Today, the Church celebrates the solemnity of the Epiphany. On this day, we commemorate the visit of the three wise men (magi) to the baby Jesus. This feast signifies that Jesus is the Savior of not just some, but all people. In today?s Gospel, we heard:
After their audience with the king they set out.
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. (Mt 2:9-12)
Jesus is the Savior not just of the magi, but of everyone, including us. When we followed our mind?s ?star? and made our way to Church today, were we ?overjoyed? like the magi? In his encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Pope John Paul II stated, ?Mary is present, with the Church and as the Mother of the Church, at each of our celebrations of the Eucharist.? How did we feel when, just like the magi, when we were in the presence of Jesus and Mary at Mass? Did we ?prostrate ourselves and do homage? to The Lord who is made sacramentally present at each and every Mass? Did we offer Him the gift of our life, by pledging to always do His will? Finally, how were we affected by our encounter with The Lord? As the magi ?changed their way home?, did we leave Mass vowing to ?change our ways? and follow The Lord?s commandments more closely?
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. (Mt 2:9-12)
Jesus is the Savior not just of the magi, but of everyone, including us. When we followed our mind?s ?star? and made our way to Church today, were we ?overjoyed? like the magi? In his encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Pope John Paul II stated, ?Mary is present, with the Church and as the Mother of the Church, at each of our celebrations of the Eucharist.? How did we feel when, just like the magi, when we were in the presence of Jesus and Mary at Mass? Did we ?prostrate ourselves and do homage? to The Lord who is made sacramentally present at each and every Mass? Did we offer Him the gift of our life, by pledging to always do His will? Finally, how were we affected by our encounter with The Lord? As the magi ?changed their way home?, did we leave Mass vowing to ?change our ways? and follow The Lord?s commandments more closely?
It?s easy to look at the tale of the Three Kings as just a ?story?, but it should be much more than that. It provides an example of the way we should feel and act when we encounter the same Jesus that was present as a small child over 2000 years ago. As Catholics we are granted the privilege of being able to meet and receive The Lord at every Mass. Let?s try never to forget how blessed we are!
