2nd January, 2011. The Epiphany. Year A
P Save a tree. Don't print this e-mail unless it's really necessary
One gets the impression that the Wise men’s greetings and respectful visit to King Herod, was nothing compared to the honour and worship that they accorded the new-born baby Jesus. And rightly so.
Herod was very, very concerned by what he was hearing. People everywhere were saying that the sign of a star moving across the skies… was a sure sign of political disaster for him…. And now there was talk that the coming messiah, a King, had been born. Next, foreign wise men come to pay tribute. It could not look worse for Herod.
Little did Herod and many others fail to realise, Jesus was not coming to take over an earthly kingdom. His kingship had nothing to do with the human concept of kingship, power and dominion. However, he was the king of all creation, and his birth was bad news to all who lived and acted by the old ways of privilege, domination, threat, control and ignoring the plight of the poor and downcast.
Herod was well known for his ruthlessness. He had even killed two relatives in the past, who he felt was a threat to his power. So, he would have no hesitation in killing non-relatives who were a perceived threat to his power.
The Wise men, how many there were we are not sure. We know that there are three types of gift.. but the bible does not say there were only three wise men. Some traditions say there were many more… even up to twelve.
In any case… the presents they give to Jesus are not just what is given to an earthly King… their presents indicate that they know that this is God whom they are worshipping. Gold for a King…. But frankinsense for a high priest…. And myhrr for someone who will suffer and die.. These foreign people of a different place, culture and religion realise that Jesus is the revelation of God… the King of all the earth and all heaven… and is to be worshipped, and not just bowed to…. Certainly Herod got none of this treatment…… It takes the breath away when we read the gospel that Herod says he too wants to go and do Jesus homage… when we all realise he probably would have had such hate and fear in his heart that he would have surely tried to kill jesus himself if he got anywhere near him… the wise men are warned of this and do not return to tell herod of Jesus’ whearabouts….
This feast is known is ‘little christmas’ because it recalls the revelation of God made human to the world…. It’s also the first and most ancient feast of Christ the King…….
As we celebrate this fest of the Manifestation of God’s presence amongst us…. Let us ask ourselves these questions…
As mentioned in today’s newsletter:
Let us reflect on some of the points of the Gospel today:
. The Magi asked for directions and followed them. Many people don’t like to ask for directions. Fewer care to take directions, preferring to follow our own authority.
• The magi were men of means and purpose who preferred to be led by a higher authority than merely their own.
• The Epiphany invites us to consider how ready we are to take the journey of faith.
In this Feast of the Epiphany:
- What more can I do to bring light to darkness in my own spirit as well as the hearts and minds of those around me?
- What "gifts" do I have to offer, and how can I best use them? Do I do everything I can to welcome people, just as the magi from the East were welcomed at the cradle of the infant Jesus?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
REFERENCES:
· FR. PAUL W. KELLY
· Prepare the word recources
· OSV – Priest notes on the feast.
No comments:
Post a Comment