The celebration of this weekend’s solemnity reveals to us the beautiful truth that the salvation offered by Christ is for all peoples. The journey and presence of the Magi show us that anyone who seeks Jesus with a sincere heart is acceptable to God. As his disciples, we are called to confess our faith in Christ and to make his message of salvation resound throughout the earth.
We have no idea how many Magi (Persian astrologers) actually came to Bethlehem seeking the new King of the Jews. But the star they saw and tracked signified an epiphany for them—the arrival of a Savior. An “epiphany” or “manifestation” often signals the presence of the Divine. In the life of Jesus, there are three epiphanies. Each one reveals a truth about ourselves and how we can grow in our relationship with God:
- The Visitation of the Magi
The Magi are instructed to go back a different way. We turn toward Christ and follow his teachings, and follow a different path. - The Baptism of the Lord
Jesus’ identity as Son of the Father is confirmed. We recognize our own identity as sons and daughters of God. - The Wedding Feast at Cana
Instituting his first sign, Christ reveals himself as bridegroom, and Mary says, “Do whatever he tells you.” We follow the commands of Christ.
These are the next three gospel passages we will hear proclaimed in the coming weeks. This Sunday, Matthew’s Gospel tells of the Christ child born in Bethlehem in the time of King Herod, who had a death wish for all potential claimants to his status and throne. After the Gentile wise men are profoundly affected by their encounter with the Christ child and his family, they make their own way in the world, defying the powers that be. The Magi exemplify how God might call us to live his plan in this world despite our best-laid plans. Further, while we all have leading roles in our own stories, we never know when we might be significant supporting actors in the lives of others.
Fr. Terry