Homily, January 7, 2024
EpiphanyoftheLordB24
What drew the Three Wise Men to be such ardent seekers? On the one hand, these travelers express the universal longing that all human beings have for God. Conscious or not, intentionally religious, or simply the inner longing of the human heart, human beings seek the Divine. God is holy, and we ourselves, made in the image of God through Christ share that holiness. We are sacred beings incarnate in the very flesh that God freely chooses to accept in the Lord Jesus. We all long for love in its purest form because it is in our bones, our spiritual DNA.
On the other hand, Epiphany is a theological feast that honors the Divinity of the newborn Christ. The fulness of the Christmas mystery is too much to take in all at once. Christmas celebrates the Word Made Flesh in the human birth of the infant Child. This wonderous mystery deserves our full attention, adoration, and gratitude. As an infant, it was not known the child Jesus would grow up to become the adult Christ surrendered on a Cross.
The feast of Epiphany reveals and honors the Divine nature of the infant Child as the Universal Christ. This truth is conveyed in the Three Wise Men traveling from a foreign land, possibly Persia. They are Gentiles, not Jews, who seek the mystery of God. Finding him in a humble stable, the three seekers bow low in adoration as a sign of submission to the authority of God they perceive in the infant Child.
The story is written to convey not only the mystery of God, but also the faith and humility in those who encounter the Divine presence. Notice the Three Wise Men are astrologers. They studied the movements of the sky and the stars. There is a scientific tone to their identity, but so much more. What are they hoping to find as they gaze upon the heavens? What do they seek beyond the visible heavens? Theirs is a spiritual quest. More than religion, they seek an encounter with God.
A new and unknown star appears. It draws their attention and curiosity. In hindsight, we know it is an action of God; a movement of grace that stirs the heart with an unquenchable thirst to realize its meaning. While watching the heavens looking for a sign, they are drawn to follow the star. I love the line in the song, I am for You, that sings, ‘…there is a fire in all things living. There is a voice that speaks from the flame, I am for you… is my name.’ The fire in the Wise Men and in us is the fire of God; the fire of the Spirit that leads and draws us to God.
The fire of God in us is transforming. It has the power, if we allow it, to change and transform our lives through a felt encounter of Jesus or the Spirit. This is what happened to the Three Wise Men, not only as they journey along the way, but most fully when they arrived and encountered the infant Child.
What told them this Child was the Christ, the long-awaited Messiah? It can only by are revelation. Why did they bow down in adoring submission in such a humble setting? They were touched by grace. They were called by God for a purpose and in coming to the birthplace of the Lord their hearts were transformed. They knew they had arrived. Something stirred in them with unwavering certainty that this Child would be the Christ of God. Universally, we are all called to the same Christ.
In everyday life, things are not so clear. We are troubled and blinded by anxiety and the fear of many things. When the Three Wise Men reported to Herod their desire to honor the newborn king, Herod and all Jerusalem fell into great fear. Deceptively, Herod wants to know the location of the Child to pay him homage. This is the lie of the world; the lie of fear and sin that seeks power and control. Herod is the false king who believes he has overriding power. The Wise Men seek the true King who is eternal Divine power in truth.
After worshipping the Child Jesus and leaving abundant gifts to reflect his royal status, the Three are directed to return home by a different route. On the surface, the message is one of safety to avoid the fearful jealousy of Herod. Spiritually, following a new and different path reflects the transformative change of a Divine encounter. The Three are now on a new path with greater knowledge of God.
If allowed, a person who has a deep encounter of God will often feel drawn to a new way of being. This is what the gospel writer is conveying to us. Encountering Jesus with Mary and Joseph changed the lives of the Wise Men. They were set on a new path in such a way that going home the same old way just would not do. This is the call and effect of the gospel, the fruit of the Incarnation, and the dying and rising of Jesus that confirms our redemption.
Sit with this mystery. Ponder it. It is for you and already in you. It is what you profess to believe. None of us can force a movement of grace or a self-made encounter with God. Only God can initiate, and we can choose to respond. As a baptized person you have the Holy Spirit and you can respond to any movement of grace, great or small. The question is whether you will allow your experience of God to change you. Religion alone will not do it. Look for grace like the Three gazing at the stars. Do not fear to allow it to change you.
Father John Esper
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