By Fr Francis Gonsalves, SJ –
The Epiphany of The Lord – January 6, 2019
Readings: Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3a,5-6; Mt 2:1-12
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly!” (Mt)
Three Scriptural Signposts:
1. Today’s feast of the ‘Epiphany’—called Theophany (from the Greek, meaning, ‘Godmanifestation’) and celebrated as Christmas in the Armenian Church—can be called a festival of lights. The symbol of light is very prominent in the first reading. Isaiah tries to brighten up the exiles by describing Jerusalem’s future glory, inviting all peoples to congregate at this holy ‘city of peace’. Isaiah’s lyrics are luminescent.
The first line “Arise, shine; for your light has come!” and words like glory, light, radiant and brightness convey end-of-the-tunnel luminosity to an exiled people wallowing in darkness and despair. Seeing Jerusalem, “you will grow radiant, your heart throbbing and full!” (v.5). With Jerusalem as ‘centre’, so to say, worshippers will come from East and West. “Sea” signifies the Mediterranean to the west, while Midian, Ephah and Sheba refer to the nations east of Jerusalem, that will come in camel caravans—the usual way to travel through the desert— bearing their gifts of “gold and frankincense”. These were two of the most precious commodities for barter-trading widespread at that time.
2. The Magi, popularly also called ‘three kings’ in the ancient carol, are the central characters in today’s feast. Magi comes from the Greek, magos, meaning ‘magician’. It is unclear who they really were though traditionally named Melchior, Balthasar and Caspar. Some maintain that the Magi were mere magicians who traveled afar to surrender the ‘tools’ of their dubious trade (gold, frankincense, myrrh) at the feet of their Saviour. But most scholars believe that the Magi were wise astronomers from the East who, enthralled by the appearance of an extraordinary star, dared depart from their comfort zones, so to say, to reach what they expected to be something unprecedented or someone extraordinarily eminent. They were blessed with a darshan of the Babe at Bethlehem, the Christ. The first reading supports the latter hypothesis by foretelling a massive convergence of so-called ‘Gentiles’ towards the restored city of Jerusalem.
3. While the first reading prophesies that pilgrims will come in camel-caravans “bringing gold and incense, singing the praise of the Lord” the gospel additionally mentions “myrrh” as the third gifted treasure that the Magi offer the Infant Christ. The three gifts are also interpreted symbolically as follows: gold as a symbol of Christ’s kingship, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of deity, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death. The efforts of the Magi to go forth directed by a star are rewarded. We are told: “When they saw the star they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy!” (Mt 2:10) Unlike as in Luke’s gospel, phrases like “rejoiced exceedingly” and “great joy” are rarely found in Matthew’s. Indeed, they indicate that Jesus’ ‘epiphany’ or revelation is an extraordinary event that must be proclaimed to all nations.
Three Texts from Catholic Tradition:
1. St Ephrem (306-373 AD) from ‘Hymn for Epiphany’:
“The star of light, contrary to nature, shone forth of a sudden — less than the sun yet greater than the sun. Less was it than he in manifest light — and greater than he in secret might because of its mystery. The star of light shed its rays among them that were in darkness — and guided them as though they were blind — so that they came and met the great Light. They gave offerings and received life and adored and departed. The herald from above showed His Nature to be from the Most High; likewise, he that was from beneath showed His Body to be from humankind, mighty marvel! — that His Godhead and His Manhood by them were proclaimed!”
2. St Leo the Great (c.400-461):
“In the persons of the Magi let all people adore the Creator of the universe; let God be known, not in Judaea only, but in the whole world, so that his name may be great in all Israel…..This came to be fulfilled, as we know, from the time when the star beckoned the three wise men out of their distant country and led them to recognise and adore the King of heaven and earth. The obedience of the star calls us to imitate its humble service: to be servants, as best we can, of the grace that invites all men to find Christ. Dear friends, you must have the same zeal to be of help to one another; then, in the kingdom of God, to which faith and good works are the way, you will shine as children of the light.”
3. Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI in his ‘Homily on Epiphany’ 2013:
“The Magi who set out towards the unknown were men with a restless heart. Men driven by a restless quest for God and the salvation of the world. They were filled with expectation, not satisfied with their secure income and their respectable place in society. They were looking for something greater. They were no doubt learned men, quite knowledgeable about the heavens and probably possessed of a fine philosophical formation. But they desired more than simply knowledge about things. They wanted above all else to know what is essential. They wanted to know how we succeed in being human. And therefore, they wanted to know if God exists, and where and how he exists. Whether he is concerned about us and how we can encounter him. Nor did they want just to know. They wanted to understand the truth about ourselves and about God and the world. Their outward pilgrimage was an expression of their inward journey, the inner pilgrimage of their hearts. They were men who sought God and were ultimately on the way towards him. They were seekers after God.”
Possible Link of the 2nd Reading and the Psalm:
The second reading mentions ‘revelation’ and ‘mystery’. When God reveals in history, the ‘mystery’ disappears. This happens with the revelation of God mediated by Jesus Christ. Paul is the so-called ‘Apostle to the Gentiles’. Today, it would be totally unacceptable to use words like ‘pagan’ and ‘gentile’ for anyone. However, Paul’s insight is relevant: “All are parts of the same body, and the same promise is made to all in Christ Jesus.” This idea echoes in the psalm, too. Earlier used for the coronation of kings, the psalm (72) foretells that kings “shall fall prostrate … bring him gifts … serve him.” However, the last verse describes the Messiah serving and saving the poor, weak, needy and helpless. A servant-king!
Contextual Concern: The former ‘Christian West’ is now seen as Post-Christian. Disillusioned seekers flock eastward seeking solace from Gurus and Matas. What have we, Indian Christians, to offer these God-seekers? Are we ready to “go forth” to seek and find Our Star?
Fr. Francis Gonsalves is a Gujarat Jesuit, former Principal of Vidyajyoti College, Delhi, and currently Dean of Theology at Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune. He is also the Executive Secretary of the CCBI Commission for Theology and Doctrine. He has authored many books and articles and is a columnist with The Asian Age and The Deccan Chronicle national dailies.