Today
we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany, which I have to admit, is a feast I
didn't always think was a big deal. However, about 10 years ago, I had
the opportunity to spend the first part of January in Southern Spain. I was in
Seville during this feast day and took part in a parade for the three kings. It
lasted over four hours and processed through the entire city. Experiencing the
great reverence the Spanish had for the three kings helped me understand
the significance of this feast for us as followers of Christ, 2000 years after
his birth.
There
is very 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 there were three magi 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?
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 Jesus, 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 all of
us.
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; as the Magi acknowledged 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 accepted 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 the captivity of sin.
Contrast the 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 they could pay him homage, Herod was
hoping to find the Christ-Child so 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
that got 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 effects of sin. 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 attacks
him directly.
As
we rejoice during this Christmas season, we would be wise to reflect on the
Epiphany. There is a little bit of 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. 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, each of us wants Christ as the Lord and King
of our lives. But we all know how difficult that can be to make a reality. On
this feast of the Epiphany, when we reflect on the example of the Magi, let's
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!! Secondly, when you encounter Jesus,
whether it is in Church, in prayer, or the happenings of the day, make sure and
offer him your praise. Don't forget 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. Our savior is born; come let us adore him!!
