Christ revealed to the nations
Epiphany of the Lord
Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12
Today’s liturgy centers on the profound mystery of Christ, as highlighted in the second reading. This mystery, once hidden, has now been revealed by the Spirit of God to the Church: that the Gentiles, alongside the descendants of Abraham, are co-heirs to God’s promises (Eph 3:6). How did this mystery come about?
The Old Testament contains three key promises made to Abraham: offspring, land (Gen 13:15-16), and an ideal king of justice—the Messiah (Isa 11:1-5). The Pentateuch concludes with the fulfillment of the first two promises. In Deuteronomy 34:1-4, Moses, a descendant of Abraham and leader of a vast nation, stands atop Mount Nebo, gazing upon the Promised Land—a gift to the descendants of his once childless ancestor. How about the third promise?
The promise of an ideal king of justice took longer time to realise but its fulfillment finally arrived with the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, during King Herod’s reign. Jesus’ birth lights the darkness and gloom that covered the earth. From then on, the light of Christ shines upon the Church, drawing nations and kings, symbolized by the Magi from the East (see Isa 60:1).
The first disciples of Jesus - all of Jewish origin - faced a shocking paradox. Their countrymen rejected the awaited Messiah when He came, but the Gentiles accepted Him with joy. Nobody expressed this better than the Apostle to the Nations in his letter to the Romans (see Rom. 9:1-4). Today's Gospel presents this paradox in the form of a story filled with contrasts:
* On the one hand, we have the joy of the Gentiles, on the other hand, the fear of Herod and Jerusalem. This fear had tragic consequences. Herod murdered innocent children (Matt. 2:16-18), and the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem condemned Christ to death (John 11:48-51);
* Jesus was born with the title “the king of the Jews”, but Herod had to butter the Roman Emperor up to gain this title.
* Searching the skies (science) led the magi to Christ, but knowledge of prophecies did not bring the chief priests and scribes to Jesus.
* The Gentiles overcame a great distance to get to Jesus, but Herod, the chief priests and scribes, and the people of Jerusalem could not make less than a two-hour pilgrimage to Bethlehem.
* The Gentiles worshipped the Messiah from the house and lineage of David, But Herod claiming the throne of David and Jerusalem, the city of David did not go to worship Him.
That historical tragedy of the chosen people is aptly expressed by John the Evangelist: "He came to his own, and his own did not receive him" (John 1:11). Unfortunately, this tragedy is re-enacted in the lives of those who consciously reject the Good News and fight against the Church of Christ. Instead of going to Bethlehem, they prefer to persist in their unbelief. The Magi from the East stand in opposition to this attitude. They acknowledge Christ as their Lord, place gifts at His feet, and are led home by God's Providence.
I trust that you will be among those who acknowledge Christ as the Lord of history and the Savior of humanity and offer yourself to Him. May Divine Providence lead you through life through "another way”.