Word to the Wise
Sunday, January 5, 2014 - The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord - ABC [This feast was traditionally celebrated on Jan. 6; in the USA it is now on the Sunday after Jan. 1]
[Isa 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Matt 2:1-12]When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews?" We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage!"
As I write this reflection, I am out in Tucson, AZ, near the University of Arizona, which hosts the USA office of the Vatican observatory! In the mountains nearby are a number of important astronomical telescopes that search the heavens for all kinds of important information! However, the stars are observable by lesser mortals like me and out here they are in magnificent array! In Jesus' day [and before and after], lesser and greater mortals considered the heavens and the earth to be connected and the earth to be a reflection of events in the stars! Astrology and horoscopes are still popular! For the Magi, a significant event in the heavens meant a signficant event on earth. Their arrival in the intensely politico-religious atmosphere of Jerusalem was bound to create a fuss on earth! Their use of the term, "king of the Jews," results in checking Jewish sources - the prophets - and in scheming by Herod, whose paranoia knew no end! There could be only one "king of the Jews," and he would see to that!
"Epiphany" means to "reveal" or "shine forth." In Matthew's gospel, the charm and melodrama of the visit of the Magi serve as the vehicle for divine revelation to both pagan and Jew. At the end of the gospel, Jesus sends the apostles to the whole world! The kingdom announced in the stars will become the kingdom proclaimed on earth. It seems to be that we could get in line behind the Magi with whatever gifts we can bring! AMEN