God's Revelation at an Opportune Time

 The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (Cycle C): January 02, 2021

Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13; Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here

As we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, we are on the threshold of a new year. Perhaps, our hearts and minds are full of dreams and aspirations, plans and projects for the New Year 2022.  We might be having a number of commitments and resolutions, ideas and pledges for the year which is ahead of us. We make plans and God blesses them. We work towards the implementation of tasks ahead of us while God realizes them silently. We have said goodbye to the year 2021 which was in many ways not so kind to us with the second wave of Corona pandemic taking away many of our near and dear ones and making many orphans and jobless.  We hope that the New Year 2022 truly becomes a year of grace and blessings, peace and prosperity.  I wish all my readers greetings of the New Year.

1. What belongs to God is known widely and urgently

Today we commemorate the familiar account of the visit of the Three Wise Men also called as Magi to the little baby Jesus. The word Epiphany literally means "a showing," "a revelation," "making known," which emphasizes the revelation of Jesus to the world. In fact, these three wise men are travellers from the East belonging to a certain category of people in society who exercised certain power or authority. Unlike the Shepherds who are simple and always on their feet, the Magi are learned and come to know the birth of Jesus through the books and knowledge of the celestial signs namely astrology and come from the East. From the East sun rises and makes the world bright and beautiful. So too the Magi reveal to the world, who the baby Jesus is all about, through the symbolic gifts they offer to baby Jesus namely, gold, frankincense and myrrh. 

The wise men of the East who are widely known as Magi follow the star, a symbol of guidance that directs them. A star moves ahead of them as they traverse hills and valleys, towns and villages in search of that special child of Bethlehem. What we notice here is that the Magi are determined to reach their destination. They are sure of their destiny in spite of the hurdles they go through and finally land in the court of Herod. However, they follow the divine wisdom over the human and pursue the star and not the wicked promise and evil desire of Herod. In spite of the encouragement and corrupt intention of King Herod to Magi, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him” (Matthew 2:8) the Magi do not follow him but only the star. On our life journey, we encounter love and hatred, acceptance and rejection, gifts and poison. When God shows the way, why then follow the devil? God knows how best to reveal himself to others when evil is encountered and death is before the eyes.

2. Before the wisdom of God no one can stand

The Word of God tells us "How blessed are your men! How blessed are these servants of yours who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom!" (1 Kings 10:8). The wisdom of God is active and alive. It is a blessing to the one who listens and follows it. Wisdom is more than a thought or a bundle of knowledge. Wisdom is seeking and doing the truth, right judgement and good choices. The wise men from the East, even though we do not know from what exact location they come from, certainly from a very far away country have a noble desire to meet the person who is full of wisdom and truth. Their desire is so impressive that in spite of many other fascinations and attractions on their way, they meet up with the only one thing that they are looking for that is the newborn Jesus of Nazareth and his family. 

The prophet Isaiah in today's reading (Isaiah 60:1-6) refers to Jesus of Nazareth as "light" i.e., wisdom. A number of phrases are attributed to him and sets the scene: the "splendour" of Jerusalem, the "glory of God", the "light" that pierces the darkness, becoming "radiant" by what you see and experience, your heart will "throb and overflow",  the "riches" of the sea will be emptied out for you. Perhaps this description might be too pompous, pretentious and sonorous to the child that is born in Bethlehem. In fact, it was all of simplicity and humility consisting of poor surroundings in which God-Man is born. God makes his presence in a very candid and open way where everyone is welcome to come and adore him. In its profundity and great surprises, God comes in the midst of the ordinariness of people. A lot of people including those who failed to give Mary and Joseph a place to stay might not have understood the significance at all of this little child on a manger. Perhaps the arrival of Magi and the shepherds must certainly have opened their eyes. God is ever-present before us, but it is up to us to take notice of Him and experience Him wholeheartedly.

3. Following Magi means following hearts desires

On the day of the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, what can we draw for our own spiritual benefit? What is the significance of these three wise men and their gifts from the East? Absolutely, the episode of Magi encourages us to have a dogged determination in following whatever God puts in our hearts and minds to bring glory to God. Our challenge is to walk in the steps which is foretold to us even though the road may be rough or the way may be daunting. The challenges invite us to grow in familiarity with God and be faithful in our task of prayer. The goal of such an endeavour is, ultimately, union with God. As we make into the early days of the New Year let the focus of our lives for this year be union with God. When the shadows of global health emergency continue to threaten us, fear and anxiety carry on to mount the prospects of this year, let our focus be God. For God alone, is my "refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:2). "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him" (Psalm 62:1).

As we enter into the new year of the Lord, a lot is in store for each one of us. God always wants to give the best things to us. Jesus himself says to us “So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11).  God’s abundance can be received only with our equal measure of the abundance of receptivity. Often we think very small and so happens to us. God has great projects for us. God has those things which are beyond our measure. Let’s start to think big today. Let our positivity be unlimited just like those Magi who travelled following the star. Probably, we might be encountering many Magis this year, bringing us a variety of gifts, talents and support. Let our magnanimous receptivity help us to live a joyous, peaceful and prosperous new year 2022.

Questions for reflections:

1. When you think about Magi, what imagery comes to your mind?
2. God reveals himself and many a time in and through others. Who are those people whom you might like to name as Magi of your lives and have revealed God to you?
3. As you begin a new calendar year, what are your hopes, intentions and dreams you have?

4. Take some time out today and sit in a quiet place, take a notebook and write down your feelings, aspirations, dreams and resolutions for the new year. Once this exercise is done, ask for a grace to fulfill them with God’s abundant graces. 

 

Prayer: 

Gracious loving God, walk with us as we travel our way towards you in this New Year 2022. Give us the hope and courage to seek you despite the many obstacles we might encounter along the way. Let us, like the Magi, be bold in our choices and eager in our Journey towards you. Help us to support, inspire and strengthen one another through the power of words. Help us to hear the voices of those who have been silenced by poverty, inequality and injustice.

Eternal God, this joyful day is radiant with the brilliance of your one true light. May that light illuminate our hearts and shine in our words and deeds. May the hope, the peace, the joy, and the love represented by the birth in Bethlehem fill our life and become part of all that we say and do. May we share the divine life of your son Jesus Christ, even as he humbled himself to share our humanity. Bless us and the feast that You have provided for us; make us worthy disciples of the joy of your gospel. We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

- Olvin Veigas SJ 
01 January 2021