Epiphany-What can we learn from the wise men? by Fr Nelson Lobo OFM Cap

 

WONDERING GURU

 Isaiah 60:1-6; Eph 3;2-6; Mt 1:1-12

Fr. Nelson Lobo OFM Cap

 

Introduction: In some countries, the feast of Epiphany is a big event. Epiphany in the early church was one of the great feast days–second only to Easter in its importance. The third great feast was Pentecost. Epiphany, Easter, and Pentecost were the focus of the church. Nobody even thought about celebrating Christmas until the fourth century.

What is Epiphany?

The word Epiphany means “manifestation” or “revelation.” So, the Wise Men are celebrated on Epiphany because they represented the revelation of Jesus to the Gentiles. Some say in the days when Epiphany was a great church feast, it also celebrated the revelation of Jesus in his first miracle–changing water into wine at Cana–and the manifestation of Jesus as the Son of God at his baptism. Those three things–the Wise Men, Cana, and the Baptism were all lumped together to symbolize the revelation of God in Jesus Christ, and such revelation was cause for great celebration.

What Epiphany really means to us?

When someone trapped in the darkness of sin sees and believes in the glory of Jesus Christ. When someone stops trusting in false beliefs and starts trusting in Christ. This is what happened to the wise men from the East. They came from a place where no one knew about the Christ. No one knew about the true God who was sending a Savior. And so, these men left their land of spiritual darkness because they wanted to see and worship the Christ. They made the long trip to Jerusalem. Many people call Epiphany the “Gentile Christmas,” because the main theme of the Epiphany is that Christ is a light, not just for a select group of people like the Jews, but for all people, all over the world.

Were there really three kings?

The identity and place of origin of the wise men has been one of much debate. How many were there? Who were they? Where were they from? Of course, the most common number is that there were three because they bore three gifts this may or may not be the case. It is simply not known. It has been said of them that they were Kings, princes and or priests. Many different locations have been suggested as their origin the likeliest being that they were from Arabia or Persia (modern day Iraq & Iran).. We are limited to only what truths the scripture gives us concerning these men. This much we do know that they were wise! The word “wise men” is actually “Magi” from which we get our English word “magician”. But they were not magicians as we would think. The term is also used to describe people who were astrologers, magicians, sorcerers and pagan priests. The term “magi” was a word used also in ancient Babylon. We know that the Jews had long before been taken to Babylon in exile. Among those Jews was Daniel of the Old Testament. Daniel would have definitely told his new friends in Babylon about the coming Savior. And so, years passed, but Daniel’s message remained.

What gifts can you give to your Savior?

The three wise men offered to the Lord gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. So what gifts can we offer to the Lord? The wise men spent many times searching the Lord.  We too can spend our time in the service of the Lord.  The wise men incurred lot of expenses undertaking this journey.  We too can spend our money for the kingdom of God. The wise men used their voice to tell others about the new king.  Let’s use our voice to share the good news of Jesus.

What can we learn from the wise magi?

1. We can learn to make wise Decisions. These men made a decision to seek out the Saviour.

2. We can learn to be determined to get what we seek. These men may have traveled 500-1000 miles. They might have been the subject of much ridicule. Their journey would involve much cost. They became sick, tired and possibly discouraged along the way but they were determined.

3. We can learn to discern and not naively believe everyone.  Everyone does not have good intentions. Herod having heard that the men were in town inquiring about the King of the Jews calls secretly for them and sends them to Bethlehem to search for the child. He tells them to report back to him when he is found so that he too may come and worship him. The wise men were wise because they were able to discern the jealousy, the hypocrisy and the evil mind of Herod.

4. We can learn to Worship Jesus with all that we have. When at last they had found the Christ, they bowed down and worshipped him.

May this Epiphany week be for us a time of revelation and enlightenment. once we meet the Christ, once we worship him, we are changed! We are different!