The Feast of Epiphany
Jan 2, 2005
Matt. :2:1-12

Christmas cards and popular piety channeled into nativity scenes tend to distort the story of the Magi. We are not speaking only of their apocryphal names (Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar) or the assumptions about their number (three) or race (of which the gospels say nothing) but the assumption they worshiped Jesus in the manger, as if they had arrived right after his birth. Together with the shepherds they contribute to the impression that at Jesus’ birth all things worked out in harmony, creating a decent welcome for the newborn Son of God. Matthew's message is different.

The story of the Magi brings brutal realities to Jesus’ cradle. Suspicion, jealousy, persecution, bloodshed, exile and homelessness result from the visit of the magi. What is, nonetheless, achieved is the arrival of the first pagans to Jesus. These men of the Orient anticipate Jesus’ words about the Gentiles “coming from East and West” to join the sons of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 8:11). Their homage and gifts announce the fulfillment of the prophecies of Isaiah, who had foretold that all nations would bring their treasures to Zion (Is. 6:4-6).

More tragically, the voice of mothers bewailing their infants points to the reality that martyrdom will play a role in paying the cost of salvation. The messianic child barely born is already persecuted as a pretender to David’s throne and his destiny will remain the same until his life is given for those whom he came to shepherd.

Throughout the gospel of Matthew people come to Jesus and express their belief in his superhuman dignity as they worship him. Most explicitly the apostles do this as a group after he appears to them walking on the water (14:33) as well as the women to whom he appears as they leave the empty tomb (28:9). These scenes use the same word to express “worshipping” as both an external act of prostration to the ground and an act of faith in Jesus’ superhuman power and authority. Because of this conclusion of the arrival of the Magi, this gospel passage eminently fits as an introduction to the celebration of the Eucharist and offers a paradigm for the worshipping community to adore the Child born in Bethlehem and to give him all we have and value.

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