Homily for Epiphany, Year B
Fr. Albert
St. Peter’s, New Iberia
Merry Christmas! Today’s feast of the Epiphany means that the Christmas season is just about over, but it’s not too late for presents! St. Matthew recounts the Epiphany for us here, and it’s given us some wonderful traditions. We have king cake, a delicious reminder of the fact that kings from the east came to worship a baby. It’s also the very first time that Christmas present were given, so children everywhere can be grateful for that. In fact, some Catholic cultures wait until Epiphany to exchange gifts. If you’ve already given presents, packed up decorations, and called Christmas done, then you’ve cheated yourself out of a little more festivity.
But, there’s still time to round out the Christmas season in the best way possible, if you capitalize on what this feast is about. Epiphany means “manifestation.” Although Jesus Christ has already been manifested to Mary, Joseph, and some shepherds, he was still unknown by Herod and all of Jerusalem. God had begun his work in quiet and hidden ways, but then came the time to make it manifest. As usual, God’s methods were designed to humble the proud people who were supposed to be awaiting the Messiah. Providence allowed these foreign mystics to break the news of a new Jewish king to the Jews.
And how do these chosen people respond? They were “greatly troubled.” Instead of rejoicing that God kept his promise and sent a savior king, they were worried about their political power and the status quo. The Magi had no such problems. They were truth-seekers. They saw the truth and decided to follow it wherever it led, even into a foreign country. Even when it meant dealing with the treacherous king Herod. Not only that, but they brought presents, gifts as a sign of their loyalty to God’s chosen king. They knew that following the Truth doesn’t end with accepting some idea, but with living according to what you find.
So, you chosen people of God, the people of St. Peter’s, how do you respond to the news of our newborn king? Are you troubled because his existence means you have to change; that you can’t just do whatever you feel like? Are you apathetic because he seems inactive and weak like a baby? Or are you eager to follow the star that leads to him? To bring gifts to the king as a sign of your loyalty?
I pray it is that last one. I pray that your most urgent question is this: what should I get for the God-King who has everything? Follow the lead of the Magi. They brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh. From very early on, the Church recognized that these gifts were highly symbolic. Each one tells us something about Jesus and each one tells us something about what we should bring to our divine, but humble king.
Gold signifies kingship. The Magi knew he was a king, so they brought him gold. Citizens pay taxes to their king. The Jews tithed – gave money – to support God’s priests, to keep up the Temple, and to support the poor. So, it should be obvious to us that, if we really believe Jesus is a King and that He is God, then we should be quite willing to give him some of our wealth and possessions. Yes, that means money in the collection basket, but it also means giving to the poor.
Legend also tells us the Magi themselves were kings. When they offered Jesus gold, they also – in a way – offered their own kingship. Each and every baptized Christian shares in Jesus’ own kingship. Even more than money, God wants you to live up to your royal heritage. As kings and queens, we are called to rule first and foremost over ourselves. Our royalty means that we should work constantly to apply the Law of God to our own lives. The world says to follow whatever you feel, but that is slavery, that is being dominated by animal instincts. Christians, however, should be known for their self-control because they use faith and reason to decide how to live rather than letting life and instinct decide for them. The gift Jesus wants from you is your own self-control.
Frankincense signifies priesthood. By bringing him this gift, the Magi recognized that Jesus the messiah was there to pray and offer sacrifice for his people. Each baptized Christian shares in Jesus’ priesthood. We are called to pray and offer sacrifice for ourselves, for the Church, and for the whole world. It is Jesus’ priesthood, so we strive to unite our prayer to his. We unite our sacrifice to his sacrifice. The gift that Jesus wants from you is your willingness to pray and to offer sacrifice for the salvation of souls. Let your prayer rise like incense.
Now, myrrh is an unusual present. The other two gifts are actually listed in our first reading, so the Magi knew to bring those. But myrrh is not on that list, so why bring it? Myrrh was a spice used in ointments to prepare a body for burial. Like bringing embalming fluid to a baby shower: it’s kind of a morbid thing to do. But, the Magi recognized that the messiah was going to suffer and die even though the Jews did not. The incense shows us that Jesus is a priest who offers sacrifice, but what does he sacrifice? A lamb? Or a bull?
No, the myrrh tells us that Jesus is going to sacrifice himself, that he is going to offer his own life. What does that mean for us? It means that the greatest gift we can give God is to literally give our life, to die for Him. Martyrdom. Martyrdom didn’t always mean death. The Greek word for martyr literally means “witness.” Dying for the truth was seen as the ultimate witness, so the word became synonymous with dying for the Truth. Still, the Magi were willing to travel, suffer, and humble themselves in their search for Truth. So, in a sense, they were martyrs: witnesses to the Truth. The gift that God wants from you is no different. It is your witness, your willingness to manifest God to others.
Epiphany always falls near the beginning of the civil year. It’s good to start with God manifesting himself. We see the Jews aren’t prepared, but the Magi are. As you form your New Year’s resolutions, it’s worth asking, what are you going to do for God this year, in 2018? Take your lead from the Magi: Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. How will you give God the gold of your time, your talent, your treasure? How will you embrace your royal heritage with self-control? How will you offer the incense of prayer and sacrifice? How will you give to God the myrrh of witness; How will you offer to Him your very life itself?
