THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD (SOLEMNITY)
First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12
Today in this part of the world we celebrate the Feast of Epiphany. The word, ‘epiphany is derived from the Greek, ‘epiphaneia’ which means ‘manifestation.’ It is one of the oldest festivals in the Church and commemorates the first manifestation of Jesus who is God to the gentiles, represented by the Magi.
The first reading from Isaiah tells us that the light of Jerusalem has come and the nations will come to this light. The responsorial Psalms says, ‘all the nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.’ The Feast of Epiphany celebrates the fulfilment of these prophecies, when the Magi, pagans from the East, representing all the nations came to see He who is the Light of the world, bringing Him gifts and offering Him worship.
The Gespel today presents us St. Matthew’s account of the coming of the Magi to Bethlehem, we find in it some practical instructions for our lives as priests, religious or lay persons. Reflecting on this passage, we see how historical elements mix with the theological and symbolic elements. This is important because the evangelist did not simply intend to report the facts, but to inculcate things to be done, to indicate models for us to follow or avoid.
There are clearly three different reactions to the announcement of the birth of Jesus.
1. That of the Magi
2. That of Herod
3. That of the priests and teachers of the law
Let us start with the negative models; the ones to avoid:
1. Herod: Hearing the news, he was greatly troubled. He convokes a meeting of the chief priests, scribes and teachers of the law, not to know the truth but to plot a deception. Herod represents the person who has already made his choice between God’s will and his own will. He has clearly chosen his own will and sees nothing but his own interests. Such a person is determined to cut down any threat to the current state of things. Herod was a politician. Most politicians are like that. He probably even thinks he is doing his duty defending his royalty, his family dynasty and the good of the nation. Even the killing of the Holy Innocents must have seemed to him as with many dictators in history, a measure demanded by public good, morally justified. From this point of view, the world is full of many Herods.
2. The Priests, Scribes and Teachers of the law: Asked by Herod, and the Magi, where the Messiah is to be born, they do not hesitate to give the correct answer. They know where the Messiah is born, they are also able to tell others; but they are not moved. They do not run to Bethlehem as would be expected of people who are expecting the Messiah. They remain comfortably in Jerusalem. They are like road signs that indicate the way. They indicate the way to follow but remain unmoved. Here we see an attitude symbolized in them that is also found among us. We know what is necessary to do, we know it is necessary to follow Jesus and we know how to explain it to others but we lack the courage and radicalism to seriously put it into practice. Every baptised person is called to witness to Christ. The attitude of the chief priests and leaders of the people calls us to reflect. They knew that Jesus was in Bethlehem, we know where Jesus is to be found today – among the poor, the humble, the suffering, and in the Blessed Sacrament – do we make any move to be with Jesus?
3. The Magi: Finally, we come to the protagonists of this feast, the Magi. They teach not with words but with deeds, not by what they say but what they do. When they perceived the birth of the Messiah, they did not stay back, they left the security of the environment familiar to them, where they are known and revered. They acted decisively. If they had begun to calculate one by one the dangers on the road, the difficulties and uncertainties, they would have lost their original determination and not go to see Jesus.
The wise men also teach us something very important. “Having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.” Encountering Jesus at Christmas changes one’s life and the way one takes. Our encounter with Christ must bring about a turn, a change of habits.
In this episode, the evangelist makes us see how God uses things most familiar to us to call us. Christ reveals Himself to each category of persons with signs appropriate and comprehensible to them. To simple shepherds, he sent an angel; to the Jews who are attached to miracles, he gives a sign by changing water into wine and so manifested His glory. To the wise men from the East who scrutinize the sky, He sends a star. The star leads them to the stable where Jesus is born.
Louis Cassel wrote a story of a man who did not believe in God. It was Christmas Eve and the man’s wife and children were getting ready to go for mass. He wasn’t going. He said to his wife, “I simply can’t understand what Christmas is all about, this claim that God became man.” It had been snowing all day and it was beginning to snow harder as the man’s family drove off to the Church without him. He sat by the fire place and began to read his newspaper. A few minutes later he started hearing some noise at the kitchen window. When he went to investigate, he found a flock of birds caught in the storm and in desperate search for shelter and warmth. He was a very kind man so he tried to think of something he could do so the birds wouldn’t freeze. He thought about the barn, ‘that would be a nice shelter’ he thought.
He put on his coat and rain boots and walked through the deepening snow to the barn. He opened the door wide and turned on the light. But the birds didn’t come in. Food will bring them in he thought, so he hurried back to the house for bread crumbs and some maize which he sprinkled on the snow to make a trail to the barn. The birds ignored the food and continued to flop around helplessly in the snow. Even when they eat the ones around them, they did not go to the barn. He tried to chase them toward the barn but they scatter in every direction except into the warm lighted barn. “They find me a strange and terrifying creature” he said to himself in frustration. He could not find a way to let them know they can trust him.
Puzzled and dismayed, he pondered this thought, “if only I could be a bird myself for a moment, perhaps, I could lead them to safety.” At that moment, the Church bell began to ring, pealing the glad tidings of Christmas. The man stood silently for a minute and sank to his knees in the snow. Gazing into the sky, he whispered, “now I understand, now I see why you had to become man.” In this story we see how a simple sign led this man to faith in God.
God continues to manifest and reveal Himself to us through the ordinary things, events of our lives and signs, signs that when followed lead to the One True God and Jesus Christ whom He sent. In Titus 2: 11 we read, “the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all peoples.” It appeared to the wise men by the sign of a star. Epiphany occurs each time we see something so beautiful that we believe only a God could have created it, it occurs each time you listen to a passionate piece of music that touches your soul. Epiphany happens each time we hear the Word of God that touches us. He requires us to be attentive to His invitations to deeper trust, surrender and worship. We pray that we maybe more attentive to God who is calling us every day.
Happy Feast of Epiphany
Fr. Chidi Onwuka msscc