Wise Men From the East

Wise Men From the East

Mt 2: 1 – 12

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

Introduction

Today is the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. Our Gospel reading recounts to us the story of the wise men from the east who came looking for the child Jesus. When these wise men finally found Jesus, they gave him homage and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The Gospel 

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, ² asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” ³ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; ⁴ and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. ⁵ They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

⁶ ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
    who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

⁷ Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. ⁸ Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” ⁹ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. ¹¹ On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ¹² And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Reflection

This beautiful story about the wise men from the east, led by a star, looking for the newborn king of the Jews is an all too familiar story that is recounted every Christmas season. But more than just a yearly Christmas story that has fascinated generations of Christians, it is a story that conveys a deep message for all of us. 

First, the wise men from the east were not Jews. At that time, all non- Jews were called gentiles. The distinction between Jews and non-Jews somehow bears a somewhat discriminatory note. Jews considered themselves the chosen people of God. They considered themselves quite special in the eyes of God because they followed the law that God himself gave to them through Moses. Gentiles on the other hand were considered outsiders who did not know God and therefore were considered not only different, but unworthy and unclean as well.  

Surprisingly, we find these wise men from the east, who were not Jews, following a star, seeking him who was the king of the Jews. However, when the star they were following vanished from their sight, they found themselves at a lost and had to seek help to continue their search. In seeking help, it seemed naïve on their part to have inquired about the whereabouts of this newborn King of the Jews from someone who was still the reigning King of the Jews, Herod himself. 

Nonetheless, Herod didn’t seem insulted with their inquiry. He consulted those who knew something about this would be king of the Jews. And true enough, those that he consulted provided the answers by searching the Scriptures. The wise men, after getting their directions, quickly set out to the place pointed out to them by Scriptures. But the irony of it all was that, the Jews who advised the wise men about the place of birth of the king of the Jews, didn’t bother to go to Bethlehem themselves to see this king. They knew the details of where this newborn king would be found; yet, this privileged knowledge of knowing where he would be born never gave them any desire whatsoever, not even the curiosity to see this newborn king. In the end, they never encountered God because they did not seek him. 

In the end, none of the Jews in the story ever went to Bethlehem. The only Jew that was interested to see the newborn child was Herod simply because he wanted to do harm to the baby whom he saw was a rival to his throne and not, as he claims, to pay homage to this new born king. 

God works indeed in mysterious ways. These wise men from the east who were not Jews were searching for God. On the other hand, the Jews, who knew God well through their Scriptures, did not look for God even if they already knew where to find him.  This just tells us that with God, there are no distinctions between Jews or non-Jews. God never discriminates. God reveals himself to anyone who truly seeks him. This is why today’s feast is called the “epiphany.” This word simply means “revelation.” This is the feast when God revealed himself in Jesus to all mankind, including all gentiles, represented by the wise men. 

God reveals himself to all who seek him. He guides those who search for him deep in their hearts as they struggle through their lives. To those who truly search for God in their lives, God shows a star that would direct them to a path that leads to the Savior, Jesus. But God also shows us how to reach him through his Word, in Scriptures. There, in his Word, God opens up a clear path on how to reach him and see him in his son, Jesus. 

Let us ask the Lord to grant us the grace of truly seeking him. God will not hide himself from us; neither will he cover his face from us. He will instead lead us to discover him in his son Jesus, the true light of the nations; the true light for those who truly seek God in their hearts.

Prayer

            Dear Lord, today you reveal yourself to all who truly seek you. You do not cover your face from anyone who seeks and longs for your beauty. Shine on our lives, light of the nations, so that you may dispel the darkness and gloom that surround us who know not what to do and know not where to go when we struggle through life.  Lead us to your lowly place in the manger where we can behold your light, peace and grace. Amen.

“ Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on him while he is near.” – Isaiah 55:6