Sunday the 5th of January 2025 - The Epiphany

Isaiah 60:1-6/ Ps 72(71)/ Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6/ Matthew 2:1-12

There are many today who search in all sorts of places for meaning in their lives. There are countless methods and examples of how we can search for this meaning. One is by reading the astrology predictions produced in newspapers, magazines, and online. Most of these methods can be traced back to a person or a group of people who write these things for a living, there is no basis or reliability in them at all. Although following these predictions can be a harmless enough pastime, they can sometimes cause great distress and anxiety if too much store is put in them.

It might be tempting to see the wise men in the gospel account today simply as astrologers, following the stars and in some way legitimising horoscopes and spurious predictions. The clue to these visitors from the east is in the fact that they are referred to in scripture as wise men rather than the kings found in tradition. Their wisdom allows them to be open to guidance, guidance that led them to a baby born in Palestine, a baby that they recognised as worthy of worship and the hardships of a long journey to pay their respect.

Jesus was born into the Jewish faith, his people were familiar with the promise of a messiah, a saviour, and eagerly awaiting his arrival. The wise men who travelled from far in the east were not of the Jewish faith but through their knowledge and study had become aware of the importance of the baby born into Jewish heritage. The contrast between the faith of the wise men and that of Jesus’ own people is astounding. On the one hand Herod and the people he ruled over refused to countenance that the baby the wise men had come to honour could possibly be their long-anticipated messiah. On the other, the wise men were prepared to respond to the prompting they received.

The wise men were open to the signs of their times, they were searching for fundamental truths that their educated minds led them towards. The shining light of the God born as a human into poverty in a foreign land drew the wise men to him. They were open to the possibilities their wisdom brought them to. The leaders of the chosen people of God saw a threat to their way of life, to their earthly power, and their prosperity, presented by the baby in the manger. One side sought truth and meaning, the other sought dishonesty and destruction. The knowledge of where the Christ was to be born was lodged firmly within scripture and etched into the Jewish faith and tradition. The wise men had no such direction but had been guided towards this place and moment in human history by God through their own learning and wisdom. One side open, searching, and outward looking, the other closed, unseeking, and inward looking.

The gospel of the visit of the wise men confirms what is written in the Old Testament first reading. The promised messiah would come through the chosen people but would not be exclusive to them. The gift of salvation is for all people with all nations guided by the brightness of Christ’s light entering the world. That light continues to shine brightly even for those who have not yet found Jesus. The Psalm, a prayer of the Jewish people, also calls to mind how the kings of all nations will be drawn to honour the Lord.

We see many barriers erected between people of different faiths, heritage, nationalities, genders, and almost all groups who see themselves as under threat or set apart from what might be termed the mainstream around them. The birth of Jesus and the response by the wise men reminds us that there are no barriers between people in the eyes of God. God sees all his created people as equal; God loves each person on the same basis and desires them to seek a place with him in eternity. God does not impose his will on us but rather Jesus is a shining light in the darkness of the world so that all who are open and searching for truth can be led to him.

As with much of scripture the details of the narrative are less important than the meaning God seeks to convey through it. Instead of trying to determine who the wise men were, how many there were, what their names were, or where they came from it is better to understand what they stand for. Jesus the Messiah was given through the Jewish people as had long been promised. This gift from God is not confined to the chosen people of Israel or the Christian group who emerged from them. It is not confined only to the many Christian denominations that have emerged over time. It is given for all.

The wise men went on a journey to seek something special, valuable, and worth finding. Their journey led them to Jesus. We are all on that journey, a pilgrimage, through life seeking to be ever closer to Jesus. This is a journey of conversion during which the healing and forgiving light radiating from the child Jesus in the manger can reach all the dark corners of our lives. The gift of redemption is a gift for all people and can be found by anyone who is open to God’s word. The way to the baby born in Bethlehem is lit brightly by God for all who are wise enough to look for it and follow it. We pray that all human barriers placed in the way of truth can be overcome so that people of all nations may find their way to the Lord.

God Bless Brendan