Infant Jesus has come as Light of the World

Solemnity of the Epiphany (A)

This Sunday, we celebrate the great feast of the Epiphany, the manifestation of Jesus’ glory. Like Christmas itself, the Epiphany is one of the most ancient feasts in Christendom, having been observed as early as the mid 300's in the Eastern part of the Roman Empire. Actually, immediately after the legalization of Christianity, the Church borrowed the pagan festival known as the “Birthday of the Unconquered Sun” and baptized it as the Epiphany, the feast of God’s Son gloriously shining among his people. By doing so, the Church was able to re-direct people’s allegiance from the pagan deities to Jesus Christ.

The Preface for this holy day well captures the sense of awe and wonder that this feast is intended to arouse: “For today you have revealed the mystery of our salvation in Christ as a light for the nations, and when he appeared in our mortal nature, you made us new by the glory of his immortal nature.” Whereas our celebrations of Christmas emphasize the Word made flesh, the Epiphany celebrates how supremely ennobled all flesh truly became through the divine indwelling.

Only St. Matthew’s Gospel recounts the story of the magi. They were visitors from a far off, gentile culture, coming to pay homage to the newborn King. They were most likely professional philosophers who wove together a trade which consisted of astrology, medicine, magic, and fortune telling. Their designation “from the East” probably indicates that their journey originated in Persia, Arabia, or the eastern part of Syria. A star had led these wise men on their long journey, guiding them not just to the general vicinity of the child, but miraculously even to his own dwelling.

There is some speculation that this star might be the fulfillment of Balaam’s Old Testament prophecy: “I behold him, though not near; a star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel” (Nm 24:17). More likely, however, Jesus himself is the long-awaited star and staff, destined to bring both light and direction to his people. The star in this section of St. Matthew’s Gospel probably functions simply to guide the magi to Jesus and to demonstrate that even natural phenomena divulge the glory of the newborn King. The star also presents a challenge to all Christ’s followers, i.e. to be as clear, bright a witness to the presence of Jesus as was that star of Bethlehem.  

The Gospel does not tell us how many magi actually traveled to see Jesus, only that among them they brought three different gifts -- gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Traditionally, the gold is thought to have anticipated Jesus’ kingship and the incense his divinity, while myrrh foretold the redemptive suffering he would undergo.  The key piece of information about these magi, however, is that they came to do homage to Jesus; these foreigners came to bow down and adore this little child who is also the Eternal God incarnate. They are the first indications that Jesus’ ministry would move beyond the borders of Israel; they brought the glad tidings that many gentiles would be ready to accept this newborn King.  St. Paul rejoices in this fact in the second reading from his Letter to the Ephesians, “In Christ Jesus the Gentiles are now coheirs with the Jews, members of the same body and sharers of the same promise . . .” (Eph 3:6).

 

In fact, their humble acceptance of Jesus only emphasizes the tragic duplicity of the Judean King Herod. Herod, a Jew himself, was far more interested in his own political well-being than in any coming Messiah. Herod lied to the magi, asking them to find Jesus so that he might also offer homage. Herod’s real intention, of course, was to destroy the child; fortunately, the magi were forewarned of his treachery and returned to their own land without giving him any information. Herod foreshadows all those powerful people who later reject and plot against Jesus during his public ministry.

The infant Jesus has come as the Light of the World. This Gospel presents us with the fundamental choice we all must make -- we can embrace this Light, as did the magi and all those who seek after Truth, or vainly try to snuff it out, as did Herod and his minions. Nevertheless, we rejoice on this ancient feast that the Light will always prevail! Our hopes are summed up in the words of today’s Solemn Blessing during which the priest prays that when our life’s pilgrimage is ended we may “come to him whom the Magi sought as they followed the star and whom they found with great joy, the Light from Light, who is Christ the Lord.”

Msgr. Fell is a Scripture scholar and director, diocesan Office for Priest Personnel