B: Epiphany of Our Lord (7 Jan 2018) - FOLLOWING THE TRUE STAR - Mt 2:1-12

We are celebrating today the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. Traditionally, it is attached to the three events in the life of Jesus when his glory is manifested to the public, namely, the Visit of the Magi, the Baptism of Jesus, and the Miracle at Cana. However, in recent practice it is localized only to the first event, which begins the week of the closing of the Christmas Season. This is likewise known as the adoration of the baby Jesus by the so-called “3 Kings” or “Wise Men”.

Sadly, in our Matthean Gospel today we observe that there are at least three popular notions on these men that are missing in our text: they are not 3, not kings, and not wise. The assumption that they are three has been promoted on account of the 3 gifts they brought: “gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt. 2:11); consequentially associating to 3 specific gift-bearers, Melchor, Gaspar, and Balthazar, respectively. They are referred to as kings because of the Old Testament prophecy that kings will march to Jerusalem to witness her glory as we read in the First Reading: “Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance” (Isa 60:3). They are held as wise because of their intelligence in reading the peculiar events leading them to the exact place of Jesus’ birth.

In contrast to all of these, the Greek version of Mt 2:1 simply describes them as “magoi apo anatolon” (literally “magi from the east”). Magi, in the Persian and Babylonian tradition, are knowledgeable men on astrology, magic, and occult practices such as reading of extraordinary signs and interpretation of dreams. In fact, in Acts 13:6-8, the same Greek word is appellated to the magician Elymas. It is, then, safe to say that magi are ordinary people—not kings, albeit sages in their own right—just like the shepherds (cf. Lk 2:15-18) who only wished to see the future king in person.

Additionally, the gifts they offer do not automatically denote that they are rich men or persons of influential status. It is often preached that these gifts are more symbolic than real: the gold for Jesus' future kingly glory, frankincense for his priestly ministry, and myrrh for his sacrificial prophetic self-giving. Conversely, the real gift that the 3 magi offered is their zeal, ardor, and eagerness to pay homage to Jesus. It is their untiring effort along the way that counts the most.

Appropriately, in our present political society where populism is the new rule of the game, the public simply (and almost blindly) follows charismatic personalities and shows its undying allegiance to them even if their political stance, words, and decisions are rationally and morally unfounded. The 3 magi are renown to be “wise” not because they followed King Herod, but because they disobeyed him when they had discovered his malicious intent.

More than following earthly leaders especially when their true colors are already manifested, we are then called to be like the 3 magi who stood their ground against the earthly king and faithfully obeyed the voice of the heavenly King as what the star and their dreams directed them to do. True wisdom, hence, goes where the Providential Wisdom of God goes.

However, this task is a tall order since it is difficult to discover when a star or a dream reveals God’s Will. A clear answer to this is revealed to us by today’s feast: Epiphany is God’s shining! Coming from the two Greek words “epi” (on/upon) and “phaino” (to shine), epiphany is the shining forth of the glory of God… His public manifestation and revelation. Concretely, where God-values shine the most, there too is His Will.

At our celebration of the Epiphany of the Lord, may we be able to reflect daily God-values, discerning which societal events and situations promote peace, love, and unity. May this be our ongoing disposition as we begin 2018 with a firm resolve to follow the true Star in the heavens, and not the stars we nominate here on earth. Doing this, we are presenting Jesus the best gift we can ever give him: our daily effort to fight for the Shining of His Glory.

- Rex Fortes, CM