January 5, 2013
Scripture References: Liturgical readings
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72
Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
Matthew 2:1-12
"On entering the house, they found the Child."
Jesus is the only Person pre-announced in the history of human civilization. The pre-announcements and prophecies pointing to His birth came from His own Jewish religion and also from prophets and wise men of other faiths. It is these prophetic references to His birth that the wise men, "three Kings", or Magi from the East, watched the skies for a sign of His birth. These men may have been astrologers since they knew about stars in their rising. So as they found the star, they followed it until they arrived in a manger. They entered the place, and found the Child wrapped in swaddling clothes. His mother Mary and St. Joseph were attending to Him. The Magi saw the light from the heavens that lit the way for them to see the brightest Light that is meant for all people.
In a sermon on the feast of the Epiphany, St. Peter Chrysologus (ca. 400-450 A.D.), one of the early Doctors of the Church, spoke and wrote about this mystery:
"Today the Magi gaze in deep wonder at what they see: heaven on earth, earth in heaven, man in God, God in man, One whom the whole universe cannot contain now enclosed in a tiny body. As they look, they believe and do not question, as their symbolic gifts bear witness: incense for God, gold for a King, myrrh for One who is to die."
God, King and Martyr. This is how Jesus, the Messiah, will also reveal Himself to us in our time. He reveals Himself first to Mary and Joseph, to the Magi and to His people Israel. He is now revealing Himself to us, the new Israel, in the Church and her sacraments. How generous of the Father to reveal His Son incarnated in Jewish ancestry and culture, and with a human nature shared by all races. God reveals Himself in all simplicity - within a family. Something all cultures and races can related with. God manifests His glory clothed in humility: a truth consistent throughout the gospels. He is God from the womb of a Virgin and a manger in Bethlehem. He is King as He was condemned to die on a Cross. And He is a Martyr entombed in one owned by Joseph of Arimathea. All these are one in the light of the Resurrection.
Scripture quotes from the Sunday readings:
All from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the Lord (Isaiah 60)
The kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute (Psalm 72)
In Christ Jesus the Gentiles are now co-heirs with the Jews (Ephesians 3)
The astrologers from the east opened their coffers and presented to the Lord gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2)
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