Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
A couple of weeks back I drew a contrast between Ahaz and Joseph. I had said that whereas Ahaz was playing games with God, Joseph had shown incredible capacity for fidelity and trust in God. Today, I want to contrast King Herod and the wise kings/men that came from afar. There are many points on which Herod and the wise men differ.
First, the wise men are on a search. “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?” they asked. Herod, on the other hand, was king of the very land the king of the Jews was born and neither did he know about it nor did he see the star. Second, the scriptures tell us that Herod was “greatly troubled” when he heard that a star had appeared announcing the birth of Jesus. It seems to me that he was afraid. How could a child be a threat to a king? But his fear was so intense that it made him act irrationally. Many innocent children were killed in the process. In contrast, the gospel reading tells us that the wise men were “overjoyed at seeing the star” and the “child with his mother.” The wise men did the baby homage and offered him gifts. They do not see the child as a threat but rather as an opportunity to know God.
On a very basic level, today’s feast leads us to reflect upon our spiritual life. The wise men were on a quest; they were on a search; they were on a spiritual journey. We are told that they were led by a star. But I also think that the Star was the consciousness within them that could have found its destiny only in God. As a practical implication, I suggest that we look at our own spiritual journey? What is the Star that is leading us? Where is the Star leading us? Who is at the end of the Star?
Let me put these questions In another way. Since last year, have we grown in our relationship with God? Since last year, has our relationship with God let us to a better relationship with the people around us? Has our relationship with God made us more humble, peaceful, loving, reconciling, just and honest people? Have we become better faithful disciples? We also must think about what our spiritual journey will look like in the coming year? Are there things we must do to become even more faithful and radical disciple of Jesus?
There is much to think about on the Feast of the Epiphany. Let these questions be our own search for redemption.
- Fr. Satish Joseph