Epiphany

St Luke tells of the shepherds who lived close by, and came to seek out Jesus in Bethlehem because of the message of an angel who appeared to them. This Sunday we have St Matthew telling us of the wise men, the Magi, coming from the east, seeking the King of the Jews because they ‘saw his star when it rose.’ So we have these two groups, local shepherds and foreigners from the east, being drawn to the child born in Bethlehem.

Matthew writes: And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose, went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. These Magi were led to Jesus through their observation of creation; perhaps they were astronomers or astrologers. It was through their study, their reading of the signs in the sky, and also through making enquiries of the Jewish scriptures, that they were led to Jesus.

The Magi, when they found Jesus with Mary, fell down and worshipped him. The word used for worship, proskyneo, literally means to bow down, to prostrate before someone. In the Gospel of Matthew, he uses this term for the kind of expression of adoration and veneration that you give to God and God alone:

‘The implication is that they recognise that Jesus is not just the king of the Jews, they are not just venerating him as king, they are worshipping him as divine, as the divine king.’ [Brant Pitre]

Today God, in various ways, is constantly drawing all people to discover his Son Jesus.

The word Epiphany comes from the Greek epiphaneia which means ‘appearance’ or ‘manifestation’ or ‘showing’. As we begin this year, we need to be people who are open to the ways in which Jesus reveals himself to us today. Jesus is wanting us to discover him and know him more deeply. When we kneel before the crib this weekend and see the figures of the Magi, let us be like them, and bow down and worship him — acknowledge him as our Lord:

‘The Magi gaze in deep wonder at what they see: heaven on earth, earth in heaven, man in God, God in man, one whom the whole universe cannot contain now enclosed in a tiny body. As they look, they believe and do not question, as their symbolic gifts bear witness: incense for God, gold for a king, myrrh for one who is to die.’ [Peter Chrysologus]

What are we going to give? What will we offer to Jesus?

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would give a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.