Divine Encounter
THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
Today we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. According to the Catechism, "Epiphany is the manifestation of Jesus as the Messiah of Israel, Son of God, and Savior of the world." The Catechism also points out that Epiphany is threefold: the adoration of Jesus by the wise men (magi) from the East, the baptism in Jordan, and the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee. The gospel we've heard focuses on the encounter and adoration of the three wise men for Jesus, who is manifested as King and Savior of all nations. This encounter with the Lord gives us an idea of how we meet the Lord in prayer. Let us look at the example of the Magi as they give a gift and gaze on the Lord. Thus, the Magi adored the Lord by prostrating, opening, and offering.
First, the Magi prostrated themselves and did Him homage. In our day and age, many people are indifferent to God; many are far from God, and yet God became man to seek us and to welcome us, as He manifested Himself to the wise men. These wise men are the Gentiles, which, at the time, they identified as agnostics. Magi are the wise men who study and investigate the stars. This tells us that even scientific and intellectual people have the capacity to recognize and know God in their lives. They did this by searching diligently. They have come to the point wherein they search for true meaning, true wisdom, and true peace, and they found all of this as they saw the Child Jesus as they prostrated themselves to Him.
Second, the Magi opened their treasures. The treasures that the Magi gave to Our Lord are gold to honor His kingship, frankincense to honor His Divinity, and myrrh to honor His Humanity, which was destined for death. These are the treasures they presented to Our Lord in adoration and thanksgiving. At that time, these things are given only to a very important person, and as they go and follow the star, they only see a baby, and this baby will save and conquer the world—the true star of the world. Because, as Ven. Fulton Sheen said, "Divinity is always where one least expects to find it." This leads us to ask ourselves, "What have we not yet opened to God as He has manifested Himself to us?"
Third, the Magi offered their gifts. As they opened their treasures, they offered them up to the Lord. As we open ourselves up to the Lord, it indicates sacrifice, and you will achieve that sacrifice by offering it up. With that, the gifts we have received from the Lord will be returned as gifts to others. This is the way Jesus demonstrated self-giving sacrifice throughout His life, the way that ultimately will lead us into fulfillment as we encounter the Lord and make our lives new again as we follow Him.
Thus, the Magi encounter the Lord in a spirit of adoration through prostration, opening themselves and offering them up to the Lord. This is the invitation that God has revealed to us on the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. Let us prostrate ourselves, open the door of our hearts, and offer our gifts to the Lord in thanksgiving and adoration.
