When I was younger, I joined the Boy Scouts. I had a sort of fascination for adventure and exploring the world. It was if I needed to discover something new every day, to learn something different, not to mention my attraction to travel, to move around, to be outside. Plus, I’ve always admired curious people, researches, seekers, and seers.
Every human being asks questions about the meaning and the reason for existing in various ways. Moreover, we all have the equipment to do so; we have the tools to make questions and to find answers. During our lifetime, we solve some puzzles and deep “why’s.” It is an exciting exercise that opens new problems along with the answers we get. That’s the configuration of one crucial human dimension: asking, seeking, exploring.
This weekend’s celebration, Epiphany, as part of the Christmas season, invites us to explore that spiritual dimension that also has some implications in the relationships we establish, in the daily decision-making process as well as in the life-long choices we make.
The Solemnity of this Sunday has a resounding name: “Epiphany,” a Greek word that means “manifestation.” There are two essential characters in Matthew’s gospel (2:1-12): the magi and the star. The wise men seek, the star points out. There is also an antagonist in this narrative, king Herod who also seeks but with a dark intention.
The gospel says: “When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”
Many authors agree in the relation between the universal meaning of Jesus’ message of salvation and the presence of these wise men from the east (no Jewish) as part of the whole story of the Nativity. This universal call has been announced since the time of the prophets, as Isaiah testifies: “Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance… Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.” (Isaiah 60:3.6)
The Greek word “magi” has an interesting connotation. They are not illusionists but wise men, sages, seekers of new and hidden meanings of the modern and ancient wisdom. These characters represent both peoples everywhere that receive the message of salvation and those who are looking for answers to have a better understanding of life. The wise men represent the spiritual dimension of seeking the “why” and the “how” of life that shows up in the early ages of life and remains in the depth of our souls, even though we don’t pay attention to it very often.
We all, in one way or another, are looking for something in life, whether consciously or not. It may be a soulmate, a suitable job, friendship, or an occupation. We might want to understand many things in our life. In all the above we look for what we call the meaning of existence. God has been manifested to answer every question, to guide every human heart toward the path of salvation.
The magi have seen the rising of the star as a cosmic sign of some important event. There are interpretations regarding this phenomenon around the time of the birth of Jesus (a supernova or a comet.) Perhaps the expression “We saw his star at its rising” refers to the passage of the book of Numbers (24:17) “A star shall advance from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Israel…”
The star is the symbol of the various sings we find along the way to get the answers we need for a deeper understanding of our existence. The star represents the counterpart of the human dimension of seeking and searching. It is the given sign, the offered clue that leads the way of pursuers to find what they are looking for.
Here, Christian faith gives us an essential element: God manifests himself. He is visible and approachable. He has offered his presence to answer any question we might have.
Let me propose a meaning of what we are celebrating today. We all, in one way or another, are looking for something in life, whether consciously or not. It may be a soulmate, a suitable job, friendship, or an occupation. We might want to understand many things in our life. In all the above we look for what we call the meaning of existence.
The God of Jesus is one who wanted to make himself visible in his Son. Through him, He offers the answers we sometimes anxiously longing for. Therefore, above all the Nativity of
Jesus Christ is an existential event that synchronizes with the human dimension of searching.
At the encounter with Jesus, the wise men prostrated themselves in adoration beholding the King they were looking for. They recognized that in the infant is singular, unique. The reverent gesture is a confession of faith itself. God has been manifested to answer every question, to guide every human heart toward the path of salvation.
Something that we yearn without even knowing.
Consequently, this is a hopeful celebration. Every single search has a result, every question has an answer, every journey brings a lesson, and every adventure leaves us with something to learn.
While I was a boy scout, every camping taught me something important, but the desire to learn more grew and the need to begin new adventures has been there ever since. I never guessed that my desire to know more would lead me to the priesthood.
In Jesus Christ, God became accessible to every human being as we are capable of finding him because He wants so.
Happy Feast of the Manifestation of “God-is-with-us”
