This Week's Homily

Solemnity of the Epiphany

Gifts for Jesus…Challenges for Us 

Msgr Thomas Gervasio

Today’s solemnity of the Lord’s manifestation, or Epiphany, has a rather exotic quality. Think of the stir caused by the Magi, most likely Persian astrologers, and Zoroastrian priests, as they ventured into the sleepy town of Bethlehem.
 
We know the Magi were men because they lost their way and had to stop for directions. Some scholars submit that there could have been many Magi in the caravan, but tradition maintains there were three since St. Matthew mentions three gifts. 
 
This feast celebrates the very moment God gave “Joy to the World”—not only to Israel, represented by the shepherds—but to the whole world: the foreigners, the Gentiles, represented by the Magi. 
 
In their Epiphany adventure, the Magi encounter two kings. Their first audience was with Herod, a king haunted by extreme paranoia. When his advisors tell him that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem, he sees a threat to his power. While wishing to appear good in the eyes of Magi, Herod is in fact, deceitful, making evil schemes. We know that this paranoia would bring him to order the slaughter of the Holy Innocents. 
 
Isn’t it strange that Herod’s advisors, the chief priests, and scribes did not accompany the Magi after the audience? They were able to ascertain the coming of the Messiah. They knew the hopes and dreams of God’s people were being realized, but they made not the slightest move. Already we see the resistance, the apathy, and opposition to the Lord. 
 
Upon their arrival, the Magi offer three gifts which identify the person and mission of Jesus and also have a meaning for us.
 
Gold denotes the Christ’s Kingship. It is a reminder of the obedience we owe Him. Our Lord’s whole life was one of complete obedience to the Father and so it is a virtue expected of us. But obedience has many negative connotations since it goes against our sense of personal freedom. No one wants to be subservient to another. 
 
But for a disciple, obedience is not subservience or repression. It is an attitude of the heart. It means putting God’s will above personal desires, out of a deep-seated love for him. Obedience is not merely a duty or obligation but a heartfelt response to God’s love and grace. Love, not obligation should be our motive. 
 
The gift of frankincense points to the divinity of Christ. Frankincense was used in temple worship and is used even today in the liturgy. The fragrant smoke rising in the sanctuary symbolizes our prayers rising heavenward. It also conveys a sense of the transcendent, reminding us that we are in no ordinary place at Mass but in fact, between heaven and earth. For us, it is a summons to approach our worship and reception of the Eucharist with reverence, sincerity, and humility. 
 
Myrrh is perhaps the most curious gift. It is a resin that was used in Jewish burial rites and so it foreshadows the cross. The Lord tells us that those who wish to be his disciple must take up their cross each day and follow him. The Lord’s way is not always the easy way but involves sacrifice, to carry the cross and not drag it through life. 
 
Myrrh was also thought to have medicinal properties and so it prefigures the Lord’s healing ministry. For us, it is a summons to do what we can to bring healing into lives that are hurting and broken; to take steps to reconciliation; to carry out the spiritual and corporal works of mercy in imitation of the Lord.
 
Filial Obedience, Sincere Worship, Sacrifice and Healing…these can be our gifts to the Infant King. It’s no wonder then that St. John Paul II called Epiphany, “the Feast of God’s Challenge!”