Homily for Sunday 6th January 2019
_“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.” *(Isaiah 60:1)*_
The key to understanding today’s Gospel passage is to bear in mind that Matthew was writing primarily to a Jewish audience, a people who quite familiar with, for instance, today’s first reading where Isaiah speaks of a time that nations shall bring gold and frankincense to Israel. Matthew beautifully connects the dots and proves beyond every doubt that Jesus is the exact fulfilment of promised Messiah.
While Luke presents us with so many details surrounding the birth of Jesus such as the names Angelic apparitions to Mary, Zechariah, Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth, the fact that the birth took place during the census of Caesar Augustus, the fact that Angels appeared to shepherds who kept watch at night etc., Matthew simply says: “When Jesus was born… wise men from the East came to Jerusalem.”
While Luke presents the Christmas story just as the events panned out like a journalist would do, Matthew’s version of the same Christmas story opens our eyes to certain deep truths regarding this baby that had just been born in a manger. Matthew’s version is a manifestation, a revelation, an epiphany of Jesus Christ. Today’s feast is like a second Christmas but with a slight difference. While we celebrated the birth of the baby Jesus on the 25th of December, we are celebrating today the realization that God himself was born in human flesh. Hence, while Luke’s Gospel sufficed for Christmas Day, Matthew’ interesting detail forms the basis for our celebration today.
What is contained in Matthew regarding the birth of Jesus that isn’t contained in Luke, Mark and John? Simple, the visit of the wise men. Who were these wise men and what impact did their visit have to say about the identity of the newborn Jesus? How did they know about Jesus and what lessons do we learn from them?
Lesson One: Who Were They?
Matthew does not tell us how many were these wise men neither does he mention their names. The only information Matthew provides regarding them was the fact that they were from the East and that they knew how to read the stars. This information though tiny is in itself an Epiphany in that:
One, it reveals the fact that Jesus wasn’t born simply for the Jewish nation (Jesus was more than a national Hero, He was born as SAVIOUR OF THE WHOLE WORLD) and:
Two, it reveals that Isaiah’s prophecy as contained in our first reading today had just come to pass that light shall arise from Israel attracting the wealth of nations, a multitude of camels from Midian, Ephah, Sheba etc.
I feel sad when I hear people tell us Africans that Christianity is a white-man’s-religion, a symbol of colonialism or a form of oppression. From the wise men’s visit, we can see that God had us in mind from the very moment of Jesus’ birth. This is exactly what St. Paul teaches us in today’s second reading. We are not strangers to the Christian faith, we are “fellow heirs, members of the same body and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.”
Lesson Two: What Led them to Jesus?
The wise men did not have the privilege of having an Angel appear to them like the case of Zechariah or Mary, they probably had no knowledge of the prophets. A star captured their attention and they clearly were able to understand that this star was an indication of the birth of a KING. Not just that, the star seemed to have suggested the need to go and see this newly born King.
The star itself is another Epiphany as it reveals that Mary’s child is a King, indeed, the King of kings; a King whose coming among men cannot be ignored; a king whose very presence requires the necessary adoration and movement of all other kings. This was why Herod was GREATLY DISTURBED at the news of the birth of this particular king.
On the other hand, the fact that the star led the wise men to move from their homes reveals that nature is vocal, nature speaks; nature tells us of the wonder of God the creator. The wise men were wise enough to understand that the star was not god to be worshipped but a voice that spoke of God. Never make the mistake of being deceived by this passage into all kinds of idol worship, palm reading, fortune telling and so on.
Lesson Three: What Went Wrong?
Something went wrong along the journey. The wise men upon getting to the land of Israel took their eyes off the star and assumed there is no better place to find the new King than in the Palace of Herod. As it would later turn out to be, this mistake of theirs would cost the heads of many children later. Herod was terrified at the news of a king but was wise enough to consult the chief priests and scribes regarding the Christ (the long-awaited Messiah). Herod even helped the wise men by telling them to go to Bethlehem to search for the child but he did so with a wrong motive.
This experience teaches us never to take our eyes from God; that not all that glitters is gold, that the palace may seem attractive yet it may not be God’s plan for us; that not all those who smile with us mean well for us and that in moments of difficulty and anxiety, we can find light by reading the Bible just like Herod who consulted the chief priests and scribes when he was troubled.
Lesson Four: What did they Bring?
The wise men upon seeing the child FELL DOWN and WORSHIPPED HIM. This very act is another Epiphany; the wise men didn’t just come to say ‘hello’, they worshipped the child as God, they fell down, meaning they prostrated themselves before the child. They adored the baby Jesus. When we go to mass, we are supposed to do exactly what the wise men did. Nevertheless, it takes a person who truly believes that God is present in a particular place to fall down and worship Him. Don’t just be a spectator at mass, bring your whole being into the worship of God; avoid every form of distraction. That same Jesus worshipped by the wise men is here. The wise men are called wise not because of their actions, no wonder the psalmist says: “only a fool will say there is no God.” (Psalm 14:1, 53:1)
Lastly, the wise men brought Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. This is again another Epiphany; a revelation of the identity of Jesus as KING, PRIEST AND SAVIOUR of the world. Jesus had not even started to talk or walk when this happened yet it is clear to the whole world that He is God in human flesh. He rules as King with gold, He sanctifies as a priest with incense (which we still use today at mass) and as Saviour of mankind, Jesus’ body would be preserved with myrrh when he offers his life for our salvation.
The wise men gave gifts to Jesus because they recognized His Divinity, His Kingship and His Sacrificial role for mankind. The question is: “what kind of gifts do I render to Jesus? And what do my gifts say about Jesus?” Indeed, the best gift we can offer to Jesus today is the gift of a righteous life, a pure heart and hands willing to do God’s commands. Make your life an epiphany to the world.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, fill me with light, deepen my love for you and use me to bring the world out of darkness to worship you. Amen
Happy Sunday Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (The Epiphany of Jesus. Bible Study: Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72, Ephesians 3:2-6 and Matthew 2:1-12).
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