The Epiphany of the Lord – Jan. 7, 2024
Isaiah 60: 1-6; Ephesians 3: 2-3a; 5-6; Matthew 2: 1-12.
Theme:
Jesus is the Epiphany of God, and We are Called to be the Epiphany of Jesus
Today,
we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany. From its Greek origin: epi, “on,
upon”, and phaino, “to appear, to shine”, the word “Epiphany” refers to
the divinity of Jesus “shining upon” the world. In other words, Epiphany is the
manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus. The early Church identified three
specific events that reveal Jesus’ divine nature. The modern Lectionary and
liturgical calendar maintain them together in three celebrations in a row.
First, the visit of the Magi that we celebrate today; second, the Baptism of
the Lord which is generally observed on the Sunday after Epiphany but this year
it is scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, January 8th; and third, the
following Sunday (the second Sunday in Ordinary Time) always has either a
Gospel passage of the Wedding at Cana (John 2: 1-11) or John the Baptist’s
testimony to Jesus, the section that comes right before the Wedding at Cana
(John 1: 29-42).
In this
feast of Epiphany, we celebrate the self-manifestation of God through the
Infant Jesus. Prophet Isaiah, in the first reading, tells of the light shining
forth from Jerusalem attracting peoples from near and far, from land and sea. In
our Gospel, Matthew informs us that the Magi (the three wise men from the East)
were led by the star (the light from above) to the place where the Newborn King
was. Saint Paul, in today’s second reading, teaches the Ephesians that they and
all the Gentiles are members of the same body of Christ.
Matthew
commences this Gospel account of the birth of Jesus by mentioning Bethlehem,
King Herod, and the magi. (Matthew 2: 1-2). The explanation of these three
names will help us to better understand the theological meaning of our Gospel
passage. First, “Bethlehem of Judea”, the birthplace of Jesus, is the place
where David was anointed as king. (1 Samuel 16: 1-13). So, by mentioning
“Bethlehem of Judea” here, the evangelist wants to confirm that Jesus is from
the line of David. Therefore, this newborn is the Messiah foretold by the
prophets of the Old Testament. Second, Herod was appointed by the Roman senate
to rule Judea in 40 B.C. The Jewish historian Josephus reports that he was a
brutal tyrant. He executed large numbers of political opponents including his
own family members. The primary goal of his life was to maintain his power.
That is why he was constantly vigilant against possible threats to it,
particularly from those who pretended to fulfill the royal prophecies foretold
by the prophets. Herod was extremely paranoid to the level that all people
feared him. My assumption in the context of our Gospel is that the people in
Herod’s city and court were not pleased with the arrival of the magi insofar as
their interpretation of a king who was born among the Jews would provoke
Herod’s paranoia. And when Herod’s paranoia enflamed, people would die.
Third,
the magi were learned men, academics, or scientists of their time. They studied
astronomy which was not distinct from astrology in antiquity. As astronomical
phenomena were identified with historical events, the magi were the ones to
bring interpretations. Matthew reports an astronomical event around the time of
Jesus’ birth and the interpretation of the three magi which indicates a new
royal line among the Jews.
In this
Gospel passage, Matthew tells us that the first persons to whom the divinity of
Jesus was revealed were not the insiders from the Jewish community but the
foreign magi who came from the East. This illustrates the universalism of God’s
revelation. Prophet Isaiah, in our first reading, already prophesied that
caravans of camels shall fill Jerusalem; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold
and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the Lord. (Isaiah 60: 6). Also,
Saint Paul, in our second reading, confirms this universalism of God’s
revelation when he says that through the Gospel, the Gentiles are coheirs,
members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus.
(Ephesians 3: 6). Today, God continues to reveal himself to all people from
different backgrounds. The Church is the visible sign of God’s revelation as it
welcomes people from all nations.
Matthew
speaks of the star that guided the magi to the place where the new King Jesus
was born. To see and know God, we must go to Jesus who is the Epiphany of his
Father. So, we need to find our star, the light from above, who can lead us to
him. Our Gospel says that the three wise men came from afar, meaning that they traveled
a long distance to discover where the newborn King was born. No doubt they were
tired, but they did not give up. They faithfully followed the star. You and I
are the “magi” of today. Our earthly life is a long journey going to Jesus who
reveals to us who God is. We need revelatory stars that lead us to Jesus. And
once we find them, we need to follow their guidance faithfully.
The
celebration of the Eucharist (Mass) is the first and greatest star that draws
us closer to our Lord. During Mass, Jesus reveals God to us. When we attend
Mass, we take part in the heavenly banquet; we sit at the same table with
Christ; we hear him when he speaks to us through the Scripture readings, and he
hears us when we lift up our petitions, prayers, and songs to him. At the
celebration of the Eucharist, we touch Jesus through the Holy Communion that we
receive, and we become one with him. Mass is the star that leads us to Jesus.
Bible study is another star that shows us the way to Jesus. Saint Jerome said
that ignoring the Scripture is ignoring Jesus. To go to Jesus and know him
means that we need to open our Bibles and read them. I lead Bible sharing every
Friday at 5:00 pm virtually via Zoom and in person. Starting this Friday, January
12th, 19th, and 26th at 6: 00 p.m., I will
teach a 3-day Bible Study Class to all SVD Church members from different
dioceses in the Southern part of the country. You can attend in person or
online. I encourage us to become familiar with reading the Bible at home. The
Bible is a good star that guides us to Jesus. There are many more stars that we
should also use as our guides such as Church ministries (choir, lector,
Eucharist Ministers, catechists, Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils, Men
club, Ladies club, Young Adult Ministry, Youth Ministry, Usher/Security, and
all ministries, commissions, and committees). When we serve God in these
ministries and committees, we strengthen our relationship with God.
The path
of the magi did one stop in Herod’s territory. The magi revealed to everyone
that they were in search of the newborn king of the Jews because they saw his
star at its rising. When Herod heard the news about the Newborn King Jesus, he
was greatly troubled. Matthew tells us that “all Jerusalem” was troubled right
along with him (Mt 2: 2-3). That was not good news for Herod who did not want
anyone to threaten his power. As I mentioned above, Herod was extremely
paranoid. He had such control over his subjects that they were too afraid to
show any disloyalty to him. When Matthew says that all people in Jerusalem were
afraid along with Herod, this does not mean that they worry about the power of
their king Herod. Rather, the people worried about their peace. They knew that
when Herod was distressed, people would die. Today Herod represents all those
who take comfort in the darkness and fear the light. Those who do not accept
Jesus to be the king of their lives. We must abandon all the works of darkness
and come to the light as prophet Isaiah exhorts us to in our first reading.
When the
Magi encountered the newborn Jesus, they prostrated themselves, did him homage,
and offered him the presents of gold (meaning that Jesus is a King),
frankincense (Jesus is a higher Priest), and myrrh (predicting the death and
resurrection of Jesus). The gestures of the Magi and the meaning of their
presents are found in the liturgy of the Eucharist. At Mass, we come to praise
Jesus our Lord, the king of the universe. He is the Higher Priest who
celebrates his own Mass through the human priest. And Mass itself is the
celebration of the Paschal ministry, which is the commemoration of Jesus’
Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension.
After
experiencing the “Epiphany of our Lord”, in their mystical contact with Jesus,
the Maggi departed for their country in another way, avoiding the way that
would lead them back to Herod who had no intention to bow down before Jesus but
rather to kill him. During the liturgy of the Mass, there is a mystical
encounter that occurs between us and Jesus which provokes in us a metanoia, “conversion”.
That is why, at the end of the Mass, being transformed, we are called to return
to our homes using a different way, which is the way of conversion. We abandon
our old life and start a new one with Jesus.
Jesus,
the star of our lives, is the Epiphany of God. He draws us closer to God. As
his followers, we are called to be the stars for our brothers and sisters. We
must help them see Jesus and come closer to him through our Christian lives.
Amen.
Rev. Leon Ngandu, SVD
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