Epiphany of the Lord
Today we celebrate the great feast of Epiphany. The word “epiphany” means “revelation” or “shining forth”. This feast reminds us that Jesus is not only the Jewish Messiah but the Light of the World who came to save all people.
So on this day, we are not just remembering the Magi who came from the East to find the King of the Jews.
We are also celebrating the beautiful truth that Jesus came to die for and save everyone, no matter their race, nationality, or religion.
The Magi, then, represent all human beings who desire for God and who seek Him with all their hearts. They are meant to represent all the nations and peoples of the world coming forward to worship the newborn King of the Jews who is also the Savior of the World. The Magi are the first outside of Israel to be drawn to Christ and to bow down in homage to Him who came to save all peoples.
Who were these Magi and how was it that they came to find Jesus in such an obscure place as a stable in Bethlehem? Scholars tell us that they were most likely from modern-day Iran. They were experts at studying the stars and at interpreting dreams. According to their religion, God was a God of light, and they believed they could know Him and discover His will by studying the stars.
The Scriptures also tell us that they were good and sincere men. Because of their love for the truth, they left their homes to follow the star which announced the birth of Jesus. They undertook the dangerous journey through the desert at great personal cost to witness with their own eyes the birth of the King of the Jews and to worship Him.
Though they were pagans, ignorant of the Scriptures and the God of Israel, their goodness and sincerity were noticed by God, and they were given the privilege of being among the first to see Jesus and believe in him.
In today’s gospel reading, however, we meet another man who is not as good and sincere as the Magi. He is King Herod. Like the Magi, he was born a pagan in a land called Idumea. However, he converted to Judaism once he was installed as king of Israel by Caesar. Unlike the other kings of Israel – and unlike Jesus – he was not a descendant of the royal line of David. Therefore, he was an impostor, a puppet of the Roman Empire. He brutally suppressed and killed anyone whom he perceived to be a threat to his authority. He even went as far as murdering his own son.
When he learned from the Magi that the real king of the Jews had been born, he became determined to find him and kill him. Herod was following a different star than the Magi did. The Magi were following the star of truth and goodness which led them to Jesus. Herod was following the star of ambition and power which would eventually lead to his destruction.
Like the Magi, each of us is following a star. There is something that each of us is after that motivates us and focuses our attention and energy. It could be financial security. It could be power and prestige. It could be the well-being of our family and friends. Whatever it is, we must ask ourselves, “Is this star leading me to Jesus?” Is it making me grow in faith, hope and love? Am I becoming a more generous person because of the goals I have set for my life? Or is the star that I am following actually leading me into darkness, making me more selfish and putting distance between me and my family?
Is it making me less attentive to the needs of others? The beginning of a new year is a good time to examine our conscience and to take an honest look at what stars we are following and where they are leading us. There is one thing we can know for certain: if our star is not leading us to Jesus, then it is leading us astray.
Another important question to ask ourselves is, “Are we stars to others?” Does the way we live lead others to Christ or lead them astray? Are we examples for our family and friends of what it means to know, love and serve God? If people were to follow us, where would we lead them – to Christ or somewhere else? No doubt each of us has someone who looks up to us. Are we a light of truth and goodness to them or are we leading them further into darkness?
The light of the star which led the Magi to Jesus no longer shines in the night sky. We are the light which announces to the world that Jesus is the Savior of the World. We are the ones who must lead others to the place where He may be found. It is up to us now to repeat the glad tidings that God has come to save us. We are to bring that message to all people we come across in our daily lives.
Will we follow the light which leads us not only to Bethlehem but to Calvary? And will we be a light for others along the way? If we heed God’s call, we can be assured that the result will be a harvest of peace and justice for all the peoples of the world.