Vol.5 No.17 DoM Gospel Reflection
Feast of the Epiphany—January 3, 2016
Matthew 2:1-12
By Myrtle Milling
The Feast of the Epiphany is a celebration of the manifestation or revelation of Christ. Literally a moment of sudden revelation or insight. We know that the angel’s announcement of the birth of the Christ child to the shepherds is representative of God first offering salvation to the Jews and that the Magi’s visit is representative of God’s offer of salvation to all people. I would like to look more closely to at their actual journey and what it can teach us about our own journey to Christ.
Matthew tells us that the Magi were from the east a foreign land. They were not Jews, but did know the Jewish prophesies about the birth of the messiah. The magi were astronomers,astrologers or both. They were scholarly truth seekers who were drawn to the
light. Because they were WISE men, they were open and responsive to their inner yearnings.
The interior yearning of these men to look to the light must have been incredibly strong for them
to have set out on a journey of such magnitude. What would have made them receptive to such
a call? A certain interior disposition and confidence, or faith, in the truth. Like Mary, the wise
men were receptive to God’s call. So in our own Magi like journey to salvation we must be able
to recognize the light and be receptive to God’s call. In order to do this, our interior dispositions
must be in order. This may mean cleaning out our interior cobwebs from time to time. Thank
goodness for the sacrament of reconciliation. It helps us to both receive and offer forgiveness.
We also learn from Matthew’s gospel that the Magi embarked on their journey in the company of others responding to similar calls. Others who were also searching for truth and light. We are all on our own spiritual journey, but as Daughters of Mary, we are in the company of women all searching for the same thing. Our journeys are different, but also similar. We are all women striving to be faithful to God’s call. We learn from each other and offer each other up in prayer.
The Magi’s journey was surely tough. Even though they were wise men, they first turned to Jerusalem looking for the Christ child. The light that was guiding them diminished or
disappeared for part of their journey. When the Magi lost the light of their guiding star, they
sought the advice of the wrong people. In our own faith journey, losing sight of God’s guiding
presence leaves us vulnerable. The Magi were open to deceit and traps like the one set by
Herod. How did they keep their focus. They trusted the inner light that was guiding them. In
each of our own spiritual journeys, there may be times of desolation when we seem to lose our
focus, our guiding star. Mother Theresa referred to this as “ the dark night of the soul”. This is
when we are at our most vulnerable and when our Catholic faith will help us the most. When we
cannot hear God, feel his presence and we feel lost in the darkness, we must practice our faith.
Go to mass, receive the Eucharist, pray the rosary. Many people turn their noses up at rote
prayer, but in times of desolation, it is a wonderful tool to help us hang on to God and not lose
our way.
It is so interesting that in this gospel, the Magi were set back on track by religious men, the chief priests and the scribes. Interesting because these Jewish scholars knew where to look for the Christ child. They knew the signs, yet they did nothing. For them, their knowledge was fruitless.
Surely men can be both scholarly and wise, but here it does not seem to be the case. What is the difference between the scribes and priests and the Magi? The Jewish leaders are prideful of their knowledge and position and not truly seeking the light. The Magi only wanted truth and were both humble and grateful. They were humble enough to seek council when they lost the light of the guiding star. We also see their immense gratitude at the return of the star. Matthew says, “ When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” And on seeing the Christ child, “ they prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered Him gifts.” Some translations say they fell down in worship. These were nonJews from a foreign land falling down in worship of a child in a manger, who was not their God. They must have fallen down in exhaustion, thankfulness, humility and joy overwhelmed by the glory and presence of God. Adoration is the highest form of prayer and this moment of adoration is the climax of the Magi’s journey. Surely their lives were never the same! When we come out of times of darkness in our own journeys do we remember to pause, to praise God, to thank him for His faithfulness, and to offer all of our gifts to Him? Do we fall down in adoration of our God?
What is the final lesson from the Magi’s journey? “ Having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another route”. They returned to their lives, but were faithful to the light they received from their personal encounter their Savior. How did they know to do this? They were truly WISE men. They had come to know Truth, they had come to know Christ. They had followed the star and found the true Light of the World. For Jesus said, “ I am the way, the truth, and the life. no one comes to the Father, but by me.” Jn 14:6 And, “ I am the light of the world. he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Jn 8:12
Let us all respond, Come Lord Jesus!
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