January 03, 2021, Solemnity of The Epiphany of the Lord; Year (B)

 

Readings: Is. 60:1-6; Eph. 3:2-3, 5-6; Mt. 2:1-12 

Wise Men also Seek Jesus

1.     Today is the solemnity of the Epiphany, the manifestation or revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. At Christmas, Christ was revealed to the Jews but now he is revealed to all the nations. At his Baptism a voice came from the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Mt. 3:17). We are to listen to the voice of Jesus, the Savior of the world. This is the feast of the gentiles, represented by the magi, the three wise men, astrologers, who journeyed from the east and followed the star to the presence of Jesus. Yes, wise men still seek Jesus.

2.     In the first reading, we read about the return of the children of Israel from captivity in Babylon after 50 years. Their temple was destroyed, their city was in shambles and their morale was low. The task of rebuilding was daunting, but they had to keep on with the task at hand. To encourage them, the prophet assured them that Jerusalem will again be a great city. He saw Jerusalem becoming the light for all the world. “Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: Your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. For riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah. All from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the Lord.” (Is. 60:4-6). This prophecy finds its fulfillment in the birth of Christ and the coming of the magi as we read in today’s Gospel. This goes to buttress the point made by St. Paul, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendant, heirs according to the promise.” (Gal. 3:28-29).

3.     The magi set out on a long journey to see the new-born king of Israel. They came from the east with the star as their compass and gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the new-born king. They did not know where they were going but trusted that the Star would lead them on to the king. They were not naïve to think that it was an easy trip. They were aware of the difficulty of the journey, but their minds were made, and the search continued. Like the wise men we must make our own journey to the unknown with the hope of discovering who we are. Knowing where we are coming from will help us to know where we are and, hopefully, where we are going. We must know why the journey must be made, in order to discover the person or thing holding or preventing us from living a fulfilled and peaceful life? If we do not let go of the past, we will not venture out on the path of self-discovery. The journey may be hard, difficult and at times treacherous, but we must not give up. Trust the process and follow your star. Going forward will be difficult, if not impossible, if we keep looking back on the memories of yesteryears. What happened in the past must be left where it belongs, the past, if we must find the treasure we are searching for in the future.

4.     Sometimes people, situations, circumstances or self may prevent us from setting out on the journey of self-discovery, peace and tranquility. The Jews saw themselves as the chosen people of God. They believed they had a monopoly on salvation. The magi were foreigners, the gentiles, the outsiders and those who did not belong, the rest of mankind called by God to know him through Jesus. To us also the Lord Jesus was sent as our redeemer. Christ demonstrated in the Scriptures that he came for the least, the last and the lost, in his teachings. He cured the servant of a Roman centurion who was a pagan and marveled at his faith. (Mt. 8:5-13). He reminded them, “Many will come from the east and the west and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven, but the children of the kingdom will be driven out into the outer darkness.” (Mt. 8:11-12). He cured the daughter of a Canaanite woman after he challenged her faith (Mt. 15:21-28). Jesus our king reminded us, “Everything that the Father gives to me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me.” (Jn. 6:37).

5.     Today’s feast teaches us that we must be open and accepting of everyone. We should be like Christ whose concern is our salvation. “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.” (Jn. 6:40). The magi brought gifts to Jesus, gold for his kingship, frankincense for his royal priesthood and myrrh for his death and burial. What gift do we bring to our king? We should give him ourselves, our time, talent and treasure. He will accept whatever we give him from our hearts. May we see everyone as we are seen by God and may our celebration today bring us closer to the joys of heaven as we begin this new year. Amen.

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP