Sunday Gospel Comment
Alberic Jacovone OSB
YEAR A EPIPHANY - 2.1.05 Is 60,1-6; Eph 3,2-3.5-6; Mt 2,1-12 God’s message is for all races Every
nation on earth will adore you. We are familiar with Matthew’s story of the 3 Wise Men who -from the
East- followed a ‘bright light’ (Greek for ‘aster’ & from it comes
‘star’) and came to Jerusalem and then to Bethlehem to worship the ‘New
King’. We are invited to unpack the story in its implications. A ‘bright
light’ shone out in the East and brought visitors from afar to the place where
Jesus was. (Why on earth have we said for centuries that ‘a bright light’
was a far-away star in or out of a constellation
or comet in the firmament?). The real issue is that Jesus himself -as
Saviour- is that ‘bright light’ and to him all nations and races will be
drawn. Jesus is the one who reveals to all races on earth that God is full of
love and mercy towards all, everyone included, no one excluded. In this
Matthew’s Gospel is unique: its message of love is aimed at all people,
nations & cultures and until the end of time, no one is or will ever be ‘a
foreigner’ in the Church. The Gospel can never be the preserve of a privileged
few: Today let us learn that it is God’s will for the whole world to become
multicultural, since God’s love is for all people, races, nationalities and
beliefs. This insight & its feast, called ‘Epiphany’ = manifestation of
God as God of all’ goes back to
the early years of the Church. It was celebrated way before the Feast of
Jesus’ Birthday (or ‘Christmas’ which means ‘Christ’s Mass’, that is
Midnight Mass on 25th December). The feast of ‘Epiphany’ highlights the
amazing fact that God comes to us, through the incarnation of God’s Son as a
human being like us. This enormous event was and is celebrated as a great
occasion especially in Eastern & Orthodox Churches, who stress the
realization that even those who were & are not of the Jewish faith are
welcome into have faith of Jesus Christ. Even though Jesus was born and had
roots in Judaism, Jesus is Saviour of anyone who seeks the truth. To become a
Christian, no one has to submit to the laws & customs of the Jewish
Religion. In
2005, which “star” are you following? Matthew tells us that the 3 Wise Men followed the star (bright light),
as it went before them until it stood where the child was. Imagine what must
have been their disappointment when they found a poor child born in the house of
poor people, instead of a mighty king in his regal robes & splendid palace.
But still, they were open to the revelation of God and bowed down before him.
The expensive gifts they offered are highly symbolic: Gold was presented to
Kings, Incense was offered to God and myrrh was used in anointing for burial.
Thus they refer to the kingship of Jesus, his divinity and his saving death
& burial. In all this there is a lesson for us: we too need to discover God
and his loving designs, not in spectacular miracles & happenings, but in
ordinary circumstances of life. In our search for God, we are always on a
journey, and there is always need to make progress. Like the three Wise Men, who
were astrologers from Persia, we too are people who seek God with a sincere
heart. Today the story and the meaning of the Crib, which we install for
Christmas comes to its completion, with the arrival of the ‘Magi’. Today, it
may be appropriate to ponder on the Word of God, & visualize its aspects
while we pray at the Crib. Let us offer a special prayer: that in our families,
we may be wise towards a world that’s turning more & more cosmopolitan
& multicultural. Let us pray for unity, concern & love. Today
ask: As you stare in the future, reflect on the road ahead, plan for the New
Year ahead, what ‘bright light or star’ are you planning to follow? is God
directing the way you act or think? ______________________________________ |
