Isaiah. 60:1-6/Ps. 71:1-2,7-8,10-13/Eph.3:2-3,5-6/Mt.2:1-12

The word ‘epiphany’ means ‘showing forth, ‘manifestation. Today’s feast announces that God is always showing himself forth to us, manifesting and revealing himself to us.

God is always providing us with a star and a light. For us, that light is Jesus himself. He said of himself, “I am the light of the world.” The light of Jesus, which is the light of God, shines upon us in a great variety of ways. 

All things came into being through Jesus, the Word. Thus, the whole created universe can reveal the light of his presence to us. 

His light shines upon us in a special way through the church. It shines through the church’s Scriptures and the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. His light is also shown in the community of faith.

Unfortunately, we live in a time when it is often easier to see the darkness of the night. It can be harder to notice the lights that shine in the darkness. The magi from the East went on a long and difficult journey in search of this child.

Having found him, they submitted to the mystery of his otherness; they worshiped him and gave him their gifts. This child is now risen Lord.

The figure of Herod in the gospel reading shows us a different kind of response. It is a response to the presence of an epiphany. 

When a new and fuller light appeared, Herod sought to extinguish it. He did not hear the call of Emmanuel. Instead of abandoning his false gods, he was determined to inflict death on this Epiphany. 

To some degree, we are all capable of extinguishing the light of God’s goodness, found in the lives of others.   On our journey of faith, we will face darkness at times. These forces may try to extinguish the light of our faith. Our faith will be put to the test.

That is why Jesus taught us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation. Deliver us from evil.” Yet, we always journey in the conviction that the light shines in the darkness. The darkness will not ultimately overcome it.

If we keep turning towards the light of the Lord’s presence, he will keep us faithful to the end.

Beloved in Christ, Today’s feast invites all of us to yield to the Lord. We should not give him material gifts. Instead, offer the gift of our hearts, minds, and wills.

This will inevitably involve a death of some kind. It is a dying to our various false gods. Nonetheless, it is a death that is ultimately life-giving. In surrendering to the Lord, we will get from his fullness, grace upon grace. 

An Epiphany is a revelation of God. It calls for a humble response. It requires journeying out of ourselves toward a great light and a fuller truth.

Let us align ourselves with the magi. They wish to journey towards Emmanuel, God with us. They are open to being changed by that meeting. It is in the Eucharist that we meet Emmanuel is a special way. 

The Eucharist is our weekly, our daily, Epiphany. The Eucharist is the moment when we surrender to the Lord. This surrender requires us to experience dying. In doing so, we can get from his fullness.

The Magi are said to be a symbol of hope. They represent hope for all who struggle to reach the Lord by strange routes. 

These wise men were seekers. There was a longing in them. It caused them to leave what they were familiar with. They set out for a land that was unknown to them. 

They didn’t travel in total darkness. They were guided on their journey by a small source of light, a star. They speak to the seeker, the searcher, in each one of us. By nature, we are restless. 

We are always searching for meaning, for answers to questions. We are always looking for a greater light, for truth, for love. At the root of this restlessness, this searching, is a longing that only God can satisfy. 

Saint Augustine once wrote that our hearts are restless until they rest in God. As we try to be faithful to this deep longing within us, God sends us a light to guide us.

He doesn’t simply send us the light of a small star, which was the light that guided the wise men. God has sent us a greater light, the light of his Son, Jesus. He once said of himself, “I am the light of the world.” Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness.

The wise men were led by the light of a star towards this light of the world. The infant king was not just of the Jews but of all humanity. 

We are fortunate to have the opportunity to journey towards God in this light. The light of Jesus, now risen Lord, shines upon us. Each day we can open ourselves up to this light. God gives all of us light, just as he gave light to the magi.

The Magi were led by a star toward this greater Light. This Light is the infant King, not only of the Jews, but of all humanity. How blessed we are to make our journey in that same light today.

May we open our hearts daily to the light of Christ. God continues to give light to all who seek Him. He does this just as He did to the Magi.