Solemnity of the Epiphany of Our Lord Jan. 3, 2010 (Mt 2:1-12)
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, 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."
When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: '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.'"
Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. He 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."
After 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. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and 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.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.
When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: '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.'"
Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. He 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."
After 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. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and 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.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.
The celebration of the Lord's Epiphany reminds us that Jesus' birth is a symbol of God's saving love that is offered to all. Jesus was born to save humanity, not only the Jews. This is the news of great joy that the angel announces - the Savior of all men is born! The gifts of the magi prophesy the destiny of the child Jesus. The frankincense symbolizes divinity; the gold, kingship; and the myrrh, death. Jesus is God who comes to us as a king who will serve by suffering and dying and thus, will save all men from sin and death.
Jesus' birth was not known to the political and religious leaders of His time. But He manifested Himself to the magi, wise men who are not from the People of God, who diligently searched for Him, who brought Him gifts and did Him due homage. Our Gospel for today allows us to reflect on the different ways people react when God comes. The magi brought gifts and worshiped the child. Herod, on the other hand, under the guise of wanting to worship, sought to kill the child. Herod loves his position so much that he sought to kill this newborn king of the Jews, as he was afraid that Jesus would dethrone him.
Sometimes, we become like Herod. We see God as a hindrance in acquiring the things we long to have. We believe in God but we seek to "kill" Him because with Him in our hearts, we cannot enjoy the ephemeral pleasures of lust, of acquisition of power, and of possession of great riches. God does not want us to belong to this world and to seek the shallow happiness it brings, so we seek to "kill" Him so that we can go our own way, enjoying the pleasures of this world.
Like the magi, we must seek Jesus and give Him the best gift we can give - ourselves. We must seek Him so we can do Him homage. We should recognize Him as king and let Him dethrone the worldly things and desires that reign in our hearts. He should be our King, our God, our Savior.
Jesus' birth was not known to the political and religious leaders of His time. But He manifested Himself to the magi, wise men who are not from the People of God, who diligently searched for Him, who brought Him gifts and did Him due homage. Our Gospel for today allows us to reflect on the different ways people react when God comes. The magi brought gifts and worshiped the child. Herod, on the other hand, under the guise of wanting to worship, sought to kill the child. Herod loves his position so much that he sought to kill this newborn king of the Jews, as he was afraid that Jesus would dethrone him.
Sometimes, we become like Herod. We see God as a hindrance in acquiring the things we long to have. We believe in God but we seek to "kill" Him because with Him in our hearts, we cannot enjoy the ephemeral pleasures of lust, of acquisition of power, and of possession of great riches. God does not want us to belong to this world and to seek the shallow happiness it brings, so we seek to "kill" Him so that we can go our own way, enjoying the pleasures of this world.
Like the magi, we must seek Jesus and give Him the best gift we can give - ourselves. We must seek Him so we can do Him homage. We should recognize Him as king and let Him dethrone the worldly things and desires that reign in our hearts. He should be our King, our God, our Savior.
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