"The Epiphany of the Lord"
Epiphany, also know as "Three Kings Day" or "El Dia de Los Reyes," is ordinarily celebrated each year on January 6. From the Christian viewpoint, an “epiphany” is a “manifestation” of the Lord.
The Gospel reading for the Epiphany this year is from Matthew (2:1-12), where the Church celebrates the manifestation of Jesus, after his birth, to the magi from the east who followed Jesus’ “star at its rising and came [to Jerusalem] to pay Jesus homage” as the “new born King of the Jews.” The magi were non-Jews or gentiles and foreigners to the land of Jerusalem where Jesus was born. The Greek term magoi, as recorded in Matthew, is usually interpreted in English as “magi.”* They were thought to be scholars of the Persian priestly caste of Zoroastrianism, who were also astrologers or practioners of the occult.
There is no mention in this passage from Matthew of either the number “three" or "kings." Later traditions identifying the magi as “kings” (“We three kings of orient are . . . “), may have arisen from references in the Hebrew Scriptures such as Psalm 72:10 (“May the kings of Tarshish and the islands bring tribute, May the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!”), Isaiah 49:7 ("When kings see you, they shall stand up, and princes shall bow down...), and Isaiah 60:10 (“Foreigners shall rebuild your walls, their kings shall minister to you;”). It is believed that the tradition adding the number “three” arose from Matthew including the three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh brought by the magi in homage to Jesus as Lord; as well as the passage from Isaiah 60:6 (“Caravans of camels shall cover you, dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; All from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and heralding the praises of the LORD"). Later tradition identified these three kings as Caspar, Balthazar, and Melchior.
As stated in previous postings, “all stories are true and some actually happened.” The issue is not whether the story of the Epiphany is historically and factually true. Rather, the more important religious question is what do you experience God saying to you in this story at this time in your life? What is the divine meaning of this story for you, both individually and by being part of a community of faith.** Also, the story may have a certain meaning within the context of your life now, but a different or deeper meaning for you at another time or within a different context of your life. By choosing to only read and interpret scripture literally can deprive you of the revelation of its deeper metaphorical and symbolic meaning.
Reflection:
You are invited to ask yourself and reflect on questions arising from this epiphany story, for example: Who or what do you recognize as your ultimate “Lord”? Who or what do you pay homage to? What “star” guides you in your thoughts, words, and actions? Do you ever fail or refuse to see or follow this star? In other words, in Matthew’s story, why did only the magi, who were foreigners or strangers to the region, recognize and follow the light from the “star” that led them to their Lord, where others in the region neither saw the star nor followed it? Which person are you? What prevents you from following the star—the light of Christ— as a way that can lead you to God?
God, who is ultimate Mystery and Being itself, is the sustaining power of love at the core of all reality. "For in [God] we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). Perhaps you may recognize that Christ's light—Christ's presence— is not something external to you but, rather, is already within and at the depth of your being, waiting to be brought into your consciousness, released, and particularly manifested in and through you to others? Do you also seek to see, recognize, and experience this light of Christ in others, especially the foreigner, the stranger, the outcast, the marginalized, the poor, or those persons who are outside of your cultural groups, or who you perceive as being "different" from you? Can you accept that we are all children of God, sisters and brothers, members of Christ's body, who are interrelated, interdependent, and called to wholeness in and through God’s love, and to proclaim and witness in love and compassion to God's way of truth, peace, justice, healing, forgiveness, and salvation for the world?
What gifts have you been blessed with, waiting to be offered to the glory of God for the common good?
There are things that happened in your life in the past that you cannot change. You only exist and live in each present moment. It is not too late for you to look for your star—Christ's guiding light—and to begin following it now.
* The King James Version of the Bible interprets the Greek term magoi in English as "wise men."
** Reading the reference notes in your Bible, such as those found in the New American Bible Revised Edition ("NABRE"), or commentaries or reflections by authoritative scripture scholars, may assist you in better understanding the meaning intended by the author of the scriptural passage to the community to which it was written. Of course, you should always remain open to the promptings and guidance of the Holy Spirit that dwells within you.