Epiphany Sunday (A)/Visit of the 3 Magi
   Is 60:1-6/ Ps 72/ Eph 3:2-6/ Mt. 2:1-12
  Introduction
 

         When you are involved in showbiz or in politics make sure that you are ready to give up your privacy and make yourself vulnerable to the scrutiny of media. They will check you out because when you are elected to a public office you will not be serving a certain group or a particular party anymore, you will be the leader for all the peoples.  In the Bible, when God promised the Messiah to his people Israel, they thought that the Savior belongs exclusively only to them. But when Jesus was born he opened himself, not only for the Jews, but to the whole world as their Lord and King. This was shown in the visit of the 3 magi from the East. This manifestation of God’s universal love for all men is what we call the Epiphany.

 
  Background
 
  1. We often call them “kings” but they were actually “Magi”. Historically they were the “Medes” from the Median tribe which was once part of the Persian Empire. They became so powerful that they tried to overthrow the Persians but they failed. From that time on, the Magi ceased to have any ambitions for power or prestige and became a tribe of priests. They did not only become teachers and instructors to the Pertain kings but also became men of holiness and wisdom who search for truth. They also study the movements of the stars in order to know the will of God for people. The 3 magi were wise, not only because they were able to read the signs in the sky above but also they were able to interpret the “mysteries” below. As a result many noble men looked up to them with great admiration. Maybe, that is how life is really designed by God. We learn from mistakes. We become more stable and secure after we stand from our fall.

  2. It was a custom during the ancient time that no one can approach a king without a gift. And Gold, the king of metals, is the best gift for the “King of kings.” Frankincense is a gift for priests. It was in the Temple worship and at the Temple sacrifices that the sweet perfume of frankincense was used. Myrrh is the gift for the one who is to die. It was used to embalm the bodies of the dead. Jesus came into the world to live for men, and in the end to die for men. Those three gifts were the foretaste of what will happen to life Jesus in the future. They were symbols of the future life and ministry of Christ. These three Kings have given up their material gifts but they received “spiritual gifts” in return. They were from the East, they were Gentiles, they were pagans but when they saw the Baby in the manger, they became believers. They brought gold to Christ, but when they return home they brought the “gift of faith” with them in their hearts.

  3. Herod is always pictured as an insecure king who was selfish and very possessive of his kingdom. He doesn’t want anybody to replace him as king. He killed his two sons; he killed his wife and his mother in-law. That’s why he was greatly troubled when he heard about the birth of the new born king of the Jews. So he secretly asked the Magi to return to him and tell him where Jesus was, so that he can go and kill him. But upon being warned in a dream the 3 kings went home by another way. If the 3 magi went back through the “same route” again they will surely meet Herod again. And not only their lives will be endangered, perhaps the very life Jesus as well. It is very hard to change our lives. There will always be many “herods” that will pull us in, towards our old way of life.  (Perhaps in the form of worldly allurements and temptations.) These will attract us to go back to the same “route” to our old sinful way of life. But like the three kings, if we found Jesus in our “journey in life,” May He makes a difference in our lives, and led us to a new way (of life) …back home.
  
  Reflection:  
 
  1. A lot of people are “hungry” for meaning. They search to find Someone that will fill up that “emptiness” deep within their hearts. This longing was like an “invisible star” within the hearts and minds of the three Magi. They simply follow it wherever it leads them and at the end of road they found what they were really looking for - Someone who can really satisfy them.– Jesus in the Manger. We too, should never be tired in searching for God. He alone satisfies our longings from within.

  2. It is also good to note that the Three Kings found the Messiah in Bethlehem (Hebrew-“Beth” means “house” and “Lehem” means “bread,” thus Bethlehem means “house of bread”). We can also say that the church is the new Bethlehem because it is a house with “bread” in it (the Eucharist). Whenever we come to the mass and we receive the Eucharist, may it satisfy all our longings and desires in life, as what St Augustine used to say, “May heart is restless until it rest in Thee.”

  3. The Star has a great role to play in Epiphany, because it leads the 3 Kings to Baby Jesus. Like John, it was said that there is no man born of a woman greater than John de Baptist, but it is good to recall how John was able to portray his humility before the greatness of the Lord by saying “I am not he, I am not even worthy to untie his sandals.” We learn from the Star, all success that we have in life, should point not to ourselves, but to the greatness of God’s love working in us.
  
  Conclusion  
            Perhaps it is good to follow the 3 kings who never stop looking for Someone who can really give completeness to the world. Like them you will surely find in God, the total completeness in your being and total happiness deep within.