The Epiphany of the Lord
“We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage” – Mt 2:2
The star of Bethlehem is immediately associated with one of the messianic prophecies. We read in the Book of Numbers that the pagan prophet Balaam, who was to curse the people of God, blessed them despite himself and made the following prophecy: " I see him, though not now; I observe him, though not near: A star shall advance from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Israel. (cf. Nm 24:17). It is worth adding that the Lord Jesus calls himself the Star. At the end of the Apocalypse, it is presented: " I am the root and offspring of David, the bright morning star." (Rev 22: 16) Thus, the Star that led the wise men to Bethlehem symbolized the Lord Jesus Himself, who came to us to lead entire nations to His Eternal Father. It is only when we realize that the Star of Bethlehem is a symbol of Christ himself that we understand the statements of some Church Fathers that the star shone ten thousand times brighter than the sun.
The mages of the East were the first representatives of the pagan nations to recognize Jesus as their Savior and to pay tribute to Him. Magic is human wisdom most distant from God, ruled by evil forces and subordinated to them. But Christ the Lord came to save everyone, even those who are most distant from God. As St. Ignatius of Antioch, who was only a generation younger than the Apostles (he wrote it in AD 108): "The moment the magicians paid homage to the Child, all magic failed, all bonds of the Evil One lost their power" (Epiphany 19:3). the spiritual conversion of magicians the Evangelist points out that they used another way - not the same way they had come - to returned to their homeland.
Why do we call these magicians kings, and why do we say there were three of them? Well, the number three expresses the universal salvation that Christ brings to us. It was imagined that they were white, black and yellow, and one of them was young, the other was middle-aged, the third was old - in a word, they were representatives of all mankind.
But why do we call them kings? Well, the royal gifts that these magicians gave to Baby Jesus were associated with the messianic prophecy: " May the kings of Tarshish and the islands bring tribute, the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. May all kings bow before him, all nations serve him " (Ps 72: 10-11). So, it is not purely arbitrary. If you carefully read today's Gospel, it is clear that it talks about the fact that Christ the Lord came to save all nations and all peoples, that even those who have become servants of various powers of darkness, and those who rule this world.
The name "Epiphany" explains the meaning of this Solemnity. Jesus Christ reveals himself to the world, that is, He came to earth not only for God's chosen people, but for all people who have ever lived and will live. The liturgical texts also have this resonance. Especially the Letter to the Ephesians emphasizes the participation of all people in the grace offered by Christ.
As we can see, this holiday, celebrated at the beginning of the calendar year, is full of hope. Not only does it outline the universality of salvation for us, but it also opens our minds to an eschatological perspective with the vision of the Kingdom of Heaven, where Jesus Christ is the King and the only Light. Too often we forget about the New Earth that God is preparing for us, and we live in this world as if nothing else existed apart from death.
Let us also offer gifts to Jesus: the gold of our lives, the incense of our prayers and the myrrh of our suffering. Let us go where Jesus is born every day, on the altars of our churches. Let us ask for a blessing for families and our Nation.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george