Javier Guativa
The feast of the Epiphany (the feast of the manifestation of the Lord to all humanity) is the feast of light. “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you” (Is 60:1). With these words of the prophet Isaiah, the Church describes the content of this beautiful Feast.
Matthew is the only evangelist who tells the story of the Magi who came to see the newborn Messiah. Mathew’s account aims to show that Jesus is the promised Messiah, that he fulfilled what the prophets announced about the Gentiles arriving to Jerusalem (Is 60:6; Sal 72:10+). It also shows that God has expanded His blessing and privilege of the historic Israel to the Church, largely Gentile.
Focusing on Matthew’s account, let us see how we can put it into practice what the Gospel teaches us, so that this Feats of light can illuminate our path, as the star illuminated the path of the Magi from the East to Bethlehem.
“Behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem” (Mt 2:1b)
To start living the “manifestation” of God in our lives, we have to leave from where we are. God wants to be present in our lives, but it depends on us to start walking.
It would be good to ask what kind of journey are we invited to travel. From where do we have to leave? What are the attitudes that we have to change?
God wants to be present in our lives and to enlighten our way, but this will be difficult if we do not cooperate, if we are anchored in the same place, arguing that our own perspectives and opinions are the only valid points of view.
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage”(Mt 2:2).
The “manifestation” of God is silent: a star! Beautiful and at the same time distant. Do not expect from God something so powerful that it may force us to act, because if we do, we will be going the wrong way. The Magi could have ignored that sign and have continued with their daily lives.
Throughout our lives God brightens our way with lights that allow us to glimpse the path, but we must be attentive, vigilant. The manifestation of God does not bring large banners. When we feel that God is silent, we should know that He speaks in a language that is unique.
We are invited to be led by the contagious light of the Lord and by other people who are continuously present in our journey; understanding life as an “adventure”; risking to accept the challenges of a future marked by the enthusiasm and hope that leads to Bethlehem, to a joyful encounter.
“Then Herod called the magi secretly (…) 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” (Mt 2:7a; 2:9).
The Magi are a good example of how to overcome the dark nights that we have in our journey of faith. The Magi sensed that when they entered the palace of Herod (a place of power and wealth) the star disappeared.
The only thing that the Magi found in Herod’s palace was jealousy and the king’s fear of losing its power. Like Herod, we too can be tempted to shine, to cling to the little “kingdoms” we have instead of serving others. Then our life becomes bitter and bitterness affects others, because we do not find peace.
The Magi sensed that Herod, the new Pharaoh, wanted to enslave them. Resuming the path of silence and humbleness on which they started, they went away and the star shined again, the Magi overcame darkness and were filled with joy.
“And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way” (Mt 2:12b).
We are transformed by the experience of encountering the presence of God in the world. After this encounter, we can no longer live as we did before. We must take the path of love and fidelity, sacrifice and selflessness, joy of daily work well done, patience in the contradictions and gentleness in dealing with others. This is the path that leads us to walk, as new stars of Bethlehem for others.
The early Christians, by reading the episode of the Magi, understood very well that Jesus would be the salvation for all humanity.Today, let us feel closer to the Magi, wise companions who encourage us to raise our eyes and see the stars that continue to illuminate our path.
The feast of the Epiphany (the feast of the manifestation of the Lord to all humanity) is the feast of light. “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you” (Is 60:1). With these words of the prophet Isaiah, the Church describes the content of this beautiful Feast.
Matthew is the only evangelist who tells the story of the Magi who came to see the newborn Messiah. Mathew’s account aims to show that Jesus is the promised Messiah, that he fulfilled what the prophets announced about the Gentiles arriving to Jerusalem (Is 60:6; Sal 72:10+). It also shows that God has expanded His blessing and privilege of the historic Israel to the Church, largely Gentile.
Focusing on Matthew’s account, let us see how we can put it into practice what the Gospel teaches us, so that this Feats of light can illuminate our path, as the star illuminated the path of the Magi from the East to Bethlehem.
“Behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem” (Mt 2:1b)
To start living the “manifestation” of God in our lives, we have to leave from where we are. God wants to be present in our lives, but it depends on us to start walking.
It would be good to ask what kind of journey are we invited to travel. From where do we have to leave? What are the attitudes that we have to change?
God wants to be present in our lives and to enlighten our way, but this will be difficult if we do not cooperate, if we are anchored in the same place, arguing that our own perspectives and opinions are the only valid points of view.
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage”(Mt 2:2).
The “manifestation” of God is silent: a star! Beautiful and at the same time distant. Do not expect from God something so powerful that it may force us to act, because if we do, we will be going the wrong way. The Magi could have ignored that sign and have continued with their daily lives.
Throughout our lives God brightens our way with lights that allow us to glimpse the path, but we must be attentive, vigilant. The manifestation of God does not bring large banners. When we feel that God is silent, we should know that He speaks in a language that is unique.
We are invited to be led by the contagious light of the Lord and by other people who are continuously present in our journey; understanding life as an “adventure”; risking to accept the challenges of a future marked by the enthusiasm and hope that leads to Bethlehem, to a joyful encounter.
“Then Herod called the magi secretly (…) 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” (Mt 2:7a; 2:9).
The Magi are a good example of how to overcome the dark nights that we have in our journey of faith. The Magi sensed that when they entered the palace of Herod (a place of power and wealth) the star disappeared.
The only thing that the Magi found in Herod’s palace was jealousy and the king’s fear of losing its power. Like Herod, we too can be tempted to shine, to cling to the little “kingdoms” we have instead of serving others. Then our life becomes bitter and bitterness affects others, because we do not find peace.
The Magi sensed that Herod, the new Pharaoh, wanted to enslave them. Resuming the path of silence and humbleness on which they started, they went away and the star shined again, the Magi overcame darkness and were filled with joy.
“And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way” (Mt 2:12b).
We are transformed by the experience of encountering the presence of God in the world. After this encounter, we can no longer live as we did before. We must take the path of love and fidelity, sacrifice and selflessness, joy of daily work well done, patience in the contradictions and gentleness in dealing with others. This is the path that leads us to walk, as new stars of Bethlehem for others.
The early Christians, by reading the episode of the Magi, understood very well that Jesus would be the salvation for all humanity.Today, let us feel closer to the Magi, wise companions who encourage us to raise our eyes and see the stars that continue to illuminate our path.
