Epiphany
Return to Cycle Index
Cycle B
- Kings shall pay him homage
- Q353: There is a lot of talk about “light” and “glory” and “stars” in today’s readings. Surely there is more going on here than just pious words?
- Q509: The gospel story (Matt 2:1-12) shows the Magi seeking the “newborn king” based on a sign in the sky. Are we supposed to become sky watchers?
====
Christian tradition has made three Kings out of the three Wise Men. Whether they were royal is not important; but it would certainly have been appropriate for the first Gentiles who were invited to greet the infant King of Kings, to have been of kingly state.
King St. Louis IX of France became a sort of fourth Wise Man when he devoutly visited the shrines of the Holy Land around the year 1250. Those were the days of the crusades - armed Christian expeditions against the Moslems of Palestine who had seized Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and the other places of pilgrimage made holy by Christ's presence. As a young king, Louis followed the crusade movement with great devotion. In 1239, he accepted as a most precious gift the crown of thorns of Christ, given to him by the French crusader, Emperor Baldwin II of Constantinople. To house this crown of thorns King Louis built a beautiful little church that still stands in Paris, "La Sainte Chappelle."
In 1244, St. Louis was gravely ill. Blessed with the relic of the sacred crown of Christ, he suddenly recovered. In thanks, he vowed to head a new crusade to the Holy Land, where the Moslems were threatening to recoup their losses. Louis landed in Egypt and set out against the enemy. "Never did any one behold so fine a man," one of his officers said. "He appeared towering over all his people, head and shoulders taller than they, a gilded helmet on his head, a German sword in his hand." A truly royal figure!
Actually, Louis' campaign failed. He was himself captured, then ransomed. But he was nevertheless able to make his way as a pilgrim to Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Thus he fulfilled the dream of the psalmist: "Let us go where He is waiting and worship at His footstool" (Ps. 132, 7)..."All kings shall pay Him homage, all nations shall serve Him" (Ps. 72, 11. Today's responsorial psalm.)
-Father Robert F. McNamara
====
Q353: There is a lot of talk about “light” and “glory” and “stars” in today’s readings. Surely there is more going on here than just pious words?
Both the Old and the New Testaments are full of images that speak symbolically of the real presence of God. One image that looms especially large is the image of light. The “pillar of fire” that accompanied the Hebrews during the initial phases of the exodus journey, and the “burning bush” episode with Moses are two great examples from the Old Testament. In the New Testament, John’s gospel is exceptional in its recognition of this ‘light’ imagery as standing for God’s presence, He whose “light shines in the darkness” (John 1).
The nation of Israel had destroyed its relationship with Yahweh by falling away from the truth that there is One God, and that he commands his people to live their lives His way. Their “darkness” – the sins of apostasy, idolatry and lack of a true spirituality – eventually caused them to be led away into exile to Babylonia in 587 B.C. After seventy years during which they could ponder the real reason for their misfortunes, the prophet we refer to as “Third Isaiah” announced that their relationship with Yahweh was being restored: His light once more was being restored to the Israelites (Is 60:1-6). Once again they are called to be His servants, focused on God and not on the worldly allurements or distractions.
The light theme continues into the gospel today (Matt 2:1-12), where we see a “star” shining in Bethlehem over the “true light that shines in the darkness,” the child Jesus. Here we find the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy from Third Isaiah that all nations would be drawn to this light. They will come to do homage and worship and praise the Lord, the One who will shepherd His people.
KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! On this celebration we call “Epiphany,” we celebrate the adoration of Jesus by those Magi drawn to the “light of the world” and guided to him by the “light of a star” (CCC #528). The long-awaited Messiah of the world has come. In the Holy Spirit, Christ fulfills the Old Testament symbols of light and glory (CCC #697). Are you focused on God first, or on worldly allurements – i.e., does light or darkness govern your life?
====
Q509: The gospel story (Matt 2:1-12) shows the Magi seeking the “newborn king” based on a sign in the sky. Are we supposed to become sky watchers?
Let’s rephrase the story just a little bit, for clarity. The “magi” or wise men are seeking one thing: the Truth. That is what sages and wise men do. So they are alert for unusual signs, and when they find one that is unique they set out on a long journey, not knowing where it will lead them. At the end of their journey they find the Truth, the newborn king, the word of God, in the person of the baby Jesus, the Christ. Grateful and in deep awe at such humility from a king, they worship him and give him precious gifts that the Early Fathers tell us symbolize his royalty (gold), divinity (incense), and future passion (myrrh).
God has infused in every human being a desire for Truth. Our responsibility is to search for this Truth. Our life becomes one long journey to Bethlehem (speaking metaphorically), because the end of every journey of faith takes us to Bethlehem – i.e., to Jesus Christ. It also leads us to only one response: to worship the Son of God, and to give to him the most precious gift we have – our very life.
You can read the “signs” of God’s love and presence all around you: in nature, in your family, in God’s holy scriptures, in the blessings you have received. We also find God’s love and presence in a very special way that he intended for us – the seven “signs” or Sacraments of his love. All these “signs” are unique, but primacy of honor goes to the Holy Eucharist. We can do only what the Magi did in this Presence: bow down in awe and adoration at a God who would humble himself to become one of us, and then find a way to gift us with his Presence in a sacramental way every day of our life! Epiphany is a never-ending reality!
KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! Mary shares her son with us for the first time, by making him known to the world through the poor and the outsiders (gentile magi and poor shepherds) (CCC #724). What are you doing to recognize your call to continue on your own “journey to Bethlehem”? How do you “listen” to God in order to see and hear his “signs” meant for you?
====
