The Epiphany of the Lord
On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, I preached a homily titled, “Advent Stories: Ahaz, Mary, Joseph, and You!” In that homily, I recounted the role that the main characters played in the Christmas story. Today, we continue that story looking at other characters – King Herod and the Magi.
There are many points on which Herod and the Magi can be contrasted. First, the Magi were on a search. They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?” In contrast, the birth of Jesus went completely unnoticed by Herod. Neither did he hear the angles, nor did he see the star. Second, Herod was “greatly troubled” when he heard that a star had appeared announcing the birth of Jesus. He became afraid. His fear was so intense that it made him act irrationally. Many innocent children were killed in the process. In contrast, the magi were “overjoyed at seeing the star” and the “child with his mother.” Third, the magi did the child homage and offered him gifts. Herod on the other hand, sought to destroy the child.
There are lessons we can learn from this story. Here are my three practical implications:
What Guides Us?
On a very basic level, today’s feast leads us to reflect upon our spiritual life. The magi were on a quest. They were on a search. They were on a spiritual journey. We are told that they were led by a star. But I also think that the star was the conviction within them that their destiny lay in the Christ.
As a practical implication, I suggest that we look at our own spiritual journey and ask questions like the Magi. What is the star that is leading us? Where is the star leading us? Who is at the end of our star? Let me put these questions in another way. Since last year, have we grown I our relationship with God? Since last year, has our relationship with God lead us to a better relationship with the people around us? Has our relationship with God made us more humble, peaceful, loving, reconciling, just, and honest? Have we become better disciples?
Fear or Faith?
Fear is a very tangible feeling. In fact, fear is a dominant construct of today’s society. We are afraid of many things. Some of these fears are real while others may be a fiction of our own imagination. The threat of violence, economic recession, brokenness in families, fear of failure or even our own insecurities – these are real fears. But then, like Herod, our fears can sometimes also be irrational. Herod did not need to be afraid of a child. But he was. Herod acted out of fear. This was a tragedy.
The antidote to fear is faith. Operating out of faith can lead to a very different outcomes that operating out of fear. If only Herod could have brought himself before God and face his fears with God. If only Herod had come to manger that day. Today, we have the opportunity to bring our fears –rational and irrational – before the little child Jesus. Let us face our fears with God in faith.
The Gifts We Bear
During the past Christmas Masses for our school students, I ask them a very simple question. I say, “How many of you received gifts, this Christmas?” Everybody raises their hands. Then I asked them why they were receiving gifts if it was not their birthday. Our normal experience is that we receive gifts on our birthday. We do not distribute gifts on our birthday. If Christmas is Jesus’ birthday, should he not be the one receiving gifts? The students looked puzzled. I then ask the students what gift they offered Jesus on his birthday. Generally, there is silence.
Kids talk aside, the magi did come bearing gifts. As adults, we ask ourselves, what could we offer Jesus today? As individuals, as a family, even as a parish community, what could we offer Jesus? The magi offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and mhyrr - gifts that match the Divine King! May our gift match the One who receives it.
The magi offered the child Jesus homage. In this Eucharist today we too have the opportunity to do the same. This is where the star has led us today. This is our manger today. Christ is here for us today.
- Fr. Satish Joseph