The wise men from the East: searching for the Lord and proclaiming the Good News

Listening to the Spirit

Lord Jesus, in imitation of the wise men from the East, may we also adore you and never go empty-handed. May we bring you the gold of our offerings, the incense of our fervent prayer, and the myrrh of the sacrifices we make to remain faithful to you. May we always find you next to your Blessed Mother Mary, whom we always want to honor and venerate.

Amen.

Listening to the Word

Mt 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.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.” Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, thatItoomaygoanddohim homage.” After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,untilitcameandstopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

Reflection

The church celebrates the solemnity of the Epiphany or manifestation of our Lord. It commemorates the revelation of the child Jesus to all the peoples represented in the wise men of the East. Since the beginning of the church, Epiphany has been considered a missionary celebration; it means the Christian announcement given to the Gentiles (those who were not Jews).

Today's Gospel reminds us of our missionary commitment too. The Gospel of Matthew uses the story of the Magi with a theological and missionary function. It reminds us of our missionary commitment in two ways: first, our search for the Messiah, and second, the proclamation of the Good News. The Lord has been manifested to us who know Him, yet we are committed to making Him known to those who do not know Him yet.

The Gospel speaks not so much about how we announce the manifestation of the Lord but how we receive it. It narrates the passionate search of the magi, a search illuminated by the star, which led them to the truth: the Messiah, the Christ. In the Bible, the wise astrologers were people full of science and wisdom who did not get tired of searching for knowledge and truth. At the time of Jesus' birth, the most renowned and wise were those from the areas of Persia and Babylon, in the East, present-day Iran, Iraq, and Arabia. Babylon was the homeland of astrology in New Testament times.

Today we continue to live the mission announcing to those who still do not know the Messiah who has already come. This knowledge invites us to communicate it and to say it either to people who are far from us or to people who are close to us. The Magi teach us that we can begin from far away to reach Christ. They are rich men, wise foreigners thirsty for knowledge, who set out on a long and dangerous journey that takes them to Bethlehem. We, too, are invited to be new magicians before that child who, full of love, wanted to be born for our salvation. In the same way that the magi go to the Lord, not to receive, but to give, we can ask ourselves if we have brought a present to Jesus or if we are going into his presence empty-handed.

Like the magicians, God invites us to generously offer something for our younger brothers as a sign of our love for them: that we care for the sick, dedicate time to those who are alone, care for our elders, and console those who suffer.