I’m not sure how many of you here in church this morning are Trekies? I myself am more of a Star Wars guy. But to those of you who are devoted fans of Captain Kirk, Spock, and the starship Enterprise, take heart because today the Church celebrates the original Star Trek, which took place some 1900 years before the popular tv series. I say this because we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany, that event where the three wise men go searching for the new-born Christ-Child relying only on the guidance of a star.
To begin with, there is little the scriptures tell us about these men. We hear that the magi came from the east following a star and they brought with them gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Tradition tells us that they were three and their names were Gaspar, Balthazar, and Melchior. It is supposed that they came from Persia and were members of a priestly class of people with some degree of wealth. Other than that, we really don't know anything else.
So what is so important about this mysterious encounter between the Magi and the Christ-Child? What was so special about this visit that St. Matthew found it necessary to include it in his gospel?
Well, first of all, the word "epiphany" is significant. Epiphany is defined as "a moment of sudden revelation or insight." This meeting between the Magi was indeed just that. Here was a moment when Christ, the messiah for the Jewish people became the savior of all peoples. Here in this encounter between Jesus and these magi, Christ was manifested to the gentiles and showed God's intent to save not only his Chosen people but the entire world. This broadening of salvation to the gentiles was a divine twist to the messianic expectations of Israel and is certainly good news to us.
However, just as important and relevant for us today is the example of these magi in seeking and greeting the Christ-Child. How remarkable that they would spend weeks and even months pursuing a star into a foreign land! What faith these royal men must have had to follow the gentle light of a mysterious star to a humble house in Bethlehem! What patience to endure the long travel into the unknown and to continue undiscouraged, even on cloudy nights when the star was obscured! What open hearts these marvelous men must have had to be stirred by the interior promptings of God's grace and the exterior stimulus of the star!
And when they arrived at the house where Jesus, Mary and Joseph were resting, what was their reaction? The gospel tells us that they were overjoyed, and when they saw the child with his mother, they prostrated themselves and did him homage. As a final gesture of reverence and devotion, they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts, each worth a great deal, are also symbolically rich. Gold was given in homage to a king; here the Magi acknowledge Christ as the Kings of Kings. Frankincense was burnt in offering to God and often represented prayers rising to the almighty. Not only did the Magi hail him as King, but they also acknowledged him as Lord. Their final gift was myrrh. Myrrh was a wonderful-smelling ointment that was used in the embalming of the dead. This final gift of the Magi foreshadowed the saving death of Christ, which would redeem the world from sin and death.
Now contrast this response of the Magi to the reaction of King Herod. The Magi were overjoyed at seeing the star leading them to Christ but Herod was deeply troubled. While the Magi were seeking this newborn king so that they could pay him homage, Herod was hoping to find the Christ-Child so that he could destroy him. Herod was threatened by the prospect of Christ the king because he wanted to be his own ruler. His god was his own will and he was ready to destroy anyone and anything in his way. Herod's was completely absorbed by the things of this world and his sole focus was trying to maintain his shaky dominion. In King Herod we see the ravages of sin in relation to Christmas. Sin does not seek Christ; it certainly does not rejoice in his coming. Sin offers nothing more than lip-service to the savior and oftentimes opposes him directly.
As we rejoice during this Christmas season, we would do well to ponder this scene of the Epiphany in the gospel today. There is a little bit King Herod in each of us; .... we all have tendencies toward sin. It can be easy for us to become absorbed with the things of this world just as Herod was, especially around this time of the year. And if we are really honest with ourselves, we will see that many of our sins and shortcomings stem from a desire to be our own king, to do our own will. How often we are afraid to allow Christ to be King of our lives and we hesitate to offer him the treasures of our hearts! Such sinful tendencies cannot exist alongside the Christ-Child; whichever one we hold onto will destroy the other.
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas, I am confident that each of us truly wants Christ as the Lord and King of our lives. But we all know how difficult that can be. On this feast of the Epiphany, when we reflect on the example of the Magi, I invite you to imitate those faithful men. In this New Year, resolve to actively seek Christ just as they did when they followed the star to Bethlehem. Don't allow your spiritual life to be passive; search for Christ in the ordinary events of you daily life!! When you encounter Jesus, whether it is in Church, in prayer, or the happenings of the day, make sure and offer him your homage. Don't forget that he is your King, your Lord, and your Savior! Finally, imitate the magi in opening your treasures and offering them to Christ. Whether it is your time, talent, or material resources, each of us have our own gold, frankincense, and myrrh to offer to Jesus through our thoughts, words, and actions.
If we actively seek Christ in our lives, we can be confident we will find him. He gives us the star of his grace in the sacraments and the teaching of the Church, which leads us to his love. And when we have found him, let us not hesitate to pay homage to him and enthrone him as King, Lord, and Savior. Come, let us adore him!!
