THE EPIPHANY (Revelation) OF THE LORD, Yr B, Jan 7, 2024.
Readings
1st: Isaiah 60:1-6
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm: 71:1-2, 7-8, 10-13
2nd: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12
Theme: Be Someone's Star
My dear people of God, today Mother Church celebrates the manifestation of our Lord, traditionally referred to as Epiphany. Epiphany, another word for "showing", marks the official end of Christmas season and paves the way for the Lord's Baptism. For liturgical purposes, the Baptism of our Lord this year takes place tomorrow, Monday Jan 8, 2024, to ursher Him into His public Life and Ministry (Ordinary Time). Our reflections would focus on the Theme, deduced from the role the Star plays in the Magi's tireless search for the New Born King. The Solemnity of Epiphany teaches us not to be narrow minded in our thinking about other people. The entirety of its message is an instant breakdown of that "thick wall" between us and those we consider "outsiders" and cannot meet with God's favor. The visit of the magi tells us that God's Son becomes flesh not only for Jews (Christians) but also for Gentiles (non-Christians). The story of the magi is told only by Matthew and which story begins the international showing of Jesus (the gospel) by Matthew beyond the selfish and narrow minded "world" of the Jews. It is still not too certain how many men made up the magi. Perhaps, the number (three) is meant to conveniently correspond to the gifts presented: gold - gift for a king, frankincense - gift for a priest, myrrh - gift for one who is to die. The precise number is not our preoccupation. What is important for our purpose is that the Magi represents all people to whom God shows Himself in Jesus. By this narrative, Matthew, among other things, intends to show the difference between the Gentile leaders who travel hundreds of miles to honor the Messiah and the Jewish leaders who are just five miles away but caring nothing about Him. That which is already full even God cannot add anything to it. (Teresa of Avila) It is still the case today, perhaps worse, that some people live just behind the Church's fence wall; they have time for everything anytime anywhere but not daily Mass. The self-righteous attitude of the Jewish leaders is also a direct reflection of some individuals, families, groups/associations who pride themselves of being so special in the eyes of God and in the Church. The unrelenting search of the magi takes us to that era when serious minded Christians commuted long distances on foot to attend (daily) Mass, sometimes under very trying weather conditions.
The Magi's journey has a number of lessons to teach us in our own life journey in search of Christ. For them, it takes a personal and a determined search to discover Jesus and who He is (for me). Hearing or reading about Jesus should not be confused with knowing Him. Knowledge and faith are two different things. What I heard or read about Jesus can never be the fullest truth of who He is. Personal search, personal discovery, personal encounter and personal experience would do better. Even at the level of human interaction, it would be a clear sign of psychological deficiency to relate with someone/people based on what others [have said about them]. The story of the "doubting Thomas" is so familiar and popular to us that very few Christians, if at all, would fully understand and appreciate the lesson it seeks to teach. Thomas is not like you and I who would hear something casually and begin to peddle and spread it carelessly without strict verification. Clarity, certainty and precision are his second nature. Faith (constantly) seeks understanding. We cannot confuse experience with knowledge. Jesus is personally discovered and experienced, not reported. For the Magi, distance and distractions like Herod are never obstacles or obstructions on their way. They are convinced, well focused and are not prepared to give up in the face of any distraction or obstruction. For the Magi, there is nothing like "try/taste and see Christianity". "Once your hands are on the plough....no turning back" The long search (journey) was not without great difficulties and challenges. It was full of intermittent frustrations, threats and physical stresses. Matthew gives a too simple picture of the Magi's visit, as if it took just a day or two. It is widely speculated that they had seen the Star two years earlier before the despot and power-drunk Herod summoned them for that malicious interrogation. The story of the Magi is still the stressful experience of many who struggle on their daily journey towards God and their resolve to live the gospel in its details. The Magi had a goal which, for them, must be achieved, despite the cost. People without goals can dangerously be aimless, visionless and hopeless. Life without set goals is synonymous to not existing. We could safely compare goals with the star in our today's gospel. Following that star (goal) can sometimes mean serious trouble (with Herod) but trouble is far easier to cope and deal with than coping and dealing with meaninglessness. In other words, there is more sense and value to suffer and die for something than to live for nothing.
Darkness, the direct opposite of light, is a colour for black and night. It is also the colour of melancholy, grief and loss. Darkness is the colour of death, the colour worn and jealously owned and protected by Lucifer, the CEO of all evil, personified and impersonated by Herod in our today's gospel. The truest description of Herod is that he was a very cruel character with an ever guilty conscience that was never at peace for a moment. He was very suspicious. The older he grew the more suspicious he became until he turned into a murderous old man. If he suspected anyone as a rival and a threat to his power, that person was promptly eliminated. It is clear and certain how such a man would feel when news reached him that a child was born who was destined to be king. The murderous old man was troubled and sleepless.The whole Jerusalem was also troubled, knowing well the instant steps Herod would take to eliminate the child. In our own life journey, we should make rooms for "modern Herods" who hate for no reason and fear for no cause. They feel threatened and insecure just only by hearing of something good about others. They spend a great deal of time plotting how to defame and destroy. In the process, very innocent people (children) are destroyed. But for their inspired decision to return home through a different root, the Magi would have been the first victims of Herod's cruelty before the Innocent Children. Perhaps, our "modern Herods" are more numerous, more wicked and closer - in families, communities and offices. We prayerfully hope our churches are fully safe from their presence and pursuit. I pray that all your goals in 2024 find favor with God and bear deserving fruits, despite any possible "Herod" on the way. Rest assured, that wherever there may be a "Herod" in the course of this year (and beyond), your God has already been there. Trust also that your God doesn't leave things half done, He is not a God of "half journeys", otherwise He would not even permit the beginning. Continue to make time to recite the Holy Rosary daily God richly bless you and your family.
Rev. Fr. Thomas L. Debuo, Catholic Diocese of Damongo (0244511306/0243711926/0246222135)