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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2008 /  God still reveals Himself to those who look up to Him

by Fr. Richard C. Macey special to The Michigan Catholic
Published December 26, 2008

The feast of Epiphany, which means "manifestation," celebrates three events that illustrate the divinity of Jesus Christ: the coming of the Magi, the baptism of Jesus by John, and the Wedding Feast at Cana. It is a much older feast, and it is celebrated with great solemnity in the East. The Eastern Church emphasizes the Baptism of the Lord. The Western Church emphasizes the coming of the Magi.

First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

This passage begins a three-chapter promise of salvation for the people of God. Jerusalem becomes the center of the world for the people, since the dwelling place of God in the Temple was established there. Light and glory are associated together.

The first part of this poem or song refers to the return from exile in Babylon. They lead a procession that will be joined by the rest of the world who will bring tribute to God, just as they would do for a conquering king. Midian (related to Abraham), Ephah (a tribe of Midian) and Sheba (probably modern Yemen in southwest Arabia) were renown for their commerce. The riches would come by land and by sea.

Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6

Jesus Christ was a new revelation of God to His people. The author expresses it as "revelation," rather than "a revelation." There was an ongoing process by which the mystery of faith continued to unfold.

The word, "people," translates the Greek phrase, "sons of men." It may refer to all human beings, or to a select group, those who have heard and believed. The adjective "holy" indicates that the apostles and prophets were chosen by God. It is a sign of election for a particular service to the people of God.

The mission of the Church was to expand the knowledge and faith in Christ to other nations and cultures. At the same time, those cultures enriched the Church. The Jews had proselytized people in early times, but they made them Jews. Christians developed different cultural expressions of faith as rites within the Church. They did not abandon their unique character. The author used three terms to describe them. They were "coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise." The promise was an essential element in the covenant of God with His people. It could also refer to the Holy Spirit.

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

Bethlehem, which means "house of bread/food," was the birthplace of King David, who was of the tribe of Judah.

The small town is about five miles south of Jerusalem. It is close to the Herodian, the fortress where King Herod the Great died. It is the same Herod, who is mentioned in the Gospel today. Three scientific explanations have been given for the star: a supernova, a comet witnessed in 5-4 B.C., or the conjunction of Jupiter (royal light) and Saturn (Sabbath light) in 7-6 B.C. Cosmic displays to foretell historical events or special births was a common trait in ancient literature.

Whatever the physical explanation, the spiritual meaning is the divine guidance that led the Magi to find Jesus among His people. The dream was also a means of demonstrating the divine intervention in the story.

The Magi were a group of star-gazers, astrologers, from the East. They probably came from old Persia (modern Iraq and Iran). They were clearly non-Jews. Since about the sixth century, they have been numbered as three (one for each gift) and given names, each with their own depiction: Caspar (or Gaspar, a beardless young man), Melchior (a bearded old man) and Balthasar (since the 12th century, a black man). The Eastern Churches have three different names for them. The Syrian Church assumed there were 12 Magi.

The king "was greatly troubled and all Jerusalem with him." This is the city where Jesus would die. Its inhabitants would accept the guilt of His blood later in the Gospel (Matthew 27:25).

The extravagant richness of the gifts were probably intended by the evangelist. Later Christian interpreters gave a meaning to each of them. Gold indicated the kingship of Jesus, as the successor of King David in the same city. The Magi entered the "house." In Hebrew, "house" also meant "tribe" or "family." God promised David that the king of Judah would always come from his "house" (2 Samuel 7:16). Frankincense indicated both the divinity of Jesus as well as His role as high priest, a role which inspired the author of the Letter to the Hebrews. Gold and frankincense also recall the end of the first reading for today. Irenaeus and Origin in the early third century interpreted the myrrh as foretelling the death of Jesus.

What was the most memorable gift you have received, and what did it mean? One of the most unusual gifts I have received was a bottle of Geritol on my 30th birthday. It was given in good nature by a friend upon my reaching a milestone in the age of maturity. I suppose, if it had been given by someone less than a friend, I may have taken it as another kind of comment upon my life. Gifts often reflect both the nature of the giver and the relationship which exists between people. What gift would you offer to Christ today?

Fr. Richard C. Macey is pastor of Our Lady of the Woods Parish, Woodhaven.