The Epiphany of the Lord (Homily)
January 03, 2016 11:00 am · Deacon Rick Nevins
Today we celebrate the Epiphany of The Lord, the manifestation of Jesus as the long awaited Messiah of Israel, the Son of God and Savior of the world. While the gospel that is proclaimed on this great feast focuses on the adoration given Jesus by the Three Wise Men, Holy Mother Church directs her gaze and our hearts to two additional events that also bear witness to the manifestation of God in nature. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan and the Wedding feast at Cana.
Staying with today’s gospel let us consider the Three Wise Men, or Magi, who traveled from afar to pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews. “We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” They left the comforts and safety of their homelands to go in search of a treasure that could never be measured, bought or sold. They brought gifts for an unknown babe, knowing that even in his infancy he was to be shown great reverence. They followed a Star, a created light in the sky that served as a sign to lead them to The Uncreated Light; the true light that could enlighten everyone had come into the world. They were gentiles, pagans who hadn’t been raised listening the words of the prophets or stories passed down from generations about the coming messiah, but scholars is search of truth. They are a representation of all the nations of the world; indicating that all people are invited to salvation through Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe, born in a manger.
“We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” They are Wise Men, not concerned with local politics or what King Herod might think, and unlike Herod, there was no duplicity in them. The whole reason for their taking up the exhausting journey was simply to follow the star and seek the truth, and once found, do him homage, giving adoration to The Newborn King. The gifts they brought with them as more symbolic than anything else because they recognized that, all that they have to offer is inferior to the one they offer them to. They prostrated themselves and adored him, offering Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh.
Gold- Representing His Kingship… They confess him to be born King, not that he is to inherit a throne, or one day be named by some one else to be King but that he is at that moment, King, their King worthy of more that they can offer. The gift of Gold is also sign of their faith in the Newborn King.
Frankincense- Representing His Divinity… They prostrate themselves in humble adoration, worshiping him as God. They offer the sweet smelling resin in a gift of adoration indicating the aroma of sanctity.
Myrrh-Representing His Humanity…The gift of Myrrh announces his coming passion, although he is still in his mothers arms, he will one day suffer death, if only briefly…. Myrrh speaks to gift of evangelization and the human ability to participate in the work of salvation by proclaiming prophetically to the world - salvation through Jesus Christ.
They were truly Wise Men. With their eyes they saw a baby unable to do anything for himself, but with their hearts, with the eyes of faith, although they may not have understood it, they recognized the manifestation of God in nature. The gift of wisdom is the first and highest gifts of the Holy Spirit. It makes the soul responsive to God in the contemplation of divine things and enables one to know the purpose and plan of God. The Three Wise Men certainly cooperated with God’s Plan and sought to do what was right and just. Herod on the other hand accepted the star as a sign and even believed that the Christ was to be born, still, he thought only of himself. If we are honest with ourselves we can see the times when we behave more like Herod than one of the Wise Men. We may truly desire to give God his due with every breath we take, but we are still subject to temptation and sin. Thank God for the sacraments, those channels of Grace instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church that we may participate in the divine life! The Wise Men sought out Jesus and gave gifts full of symbolism along with their profound adoration
This Epiphany, live life as one of the Wise Men and give to God the only gift that really matters, Give him your self. Give your self over to him in the confessional, let him heal your soul and shower you with His mercy. Give yourself over to him when you receive the Eucharist, let him transform you into who he desire you to be. If you’re in an irregular marriage or cohabitating out of wedlock, give of yourselves fully, freely, and fruitfully to each other, and invite God into your relationship through sacrament of Holy Matrimony. And if you’re holding back in discerning a call to the priesthood, or the diaconate, go all in and actively pursue giving him your life through Holy Orders. Give yourself to God and accept the gift He gives of Himself in and through the Sacraments. Rise up in splendor my friends, your light has come. The Glory of the Lord shines upon you and His generosity can never be outdone for it knows no measure.
During Advent and Christmas we often hear the phrase, “Wise Men still seek him.” Do you? Are you willing to cooperate with God’s plan for you? Pray for an increase in the gift of wisdom, that we would all search for and recognize God in the ordinary. Pray for the wisdom seek out to His holy will, turn your life over to Jesus and do him homage.”
