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Q248: There are a lot of people in this Epiphany Story (Matt 2:1-12). Which one should I focus on to grasp the intent of the author?

There are some really interesting "characters" in the gospel scene we read about and listen to in today's gospel. First, there are the "wise men" or magi (where does it say there were only or even three?) from the East, who go out of their way and follow a star to kneel before Jesus. And they are not even Hebrews! Of course, they had been preceded by the shepherds in those nearby fields, presumably Hebrews, the first ones outside the family to kneel and adore this child Jesus - invited there by the angels. Then there is King Herod, who was "troubled" by the news of a newborn king of the Jews. He, too, wanted to "travel" to see this newborn king - but not to kneel; his reason is quite different for wanting feedback from the magi. Finally, there are the chief priests and scribes who know where the new ruler would be born, according to the prophecies - but they made no move at all to go, see, and kneel in his presence.

The last "character" in the episode is You. You are not simply a silent observer, being entertained by a good story. On the contrary, you are being invited into the scene. You are being asked to choose a role, one that is to stay with you for the rest of your life. This very same Jesus wants a personal relationship with you! So make your choice. Will you go out of our way to kneel before Jesus, and not just on Sundays? Will you accept the invitation to put aside for a few moments your duties in the nearby fields, and come adore Him? Or, will you go out of your way to reject him - perhaps by rejecting those through whom he sends his Truth, the Pope and the Magisterium of the Church - becoming a Herod in miniature? Finally, maybe you don't want a Messiah, or this "worship stuff" is boring to you, or you don't want to change your ways - so you make no move at all towards Jesus?

Know Your Catechism! We need to respond to the Presence of God in our history through the Incarnation, now revealed publicly to all in the Epiphany event (CCC #1171). This feast day celebration is special, because it shows the pagans coming to do homage, the "first fruits of the nations" (CCC #528). It is only by turning towards the Jews and accepting the messianic promise from and through them, that we are "worthy of the heritage of Israel" (ibid). Our life now becomes one of following Jesus and growing into his image.

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Gentiles ... Jews, Sharers of the Promise

In the second reading of today's Feast of the Epiphany, St. Paul reveals God's sacred plan: to unite and save in Christ's Mystical Body, both gentiles and Jews.

Usually, we think of Jews and Gentiles as incapable of merging. God intended quite otherwise. Edith Stein exemplifies that intention.

Edith Stein was born to devout Jewish parents at Wroclaw, Poland in 1891. As an adolescent she lost her faith in God, but gradually recovered it when she began to study philosophy. Eventually, after reading the autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila, she sought baptism as a Catholic in 1922.

Having finished her graduate studies, she took up teaching. Her brilliant conferences won her considerable note. In 1932 the Education Institute of Muenster, Germany engaged her as a regular lecturer in its philosophy department.

Edith lost this position after only a year, however. In 933 Nazi Germany enacted laws to exclude from professional positions men and women of Jewish birth. She was not too disappointed. Now, at least, she felt free to take a step she had long contemplated and became a cloistered Carmelite nun. As Sr. Teresa Benedict of the Cross she continued to write important books on philosophy and spirituality.

When the Nazis intensified their persecution of is Jews in 1938, Sister Teresa, for safety's sake, was sent to a monastery in Holland. But early in World War II the Nazis overran Holland as well. In a circular letter of 1942, the Holland Catholic bishops denounced the introduction there of the Nazi purge of Jews. Hitler's response was typical. In reprisal for the protest he arrested and sent to Auschwitz a number of priests and nuns in Holland who were of Jewish blood.

Sister Teresa Stein was one of the prisoners. She was gassed to death at Auschwitz that same August. In her prison both Jew and Gentile were called into the happier Kingdom of God's promise.

-Father Robert F. McNamara

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Q405: How can the legend of the visit of the Magi (Mt 2:1-12) relate to my life today?

Three weeks ago on the TV news there was a picture of our astronauts repairing a half-retracted, accordion-shaped solar array on the space station. That was quite a hazardous repair job they were undertaking, several hundred miles up in space. I could not help but think of my friend Fr. Jerry Fuller (†) who said well over a dozen years ago, "Jesus came to do a repair job on us."

Now there is a great image! We are only half completed. But our apparatus, our body-soul-spirit, has not fully blossomed, through our own fault. It is stuck, half-retracted like that solar array. We have not become "fully human"; we have not fully developed into the holy image of God that He created us to be. So along comes Jesus, deliberately taking on the hazardous job of helping us develop into the loving image of our Creator. So hazardous, in fact, that his "repair work" cost him his life.

The "Magi" in our gospel story also took a hazardous journey, as a result of their study of the stars. They came to Bethlehem to witness and adore the newborn king, following the guiding star. The hazards came from the dangers of a long journey, and from King Herod who was plotting to kill the newborn king, Jesus.

So at least one theme of many in this gospel clearly relates to our life today. Christ the King eventually gave his life as the price to "repair" us or show us how to function properly. Now we are on our journey through life. Will we join the many "Herods" out there, and remain less than fully human like them? Or will we use a life "repaired" by the Sacraments and Jesus' love, by choosing to become true disciples of Jesus? We have to choose!

KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! The Epiphany is the first manifestation of Jesus as Messiah and Son of God (CCC #528). The Magi are the "first fruits" of the pagan nations, welcoming the good news of salvation through the Incarnation (ibid.). Will our response to the Incarnation be as strong as that of these pagan Magi?

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Q561: Why is Matthew’s infancy narrative so different from Luke’s?

Only Matthew has the story about the Magi and the Star (Matthew 2:1-12). That ought to tip us off that there is a lot of symbolism to be found in today’s gospel. In turn, it means that Matthew is trying to bring out the theological significance of this wondrous birth.

Matthew points back to the Old Testament many times in his gospel, with the intention of showing how Jesus fulfills so many of the old prophecies. Two prophecies in particular would come to mind in Matthew’s Jewish Christian audience. First, they would recall Numbers 24:17, which foretells a star coming forth out of Jacob and a scepter rising out of Israel. These clearly point to one with authority of a king, one from the line of Jacob, a Messiah. The second prophecy is found in our first reading, Isaiah 60:1-6, which speaks of the light of the Lord arising over Israel, and all the nations bringing gifts and praise to the Lord.

Thus, the key symbol in the gospel is the star. In our story it becomes the sign of the new king who has been born, the Messiah. It is this star who compels the Magi to leave the Orient and follow the guiding light. The Magi enter the city of Jerusalem, but cannot see the star there, so they ask King Herod where the newborn king can be found. The chief priests advise Herod that the prophecies point to Bethlehem as the location (Micah 5:2), so Herod sends the Magi there so that he, too, can also discover the birthplace of this Messiah (who he sees as a political threat). When they leave Jerusalem, once again the Magi can see the star, and it guides them to the place of Jesus’ birth, where they adore him and give him gifts.

Therein lies the theological significance: the star is God’s guiding light, leading seekers to the long-awaited Messiah. The Magi (representing all the Gentile nations) follow a star and discover another star, the star of Jacob. Everyone who sincerely seeks truth will be led to Jesus, in whom lies all truth.

KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! The magi represent the first-fruits of the pagan nations who welcome the good news of salvation through the Incarnation (CCC #528). Note that in Matthew’s gospel Mary makes the Word known first to gentiles (the magi) (CCC #724).

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