Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12
The New Testament mentions four people named Herod, but the one talked about in today’s gospel is Herod the Great, whose greatness we can hardly see (unless our idea of greatness includes the power to murder innocent children).
Herod was an extremely paranoid person who saw rivals to his throne everywhere. His fears of losing his power led him to murder all whom he suspected of plotting to dethrone him, including members of his family and the holy innocents.
Herod was so self-absorbed and his selfishness was the root of his paranoia. He thought that by remaining king and by having people worship him, he would have all the happiness in the world. However, his self-centeredness brought him fear and misery.
In contrast to Herod, the three magi from the East were self-effacing. Tradition would call them kings and their names are Gaspar, Melchor and Balthazar. Actually, the gospel does not say that they were “kings” and that they were “three”. Tradition proposes that they were three because of the three gifts, namely, gold, frankincense and myrrh. Bible scholars suggest that the magi were not really kings but astrologers who studied the heavens in order to understand and predict what was going to happen on earth.
The magi were wise men, but their wisdom was clothed with humility and obedience. In fact, they showed willingness to be guided by a shining star, which was considered a manifestation of heavenly power. Unlike Herod, the magi were not self-centered. They recognized a higher Authority and they went out of their way in order to find him. Herod wanted to locate the Child in order to kill him; the magi wished to find the baby in order to worship and offer him gifts. Because they chose to give themselves in service to the real King, the magi found the happiness which they all longed for. The gospel says it clearly: “They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary His mother” (Mt 2:10-11).
The feast of the Epiphany reminds us that Jesus is the manifestation of God in the lives and hearts of all peoples. He is the Savior not only of the Jews but of all humankind. It is only in Jesus that we can have the fullness of life. Today, we are challenged to emulate the example of the magi who remained humble and open, who left their homes and families, who gave their time and energy in order to find him who is the “Light of all lights”. The magi found Jesus not in a palace but in a manger. This serves to remind us that God is easily found in places where simple people are welcome, where there is no discrimination against anybody, and where the spirit of love and mutual concern prevails.
There is a legend about a little boy called Emmanuel who was always asking questions. One day he asked the question, “What language does God speak?” No one could answer him. He traveled all over his own country with the same question, but still did not receive an answer.
Eventually, he set off in search of the answer on other continents. For a long time, he had no success. At last he came one night to a village called Bethlehem, and, as there was no room in the local inns, he went outside the village in search of a shelter for the night. He came to a cave, and he saw that it was occupied by a couple and a child.
He was about to turn away when the young mother spoke, “Welcome, Emmanuel, we’ve been expecting you.” The boy was amazed that the woman knew his name. He was even more amazed when she went on to say, “For a long time you have been searching the world over to find out what language God speaks. Well, now your journey is over. Tonight, you can see with your own eyes what language God speaks. He speaks the language of love, which is expressed in sharing, understanding, mercy and total acceptance.”
(The story is told by Jack McArdle)
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