This Sunday we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord, the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. We hear of \u201cwise men from the East\u201d (Mt 2:1) who travel to Jerusalem and Judea to pay homage to the newborn \u201cking of the Jews\u201d (Mt 2:2). They follow a star that rose in the East and has led them all the way to Bethlehem. As we have heard, the revelation of Christ\u2019s birth is first made known to the shepherds keeping watch in their fields. If the shepherds represent Israel, the Magi surely stand for all the gentile nations to whom Christ also wills to reveal Himself. Indeed, Christ comes to unite all people with Himself so Isaiah\u2019s prophecy may be fulfilled: \u201cNations shall come to your light, they all gather together, they come to you\u201d (Is 60:3-4).<\/p>\n
The Magi show that Christ wants to be known by us, and provides signs for all who seek Him with goodwill. He is not satisfied with His native Israel alone, but pursues everyone unceasingly until all nations have been gathered to Himself. Christ yearns for relationship with us, and to save us from our sins. That is the reason He came in the flesh – so that we may know God. It is true, He comes in the quiet of the night, silently, and unannounced. But for those who seek Him with their whole heart He provides signs clear and numerous as the stars. The Magi recognize the signs God has given them. Even though they are not members of the Old Covenant, they nevertheless respond to God\u2019s invitation to communion with Him. St. Paul notes, \u201cGentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise of Christ Jesus through the Gospel\u201d (Eph 3:6). They see the unusual star and know it must be some sign. Ironically, Herod and other Jewish leaders were not able to recognize God\u2019s signs. We must not fall into the trap of thinking because we are already Christians we do not have to pay attention to God\u2019s will in our lives. Like the Magi we must always be alert, and observant of the promptings of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n
The Magi bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh for the baby boy they have been searching for. These gifts point to Christ\u2019s kingship (gold), priestly office (frankincense), and eventual death (myrrh to anoint His body). I think they also serve as a model for how we are to worship. Christ was born humbly in little more than a cave, but that did not stop Him from accepting the best the magi had to offer Him. Even though God is in no need of us, let us nevertheless strive to always give Him our best. Let us always serve Him and our fellow man with as much love as we can muster. Let us never be satisfied with how much we love. Let us aim to grow in love, virtue, and goodwill towards all everyday of our lives, until the Lord finally calls us to Himself.<\/p>\n
Kevin Ponte<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 St. Joseph Seminary, Edmonton, Alberta<\/p>\n Fot. Freely.com<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1949,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,17,18],"tags":[151,142,124,150],"class_list":["post-1948","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-strona-glowna-najnowsze","category-strona-glowna-slider","tag-epiphany","tag-kevin_ponte","tag-lord","tag-magi"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n