the star transcended their human knowledge. They were dogged in their pursuit to follow it. Sometimes we are unable to transcend ourselves, we limit ourselves based on our experience and knowledge. But here is a lesson for us to focus on the groans of the Holy Spirit rather than limited by our human knowledge. Our knowledge, our interpretation sometimes can mislead us even when we are at God’s work. Herod, the Pharisees and Scribes also saw the star, but did not see anything valuable, they were blind to God’s sign.
The Magi fell prostrate before the Christ Child. They laid their lives down before Him in complete surrender and adoration. They set a perfect example for us. If these astrologers from a foreign land could come and adore Christ in such a profound way, we must do the same. Adore Him with a complete surrender of your life.
The Magi then brought frankincense, and myrrh. These three gifts, presented to our Lord, show that they acknowledged this Child as the Divine King who would die to save us from sin. Gold is for a King, frankincense is a burnt offering to God, and myrrh is used for one who would die. Thus, their adoration is grounded in the truths of who this Child is. If we are to adore Christ properly, we must also honor Him in this threefold way.
After encountering the Messiah, they were told by the angel not to go back to their homes through same route but take a different one. Symbolically we too, after encountering Jesus in our life, are being told to transform our lives. Our encounter will lead us to a U turn. The other way is Jesus himself, for He is the Way, the Truth and the life.
Today, reflecting on the Word of God, we see like the Magi, a sign to follow the call and sign of God. We are called to discover God, offer our whole selves to Him. We are called from our foreign and sinful choices, to seek out our Messiah. And on discovering Him, to lie prostrate before Him in complete and humble adoration and submission. Let us adore the Lord who presents Himself to us at the Eucharistic Table. May all our inhibitions and obstacles to adore Him be overcome by faith. Like St. Thomas Aquinas, may Faith compensate where our intellects fail to understand.
Prayer: Lord, I love You and adore You. I lay my life before You and surrender all. You are my Divine King and Savior. My life is Yours. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.