Epiphany is a mystery

image by Sebastiano Iervolino, Pixabay

"All of us are like the magi, seekers, inquirers, filled with wonder, looking for goodness and truth.  And we, too, follow stars — we are stargazers! 

But this can be a little tricky! Sometimes we are blinded by too many stars, and we become starry-eyed!"

We celebrate the great Feast of the Epiphany this Sunday. We are still in the Christmas season, celebrating that the Word has become flesh and dwells among us.  The word epiphany means “manifestation,” or “appearance,” or “revelation” itself.  Jesus has been born into the world — God has appeared, God is made “manifest” among us.  And not just for Israel, but for all the nations.  That is the Epiphany mystery.

Isaiah the prophet speaks of this and recognizes that the “glory of the Lord” shines upon Israel, while the world is covered in “darkness” and “thick clouds.”

But Isaiah also sees beyond this darkness, to a time when all nations will stream towards the light of Jerusalem, when “the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.  Caravans of camels shall fill you . . . all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the Lord.”

The prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, of course, in Jesus Christ — the light of the nations.  And that brings us to the Feast of the Epiphany.

We are introduced to “magi from the east” who are seeking “the newborn king of the Jews.”  These magi represent the longing of the Gentiles for the Messiah — the longing of the world in darkness for the light of Christ.

The word magi has roots in ancient Persia and refers to an astronomer or an astrologer.  Perhaps a better understanding of the magi is to call them the learned men and women of other cultures who seek—without knowing it—the true and living God.  What the Gospel writers want us to consider is that all ancient philosophy, all ancient religions, all ancient learning and wisdom has been seeking this “unknown God.” Remember St. Paul preaching in Athens at the temple of the “unknown God.”  Now this God is revealed — in light, in a star.

The magi “saw this star at its rising,” and they have come to Jerusalem to look for the child.

Interestingly, while the magi are in Jerusalem, they lose sight of the star.  Their own observations of nature could only take them so far.  They need Revelation, they need the Scriptures, to find their way.

Herod inquires of his chief priests and scribes — experts in the Law and Prophets— where the Christ is to be born.  They respond, “In Bethlehem of Judea, as written in the prophets.”

When the magi move forward, the star, the light, reappears, and they are “overjoyed” because it leads them to Bethlehem and to Jesus.  In gratitude, they prostrate themselves, present their gifts, and worship the new-born king.

All of us are like the magi, seekers, inquirers, filled with wonder, looking for goodness and truth.  And we, too, follow stars — we are stargazers!  But this can be a little tricky!  Sometimes we are blinded by too many stars, and we become starry-eyed!

Or, we focus on the brightest and most brilliant star, only to learn later that it was a “shooting star,” a comet or meteor—full of light and promise, but short-lived.  Such stars take us in the wrong direction, towards pleasures and behaviors —false gods that can be destructive.

The real star — the revelation of the Scriptures — leads us to Christ, and this star will not disappoint us.  It promises, and it delivers.

A little note about the ending of the Epiphany Gospel.  Avoiding Herod, the Gospel tells us that the magi “departed for their country by another way.”

By another way . . . when we truly encounter Christ, the new-born king, our life changes, and we travel a new way — a new way that leads to salvation.  We follow the star . . . the star that leads to Jesus Christ, our Savior, who brings peace, joy and hope to all.

— Monsignor Patrick S. Brennan