January 5, 2025
Feast of the Epiphany
Matthew 2: 1-12
As the Christmas feasts come around each year there is a familiarity which is warm and comforting. ‘I’ve been here many times before, I know what this is all about.’ But do I? This is not mere repetition. The essence of any feast is to recognise its unique message at this particular time of my life. What is it saying to me now? What do I need to hear? The Magi of the Epiphany Feast will perhaps help us to understand.
The Magi, we are told, were astrologers aware of the Messianic prophesies, and searching the skies for significant signs. They recognised the ‘star in the east,’ but It was the star deep within, which encouraged them to set out on a journey into the unknown, searching for truth and fulfilment.
“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?”
Travelling with the Magi we know what it feels like to be on a strange and unfamiliar pathway. My own unique star emblazoned with my name burns brightly. The way may be hard and at certain times in my life more demanding, but there can be no turning back and If I am faithful to the journey I too will arrive where there is union and transformation.
Reaching Bethlehem, they found the child with Mary, his mother. There were welcoming hands and open hearts to receive these strangers from a distant land.
“We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
“Her heart cried to their hearts, and knew how poor
They were, and generous made Him a gift
To them, before the casque of gold was raised
Or frankincense was set beside the myrrh.” (J. Lynch)
As I kneel with the Magi, I too am invited to accept the gift of the Christ Child. Only then will I have the honesty and maybe courage, to offer my own unique gift. Some gifts are harder to give than others, but the gift asked of me at this particular time in my life is the gift which will help me to grow and become the person I am called to be.
“I have called you by your name, you are mine”
Renewed and strengthened, I leave with the Magi, continuing to follow my personal star which is shining across my future. I will be invited to go to ‘places I have never been before’ to be drawn more deeply into the mystery of the God who is my life my love, my all.
Am I in touch with my own unique star and able to recognise the gift I am invited to give the Christ Child this Epiphany?
Today, as I follow my star into an unknown future, this is my prayer:
“Give me faith, Lord, when the mountain’s too high.
Be my hope, Lord, when the road is too long.
Teach me love, Lord; let it blaze in my heart
And shine to your glory O God.” D.Shutte (Adapted)
Matthew 2: 1-12
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”
When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet:
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.”
Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.”
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. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.
The Gospel of the Lord
Meet Sister Tess Rynn, SNDdeN
