Homily: January 8, 2023, The Epiphany of the Lord

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 The Christmas season is not over yet. Today we recall and reflect on the mysterious visit of the magi from the East.

The story of the three kings, who travelled from afar to visit and pay homage to poor baby Jesus in the silence of the night is a familiar story to many, including people who do not believe in God or Jesus, made popular through the songs and images used during Christmas.

To the secular world, the story is probably just a legend, a folktale, a fictional account. To us believers, we know it is a real event, but do we know what is the meaning and significance of this strange visitation?

Who are these magi, or wise men, or kings?

How did they know so surely about the birth of the king of the Jews?

Why were they so confident about following the star?

Every event leading up to and following from Christmas day seems magical. From the unexpected annunciation of Angel Gabriel of a long-expected promise, the unlikely birth of John the Baptist to a barren and elderly Elizabeth, the glorious angelic announcement to simple lowly shepherds, the divine birth taking place in a most humble, unimaginable setting even for common folks, and now, the visitation of powerful, knowledgeable, wealthy strangers who believed in the revelation and guidance of a bright star, who did not question the unusual reality they saw, a future king born in the worst environment, whose parents were neither royalty nor politically inclined. Whatever they saw, they believed, and they gave their highest respect, their best gifts.

Does any of these make sense?

May I repeat Angel Gabriel’s words, “For God, nothing is impossible.”

For the sake of our salvation, God makes the impossible, possible. He did not spring any surprises, He tried to help the Jews be prepared for this wonderful moment, He had been revealing all His plans through His prophets from long ago.

Seven hundred years before Jesus, it was already written as we heard from the first reading today, “all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the Lord.” 

Nine hundred years before Jesus, the psalmist already prophesied and composed today’s responsorial text, “The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts; the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute. All kings shall pay him homage, all nations shall serve him.”

Centuries after centuries, the Israelites sang these psalms in their synagogues. God prepared them all through these centuries and in His time, brought all these to fulfilment.

And we would think the Jews should be extremely excited and full of joy when they hear this news. Nay. The Gospel text tells us, “When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”

To them, that was not good news but bad news. No wonder God chose to bring Jesus into this world silently, away from the crowds, away from limelight, out of the norm.

No wonder God chose to announce His arrival to simple poor shepherds, for they will be filled with awe, not fear.

No wonder God invited strangers from afar to worship His Son and honor Him with gifts that told of His earthly life, His mission, for they will not decline.

It is now clearer, isn’t it? That the magi really represent the rest of the world, they represent the gentiles, those of us here who do not have Jewish heritage.

They were so sure about the birth of this King, because their hearts and minds were open to the revelation of God, through a most brilliant, unmistakable sign in the sky. They believed and trusted because they had wisdom.

God invited them, and they responded in faith. In the same way, God invites us. Because He wants us to be included in His salvific plan.

As St. Paul affirms in our second reading today, “… that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”

“It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.’

We are blessed to live in this generation, we are the generation made known the wonderful plan of God. We are the generation made known both the prophesies and the fulfilment. And we are ‘co-heirs’ in His plan. We are recipients of His fulfilment. We are truly blessed.

What shall we do about it?

Like the magi, let us respond to this blessing with wisdom. Trust and believe the impossible, follow the signs and go all the way, honor and worship the Lord in the simple, poor and humble. Amen.





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