Sunday Breakfast with the Word Feast of Epiphany
Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12
The term Epiphany is of Greek origin, epiphaninen. It is a verb which means “to reveal,” or “to manifest.”The word epiphany means “manifestation” or “revelation.” The Church celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, represented by the magi (see Simeon’s prophecy in Luke 2:32).
For some, Epiphany also commemorates the baptism of Jesus (Luke 3:21-22) and His turning water into wine (John 2:1-11) manifestations of Christ’s divinity to the world.
For some scholars, epiphany celebrates the many ways through which Jesus has revealed himself to us and our world. These include the three events that bring to light his mission and divinity: the visitation of the three kings or Magi (Mtt 2, 10-12), the baptism of Jesus (Mk 1, 9-11), and the miracle at Cana (John 2, 1-11).Today, the Church celebrates the feast of the Epiphany; that the newborn Saviour was revealed to the whole world through the wise men.
The Gospel of today from Matthew is about the visitation of the three wise kings. They came to adore and offer gifts to the new born king, Jesus Christ. This gospel is full of many lessons for us to learn.
No Jew was Among
Did you discover that no Jew was able to dictate the birth of the new born king and God did not in any way involve them in this revelation which would have been the main thing God would have done, since the new born king is born in a Jewish background.
The chief priests and scribes, who know the scriptures, did nothing to seek out the Messiah, whom they have determined to be only five miles (eight km.) away in Bethlehem (v. 5).
Sometimes, God’s people ignore the Messiah, while pagans eagerly seek him out. Sometimes those who go to church do not truly seek God. Therefore, God works with those who seek him in spirit and truth.
The Identity of the Magi
Secondly, God in his wisdom revealed himself first to men from non Jewish background, the magi. It signals that God loves Gentiles as well as Jews and that God’s plan of salvation includes the Gentiles too.
The word magi is found in Acts 8:9-24 and 13:6-11, where it is translated magician or sorcerer. From the perspective of the Jewish people, magi work magic using demonic powers.
They are far from the kingdom of God, which makes these magi especially useful for Matthew’s purposes as he shows how the Messiah brings salvation even to Gentiles who might be magicians or sorcerers.
Epiphany challenges us to reconsider all the people whom we see as outside the boundaries of God’s love. It challenges us to abandon our tribalism (racially, nationally, denominationally, etc.) and to expand our tents to welcome even those whom we would prefer not to love.
Seeking Through Jerusalem.
Thirdly, these magi come to Jerusalem, because the capital city is the logical place to look for a king, before they found him Bethlehem.
This shows that Sometimes what we look for in life are wrapped in those things we have less regard for. Sometimes the person you disregard today may be the breadwinner of the family tomorrow.
Jerusalem is a big city and capital city but not the birthplace of the messiah. Sometimes where you think nothing good can come is where the good is.
Genuine Worship
Fourthly, the wise men came to offer Christ a genuine worship as the King of kings. Therefore, the epiphany teaches us that our worship must be sincere. It must come from our hearts like that of the wise men.
It must not be like the proposed false worship of King Herod. So, the gifts seem odd for a baby. We expect baby clothes and toys. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh, however, speak to Jesus’ future.
The Expensive Gifts
We can interpret the gifts of Gold, frankincense and myrrh etc., as prophesying Jesus’ future. Gold is a gift for Kings; frankincense (an ancient air purifier and perfume), which the priests offer to God in Temple worship (Ex. 30:37); and myrrh (an oriental remedy for intestinal worms in infants), which the High Priests use as an anointing oil (Ex. 30:23), and to prepare bodies for burial.
These gifts were not only expensive but portable. Perhaps Joseph sold the gifts to finance the Holy Family’s trip to Egypt. The gifts might have been God’s way of providing for the journey that lay ahead.
Second, we must be ready to offer Jesus something precious. We must not appear before the Lord empty handed.
So, we must ask ourselves today, what do I offer the Lord for his goodness to me? The only gift we must offer God for his goodness to us is ourselves.
It is the gift of holy life, the gift of love, the gift of obedience, the gift of humility, the gift of peace to our families and the gift of sacrifice for one another. Also, we must learn to be generous to others as the wise men are to Jesus.
