Reflection - The Epiphany of the Lord - We have come to do him homage

Adoration of the Magi by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, 17th century

Photo: Adoration of the Magi by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, 17th century

We celebrated The feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph last Sunday which interrupted the Christmas story in the gospels of Sts Matthew and Luke.

This Sunday three wise men from ‘the east’ come to Jerusalem looking for the infant king of the Jews. Courtesy demanded that they greet King Herod and enquire of him where the child who will be king, was born? They had come on a long journey to worship the child. They represent the people of all nations.

The gospel takes note of the repercussions of their question: King Herod is perturbed, therefore every subject is perturbed - it means someone is going to suffer or die. On December 28 the liturgy of the Church remembers ‘the Holy Innocents’; all the children two years or under who lived in or about Bethlehem who were massacred by Herod’s soldiers.

Herod wanted to make sure that no other king would displace him. History is full of tyrants who give orders to kill innocent people.

Last Sunday, Simeon blessed the child Jesus and proclaimed he would be a light to enlighten the pagans. Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph and added the sombre words that Jesus would be rejected by many and a sword would pierce her own soul too.

As news of the massacre in Bethlehem reached the village of Nazareth, we cannot help but consider the foreboding that Mary and Joseph carried in their hearts. How safe is Jesus? Will someone remark that a baby born in Bethlehem was now living in Nazareth?

The gospel tells us the wise men followed their star to the place where Jesus was. This simple sentence is full of meaning for all people. We understand the symbolic action of the wise men: they sought the person of their dreams; they were single-minded in finding him and they fulfilled their destiny.

Significantly they were not Jews, they were from other peoples far away, yet they came to this humble place and did him homage!

They disappear from the gospels never to be seen or heard of again but they played their part in God’s unfolding plan. Like Joseph, they obeyed the dream they had and returned home by a different route. We note their obedience.

The Jewish people considered themselves God’s people and at different times in their history, they excluded other peoples and were hostile to them. Here St Matthew tells everyone that this child is for all people. When he matures, he will open his arms to everyone and call them to be his disciples.

These actions are in harmony with the last paragraph of St Matthew’s gospel where the risen Lord instructs his disciples to go throughout the whole world and make disciples of the nations. It is still happening.

Columban Fr Gary Walker is currently living at the Columban house in Sandgate, Brisbane.

2024 Columban Art Calendar

Code : 180

In Stock | CALENDAR

$10.00  

Calendar Dimensions: 220mm (W) x 320mm (H)

1 Calendar $10.00 Special Offer: Buy more than one Calendar and pay $8.00 for each additional one. 

See all products  


Set of Ten Prayer Books

Code : 105

In Stock | PRAYER BOOK SET

$35.80  

Set of Ten Columban Prayer Books that includes prayers for those who are struggling with daily life or who have lost a loved one. There is a particular book for those suffering from cancer and a general giving thanks booklet. Making the Sign of the Cross is an excellent gift for baptismal gifts and small children. In the set there are prayers for those who are working as well as prayers for liturgical seasons and the Power of Prayer. 

See all products