The Epiphany of the Lord
In Sunday’s Gospel we read about the journey of the Magi, also known as The Three Wisemen. This feast day is also known to be called “Little Christmas” or “Three Kings Day” Whatever you know it as, it is a Gospel about a journey, the journey of the Magi, three honest men seeking the truth and searching for it. It is, I believe, a journey about our lives and our true purpose.
Often today in our world we hear someone say, “I just had an epiphany.” That does not mean that they just took a journey or saw the Three Wisemen. Epiphany comes from the Greek word epiphaneia which means “appearance” or “manifestation.” So, scripture in this case is speaking about the appearance or manifestation of Jesus in our world. The Messiah, the one all we’re waiting for.
This Gospel has so much going on, with the rising of the star in the East and King Herod sending the Wisemen to find this newborn king and let him know of his whereabouts so that he could honor him as well (or so, he claims) . To the gifts of Gold, Frankincense and myrrh given to the baby Jesus… and the Wisemen not returning to Herod, instead, returning home another way as they were told to do in a dream.
Let’s focus on the journey the Wisemen took. They knew that there was more to this life. They were seeking their purpose. They, like so many of us, were seeking to find their goal in life and meaning. Something I am sure each of us can relate to. We find ourselves asking over and over again the same questions; where can I find joy and happiness in my life, what am I supposed to be doing, what career is best for me, where am I going to go to college, how can I be successful and the list goes on.
The Wisemen were journeying to find the truth and fill their hearts and answer many of the same questions you and I have and seek in our lives. So, they took a journey that led them to a small manager in Bethlehem where they found a Mother and Father with their small child. And scripture tells us “Behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage.”
What they found, in so many ways surprised them, because they did not expect what they were searching for it to be found in a small child in a manager without fanfare and bright lights, but very simply and humbly. They found the “way” – God’s way, if you will. The way to a life of love, purpose and meaning. The way to the best life they, and we, could ever imagine, and it all begins with the gift of Jesus in our world and in our lives.
This journey of the Wisemen began with a question, “Where is the King of the Jews?” That question led them to seek the truth and take the journey that led them to Jesus. The question for you and I today is, where is Jesus in my life and how can He make a difference? The answer to those questions requires us to take a journey and spend time in prayer. To seek Jesus every day, not just on Sundays, and to follow God’s will for us. This journey we are on asks that we be honest and open with ourselves and with our God.
I pray that each of us, no matter where we are on this faith journey will have an epiphany of our own and that we would recognize Jesus in our world, in others and in our very hearts.