Breaking Open the Word - Epiphany of the Lord

Epiphany sunday - january 8th, 2023

The Adoration of the Magi, by James Tissot

We just commemorated the great solemnity of Epiphany, the first revelation of Our Lord to the Gentiles. In our Scripture sharing for this beautiful feast, we began by discussing the First Reading from the prophet Isaiah. It is a glorious passage, so full of light, splendor, and joy. One level of interpretation sees it as a prophecy of the Church, which gathers the Jews and the Gentiles into one Body, the New Israel. Everything that is good, true, and beautiful in the cultures of the world can find its place in the Universal Church, so that she is truly adorned with “the riches of the nations.”

                Another interpretation takes this typology a step further and sees this passage as referring to Our Lady. This true “Daughter of Zion” received the Gentile Magi into her home on that first Epiphany, and she watched in awe as they poured out their treasures before the Child-God she held in her lap. Perhaps she, a faithful Jew and lover of the Scriptures, was recalling the many Old Testament prophecies that told of the pagan nations coming to faith in the God of Israel. Or perhaps she was remembering the words of Simeon, who told her that Jesus would be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.” (Luke 2:32) It is not hard to imagine that her heart began to “throb and overflow” with joy once more, perhaps repeating the words she once prayed in her Magnificat: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the LORD, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant!” (Luke 1:46-48)

                We also discussed the differences between this story of the Magi and the story of the shepherds on Christmas night. While the shepherds received a direct and unambiguous revelation from the mouths of angels, the Wise Men were led only by a mysterious star. The shepherds knew exactly where to find Jesus in the cave at Bethlehem; the Magi at first sought the “newborn King of the Jews” in the great city of Jerusalem, where one would expect to find an earthly ruler. What’s more, both of these stories are in contrast with another revelation of Jesus: that which was given to Simeon and Anna in the Temple. These devout Israelites received neither star nor angelic visitation, but simply an inner conviction from the Holy Spirit. All of this beautifully illustrates how God chooses to meet us where we are, to communicate with us in ways that we can understand. The Jewish shepherds, with their hope for a Messiah and their belief in the angels, were well-disposed to receive the message about Jesus from the “heavenly host.” The Magi, learned astronomers from Gentile nations, were led to the Infant King by means of a symbol they understood: the star. And Simeon and Anna, so devout and attuned to the working of the Holy Spirit, were able to receive God’s revelation in a wholly interior and spiritual manner. How beautiful to see God’s respect and love for our individuality!

                Finally, (being good Passionists!) we spoke about the connection between the Epiphany and the Passion. A retreat master once told us that frankincense and myrrh can both be a symbol of suffering – since they are produced by “wounding” a tree and gathering the dried sap which it exudes. When placed on the “coals” of Divine Love, these interior and exterior pains can become like fragrant incense, rising before the Lord in love and worship. Read in this light, the Wise Men could be seen as bringing Jesus the “gift” of our human sorrows. By pouring out their frankincense and myrrh at His little feet, they bring Him the cry of the nations longing for salvation. And Christ shows His acceptance of this offering by immediately entering into our condition of suffering and exile – the very next day, He and His parents are forced to flee to Egypt to escape Herod’s murderous wrath. Thus, even in His infancy Jesus is beginning His great work of redemption; the “newborn King of the Jews” will receive this title once again from the lips of the Roman soldiers during His Passion: “Hail, King of the Jews!” (Jn 19:3)