Sunday, January 3, 2021 - Epiphany of the Lord - We have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship the Lord - Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 2, 1-12
The Church celebrates the Epiphany on this Sunday, or the manifestation of the Child Jesus to the Magi who came to adore him.
When the Magi told King Herod that a king had just been born in Bethlehem, he was afraid of losing his throne and took the child for a rival, an enemy. But Jesus did not come to earth as a king at all, because he was not born in a palace, in opulence. But He came in poverty and is invested with the power of God and not with the power of men.
These magi from pagan countries knew from wise calculations that Jesus was king. The poverty they saw in the newborn baby did not prevent them from worshipping Him and offering Him gifts. This is exactly what the prophet Isaiah said would happen when the East would offer gold and incense to the Lord and worship him. They were delighted to see the newborn baby, the king of joy and peace.
Today's Gospel therefore invites us to recognise that Jesus is the Messiah, just like those Magi from unbelieving countries. They are good examples for their hard work to find Jesus. They persevered to come to meet him. When we do not find Jesus, we do not have life because He alone is the Saviour. To find Jesus is to find the path that leads us to truth and life.