Follow The Star
Fifth, we must learn to continue to follow the star and light that God shows us. So, we have to pay attention to His directions.
Therefore, we must not allow any form of deception or distraction on our journey by the Herods of this world.
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In essence, trusting in God, we must continue to look out for His star and light along the part of our journey to eternity.
Any time we plunge ourselves into confusion or come to the cross road of life, we must wait until the star of Christ appears to show us the way we must proceed. This is simply what is referred to as divine guidance in our lives.
Conclusion
1.From the above Epiphany, it is so revealing that God reveals Himself to those who truly seek Him. You can see the Magi were not insiders; they were outsiders, they were not among the highly rated Jewish religious leaders who must have studied the scriptures for a long time, nor the pharisees, who claim good knowledge and relationship with God, yet they searched sincerely, and God met them on the way.
This teaches us that God is not far from anyone who seeks Him with an honest heart. What matters is not where you come from, but how deeply you desire God.
This is why In Matthew 7:7, Jesus says Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find. He did not say, seek and you may or may not.
When we seek God’s intervention with faith, without fear, doubt or losing faith along the way, miracles and breakthroughs meet us along the way.
2.Knowledge without spirituality is emptiness. The priests and the Jewish leaders knew the Scriptures but did not move an inch toward Bethlehem. There was no attempt to seek the Messiah.
Knowledge without obedience leads nowhere.
Epiphany reminds us that going to church is not enough, our hearts must still be searching and responsive. We have to be able to read a lot of signs within us and around us.
3.The Magi went to Jerusalem first, but Jesus was not there. This tells us that sometimes we look for answers in “big places,” yet God hides His blessings in humble corners. This is why many of us at the end lose their blessings and answers to prayers.
God often works outside our expectations. That thing you are despising because for you it is small, that place you don’t want to go, because it is not a big country or because the place is poor, could be the place God can finally elevate you.
Never despise small beginnings, overlooked businesses, services or overlooked places. Bethlehem moments change lives.
4.When we read about the epiphany, it tells us something very special about our spirituality. Did you discover that the Magi did not come empty-handed? They offered costly gifts with reverent hearts.
This is telling us that our worship today is not about display but total surrender. We have to truly worship God by offering our time, love, obedience, and holiness to God without pretense.
Sometimes we choose to offer our times to pleasures, frivolities, partying, time for immorality and a lot of wrong doings, but we fail to offer a single time for God, that we said that we love, yet we say, we love Him.
We become inactive to prayers, but active elsewhere, yet when anything happens to us, we come back to blame God. True worship is sincere and sacrificial.
5.I am of the view that the gifts they magi offered may have financed the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt. When you give generously to God, He uses it not only for worship but for future provision. Nothing offered to God is ever wasted. We can save lives by a little generosity done today.
6.Do we also observe that the star did not stop until the Magi reached Jesus.
If you want to reach your destination in life, you must follow your star, consistently.
If you want to build your relationship with God, you have to continue visiting the Blessed Sacrament, saying your rosary always, and keep on doing the good things you do, without losing faith.
We have to understand that God’s light must be followed continuously. Faith is a journey, not a one-time event.
When life becomes confusing, wait patiently for God’s light again. He always shows the next step at the right time.
7.Do not let distractions divert your destiny. Herod pretended to worship but intended destruction. Not everyone who sounds good to you means well. Infact not everyone who comes to you with a sweet mouth, truly loves you. Some are actually expecting your destruction , failure and downfall. Do not be distracted. You have to focus on your star.
Epiphany teaches us discernment. Stay focused on God’s purpose and refuse to be distracted by fear, deception, or human agendas.
The Epiphany teaches us that as we become serious in life, following our star, these distractions will come once in a while. We have to focus.
So, the Epiphany invites us to seek sincerely, worship deeply, give generously, follow faithfully, and trust God’s guidance daily. When we do, Christ will always reveal Himself to us, just as He did to the Magi.
🙏 May the Star of Christ guide your steps this new year. Happy Sunday and Happy New Year!
Read More
Epiphany of the Lord: The Manifestation of the Child Jesus
God’s revelation to the World: Feast of the Epiphany
