Journeying with the Magi

Journeying with the Magi 

January 2, 2022    The Epiphany of the Lord - ABC

by Dcn. Bob Bonomi   

Happy New Year! Merry Christmas! Happy Epiphany.

Today we celebrate all three – the Christmas season, the beginning of the New Year, and the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord. In the United States the Epiphany is celebrated on the Sunday between January 2 and January 8, which this year means today, January 2nd.  

But elsewhere in the world, the Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th – the twelfth day of Christmas, and that’s when gifts are exchanged, not Christmas.  In case you didn’t know, the song about the 12 Days of Christmas was actually written to teach the Catholic faith during a time in England when Catholics were being persecuted.  And NO, don’t ask me after Mass what each day means – I can’t even sing the song without the Muppets singing along with me.

It is common that most years we reflect on the Epiphany as being the first of three incidents where the divinity of Jesus was revealed to the world, the other two being at Jesus’ baptism and the miracle at Cana.  But this year, there have been three questions which have occupied my thoughts:
•    When did the Magi come to see Jesus?
•    Why did the Magi come?
•    Why did I come here today?

First, when did the Magi come?

I was asked this question by one of our parishioners a week or so ago, and I admit that for most of my life, I’ve equated the coming of the Magi with Jesus still being in the manger – sort of like visiting hours at the local maternity ward.  The shepherds came, oohed and aahed over the newborn, then went home to make way for the next set of visitors – the Magi entourage.  We even include them in our manger scenes – like the one in front of our altar.

But most scripture scholars agree that that wasn’t the case.  It is generally accepted that they had come from Persia, a thousand plus mile journey.  In a caravan.  With an entourage.  Following an astrological phenomenon.  Which takes time.  And scriptures also give us a hint that they didn’t arrive that holy night.  They visited Jesus, Mary and Joseph in their home – or at least in a house where they were staying, not in a stable with Jesus in a manger.  And given Herod’s reaction to the news of Jesus’ birth by condemning all boys under 2 in the area to death where he was supposed to have been born, most scripture scholars believe that Jesus was somewhere between 1 and 2 years old by the time he was visited by the Magi.  

Which leads to the second question: Why did the Magi come?  
Today’s Gospel says that they came to homage to a newborn king.  But why?  After all, they weren’t Jewish, and Jesus wasn’t “officially” of royal lineage of the time like Herod was.  Remember, rulers usually came from royal dynasties, and in Herod’s case we know of at least five in his royal dynasty during the time of Jesus: Herod the Great; his sons Archelaus and Antipas; and the grandkids Agrippa I and II.

And while we might talk of the Magi as “kings”, they were more like scientists, educated in astronomy and astrology, and they were probably motivated more by the spiritual and metaphysical significance of the star than by its political aspects.  Also, since the use of the “gifts” they brought is not discussed anywhere else in the Bible and we normally only reflect on their Christological meaning (that is, Jesus’ royal humanity, His divinity and His mortality), they obviously were more symbolic than substantial.  Yet still the Magi came. Why?

My thought? Because they wanted to see the fulfillment of ancient prophecies concerning a birth that would affect the entire world.   And they would be EXCITED!  Whether there were 3 wise men or 30 in their caravan, I’m sure they all would have been caught up in the excitement of their discovery.

Think about how we feel when we come across something that we think is important to our state in life.  Such a discovery could change everything for us.  We might travel thousands of miles just to be able to experience it, although it would be a much quicker trip since we’d most likely travel by plane or car.  For example, think about the millions of people who travel to see the Pope whenever he is near enough to visit.

But still, why did they come?  After all, even if Jesus was two years old, I’m sure he wasn’t much of a conversationalist. Although I’ve known some two-year-olds that can carry on a very lively conversation – rarely could I understand a word they were saying.  Of course, the Magi would be able to talk with our Blessed Mother and Joseph, and I’m sure that discussing the Holy Family’s spiritual encounters with angels would have left their minds and hearts open to the angelic encounter that warned them not to go back to Herod.

Which brings me to my final question: Why are we here today?  Because we are now obligated to attend Mass?

Our presence at Mass should be more than our fulfilling an obligation.  We just finished a year of uncertainty where, for much of it, we were not obligated to come to Mass.  Many couldn’t come; others chose to participate vicariously by watching live-streamed Masses on TV or the Internet.  And while that is better than nothing, it is hard to develop a relationship with the living God if you do not have a relationship with His people.

So why are we here?  To feed on the Body of Christ in the Eucharist and in God’s living word? Of course!  But I think there should be more to it than that.  The Magi came to give homage to a new-born king, not to get anything.  And like the Magi, we should come to Mass to give homage - adoration - to our king.

Can you imagine if the Magi had said, “What a pretty star!  I’m sure it is important to the Jewish people, and since there’s nothing on TV this weekend let’s take a trip to see a new-born king. “

We, like the Magi, should be EXCITED to be here.  And like the Magi, we should be seeking Jesus in new and unexpected ways.  Like the star that lead the Magi to where they knew the Christ-Child would be, we come to Mass because we know that He is present here, at Mass, especially in the Eucharist.  

Oh, sure.  Sometimes the homily is BORING.  Or there’s little distractions running around or crying which can interfere with my ability to focus.  Of course, if you see me smiling on the altar it’s usually because of them.  I love children at Mass.  By the way, if Jesus was about 2 when the Magi arrived, I’m sure he didn’t just sit quietly while the adults talked.  At least few of the 2-year-olds that I know could or would do that. In fact, since the Magi would know about how old Jesus would be when they arrived, I’ll bet they probably played with him.

But the journey of the Magi is OUR journey –  to seek out Jesus and, in our case, discover where Jesus lay hidden in our lives.  And we find him in the Mass.  The REAL Jesus. The Jesus that we can interact with.  The Divine Jesus.

Do we recognize the divinity of Jesus today?  More importantly, if the Epiphany was the divine revelation of Jesus for the Magi, have we had our own moment of Epiphany with Him?  Our faith tells us that He is present in His Word and in the Eucharist, but do we see Him at other times in Mass – or for that matter elsewhere in our daily lives?  Where do we look for Him?  Most importantly, do we know what is leading us to Him?

The Magi came because the star offered them HOPE.  That sign of hope should be the Mass for us as well.  Do we see Mass as a sign of hope, like the Magi did with the star?

As we proceed into this New Year, we should ask ourselves that last question over and over: why am I here?  Am I prepared to have an “Aha!” moment – an Epiphany – where I encounter the risen Christ?  Am I willing to do the things I need to do – to journey – in order to see Him?  Can I overcome the fear of the change that encounter may require of me?  Will I see Him today?

You can see Him.  Just do not be afraid to look