Written by John Gannon, East Lake Dad
This past Sunday, we Catholics celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany which, in popular understanding, commemorates the coming of the Magi to pay homage to the newborn Messiah. The Magi appear only in Matthew’s Gospel and are never numbered or identified by name. Western Christian tradition holds that there were three Magi in consideration of the three gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh identified in the gospel. Many biblical scholars believe that the Magi probably came from Persia and might have been of the Persian priestly class, practitioners of the Zoroastrian religion. Zoroastrians looked for signs in the stars and Matthew’s gospel speaks of the Magi following a star to Jerusalem. The words of the popular hymn aside, the Magi were not kings in the traditional sense of the term. They did not rule as monarchs but might have held honorary titles in respect to their importance as scholars and perhaps advisors to the rulers of their land.
Whatever their number and origin, the adoration of the Magi represents the revelation of Christ to the gentiles and the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. In the Book of Numbers, Balaam prophesies of the coming of the Messiah being heralded by a star: “A star shall advance from Jacob and a staff shall rise from Israel…” (Nm 24:17). Psalm 72 tells of the gentiles worshipping the Messiah: “The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts, the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute. All kings shall pay Him homage, all nations shall serve Him” (Ps 72:10-11). And the prophet Isaiah foretold: “Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the Lord” (Is 60:6).
We, like the Magi, should adore on bended knee our Savior, Christ the Lord. We can do this first by celebrating the Christmas season in its entirety. The secular world thinks Christmas is over on December 26th. But the Catholic Church gives us a three-week celebration that merely begins on Christmas day. Our celebration includes the Octave of Christmas, the Feast of the Holy Family, the Feast of the Solemnity of Mary on January 1st as well as the Epiphany. The Christmas season doesn’t conclude until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which this year falls on Sunday, January 12th. We can also endeavor to approach Our Lord in the Eucharist with greater reverence and devotion. Perhaps we could find some time to spend with the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration. Marytown which Fr. Rocky Hoffman of Relevant Radio has called the most beautiful shrine of perpetual Eucharistic adoration in the world is less than five miles from East Lake and is open 24/7 for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. We might further consider blessing our homes with the traditional Epiphany blessing, writing in chalk above our doors the inscription: 20 + C + M + B + 25. The initials represent the traditional names of the Magi, Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar and also stand for the Latin phrase, “Christus mansionem benedictat” which is translated, “may Christ bless this house.” Finally, we should never cease to bring our own gifts to Our Lord; not gold, frankincense and myrrh, but our faith, hope and love.” May we never cease to keep our gaze fixed on Jesus who is our light and our life.