Today’s Scriptures are best studied using the Bible and a dictionary. The event of the newborn Jesus is revealed as the manifestation of the long hoped-for Messiah of the Jewish people, and the Son of God incarnate, and thereby the light of all nations as the prophet Isaiah claimed (60:1–6). The Solemnity of Epiphany is celebrated on January 7 or the Sunday between Jan. 2–8. The term “epiphany” comes from the Greek epipháneia and means “manifestation.”
Christians, thus celebrate the manifestation of Jesus as Christ and Son of God to the whole world.
Most everyone knows the basic story of the 3 kings who follow a star to bring gifts for the baby Jesus.
The gifts of the three kings symbolize Christ’s identity and mission: gold for a king, incense for God, and myrrh used to anoint the dead. (Ironically, the Gospel of John states that Nicodemus brought a mixture of 75 pounds of aloe and myrrh to anoint Jesus’ body after the crucifixion.)
Historians have now “demoted the three Kings to refer to them as “3 magi or astrologers/priests trying to understand the meaning of the whole event.
In the first reading, the prophet reveals the expected transformation within Israel once the people embrace God’s plan for them.
… ”but upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance.”
In the second reading, Paul is telling the Ephesians that the gift of grace from the Spirit now revealed here is a universal gift. The objective to draw all peoples into Christ in order to unite them together into one body. “All the Gentiles can be copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.”
In the Gospel we hear … “They prostrated themselves and did him homage.”
The act of prostrating oneself is to lay on the ground face down in an act of reverence or submission. Prostration represents overwhelming humility. It can also symbolize death to oneself.
In many paintings of the Magi coming to worship Jesus, you will see one king at the feet of Jesus, or all of them lying on the ground. You may see pictures of the kings with arms folded over their chests in a posture of unworthiness, or arms held up in prayer in awe and worship.
Listen to Catholic mom Marya Hayes perspective:
Today in Mass, or before the Blessed Sacrament, and any other time we raise up our praise, we are worshiping, which is similar to paying homage. We can focus on what it means to submit one’s whole self to the allegiance of Christ and submit that our new purpose is His purpose, and His cause
What is his cause? To save souls, and to serve one another. He came to show us how to serve. We are the shepherds and the sheep. We are to follow, and to lead. We are to follow Christ, and to lead others to follow Christ.
Brothers and Sisters, All nations are invited to sing the Lord’s praises, for they have been called to hear the good news, and worship the long-awaited Messiah and King, with the gift of their lives.
