The Visit of the Magi [Solemnity of the Epiphany - January 8, 2012]

Solemnity of the Epiphany - January 8, 2012

Matthew 2:1-12

1When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” 3When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet:

6‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
since from you shall come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

7Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” 9After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.10They were overjoyed at seeing the star,11and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

Reflection

Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” v. 1-2

The Epiphany is not just about the visit by these exotic travelers to Jerusalem centuries ago. It is a revelation of deep truths that apply to all of us today.

For unbelievers, the Epiphany reveals that God gives every person on earth, every person, a sign of HIS presence.

For people of faith, the Epiphany reveals that Christ’s embrace is for everyone: shepherd and king, rich and poor, male and female, Jew and Gentile. His embrace is for everyone and the Epiphany calls us to widen our embraces too. As members of a universal Church, the Epiphany calls us to make our embrace as wide as the embrace of the Church should be.

For believers who are drifting, the Epiphany reveals that there is a sign, a very personal sign in their lives that will be a guide back to the Church and to Christ.

The message of the Epiphany, of these magi traveling through the night guided only by a star, is that whatever our darkness, however deep the night, God’s light is also there. Even if we are not fully aware of it, His light is there to guide us to that perfect light which is Jesus Christ.

One important meaning of the Epiphany, of these magi traveling by night looking toward the sky, is that God is not a complete stranger to anybody’s life.

Credits: Fr. S. Joseph Krempa, Captured Fire, excerpts

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarroabel.blogspot.com/).