Today is the Feast of the Epiphany, traditionally known as the Feast of the Three Kings. They certainly were not kings and it is not certain if there were indeed three. But like the wise men that they were, they were seekers of the truth and wisdom. “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” As seekers of the truth and wisdom, they did not take away anything to that which they were searching for. Instead they gave of what they had. “Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Often, in my own search for truth and wisdom, I still ask the question: what is in it for me? What do I get in return? The magi teach me that it is in giving that I receive the truth and wisdom I seek.
The Epiphany celebrates the manifestation of God to the Gentiles. It was not the rich and the powerful nor the cream of the Israelite society who were in attendance at the birth of Christ. It was the poor shepherds, the lowly animals and the strangers. He was not born in Jerusalem but in the hicktown of Bethlehem. He was not born of famous parents but of a simple carpenter and an innocent maiden. Mary’s song, the Magnificat, finds its fulfillment in the Christmas event and the subsequent Epiphanies: “He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.”
God’s ways are not our ways. Where we would rather work with power and might, he creates wondrous things out of the least and poorest among us. Where we would exclude those we do not like or agree with, God welcomes everyone and includes everybody and everything. Where we would draw limits and conditions, God goes all the way – way beyond our expectations.
These are such simple truths but such simple truths are often the most difficult to see and learn.
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.
Matthew 2:1-12