THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD - Matthew 2:1-12
From old times, the solemnity of Epiphany has been considered a great feast, as important as Christmas. The Magi represent the Gentiles who recognise Jesus as the Messiah and Saviour. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul tells us that the plan of salvation (the mystery) “has now been revealed through the Spirit”. Indeed, the “pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body, and that the same promise has been made to them, in Jesus Christ, through the gospel.” (Ep 3:5-6). The promise made to the people of Israel was intended for all nations of the earth. Today, in this great feast, we celebrate God’s merciful love offered to all of us.
Through the story of the Magi who came from the East, Matthew presents the same truth taught by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians. The story of the Magi anticipates what will happen to Jesus when he is rejected and excluded from his people, suffering death on the cross. The early Church will go through the same experience of rejection and exclusion.
The Magi came from the East, the land of the rising sun, following a star that leads to Christ, the true light of the world. Despite the exhaustion of a long journey, they did not give up looking for the Messiah. They were filled with hope, and this hope reassured them in the pursuit of their goal: to find the Saviour that would bring peace to their souls. In their search, they allowed themselves to be guided by the Spirit that led them to Christ. By contrast, Herod, the king of the Jews, filled with jealousy, decided to get rid of the child Jesus. For that purpose, he was joined by the religious leaders of Jerusalem. They live in darkness, with their hearts full of malice. Indeed, “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.” (Jn 1:11) As a child, with his life in danger, Jesus had to find refuge in Egypt. Later on in life, as an adult, he would be sentenced to death on the cross for a crime that he did not commit. The high priest considered him a false prophet who deserved to die and took him to Pilate, the political authority, with the accusation of high treason. Jesus was rejected by his people and believed by the Gentiles. Walking on Jesus’ steps, the early Church suffered the same fate: rejected by the Jews, it was expelled from the Synagogue. Meanwhile, an increasingly large number of Gentiles entered the community of believers.
Let us join the psalmist in singing:
The kings of Tarshish and the sea coasts
shall pay him tribute.
The kings of Sheba and Seba
shall bring him gifts.
Before him all kings shall fall prostrate,
all nations shall serve him. (Psalm 72)
