Epiphany January 3, 2016
Growing up we always set up our Nativity set for Christmas. If you looked closely at the wise men you could see they were different nationalities – one was Asian, one African, and one European. The wise menare meant to represent all nations and all of us – the whole world coming to give this homage and Adoration to Jesus. Jesus came not just to save a few or a select group of people but to be the Savior of the World.
I want to make just three points about the Magi today. First, their journey to Jesus reminds us that all of us our on a journey to see God face to face. Our life is a pilgrimage to God. It is so important to remember where we are headed because that impacts the choices and decision in my life. I can ask the simple question, “Is this helping me get to heaven or leading me away from God?”
One thing that reminds us that life is a journey is to make a pilgrimage. During this Year of Mercy Pope Francis has invited all of us to make a pilgrimage. The Holy Doors of the basilicas in Rome are going to be open. But knowing that everyone cannot make pilgrimage to Rome, he has allowed that holy doors be designated in each Diocese. So, Archbishop Naumann has designated 6 churches in our Archdiocese as pilgrimage destinations for the Year of Mercy. Divine Mercy Church in Gardner, Our Cathedral, Sacred Heart Church in Mound City, Assumption Church in Topeka, St. Mary’s church in St. Benedict’s Kansas, and St. Benedict’s Church in Atchison, KS. There is a plenary indulgence attached to going through the holy door at one of these churches which does not involve forgiveness of sins but a remission of temporal punishment due to sin.
The whole idea of making one of these pilgrimages is to remind us we are on a journey to heaven. And how do we get to heaven? -By passing through the door. Who is the door? Jesus Christ. Remember, he says, “I am the gate – or I am the door.” “No one comes to the Father except through me.” Consider making a pilgrimage as a family during this Year of Mercy.
Second point: I want to reflect on the gifts the Magi brought to Jesus: gold, frankincense and myrrh. The gifts of the Magi reveal to us who Jesus is. We are celebrating the feast of Epiphany. The word Epiphany means, “Manifestation,” or to reveal. The gifts the Magi give to Jesus reveal to us who this little baby born in Bethlehem really is. First, the gift of frankincense: incense is used in our worship of God. Jesus is true God! In the person of Jesus Christ, God visited his people. He is Emmanuel which means God is with us. Now in the person of Jesus we can see God, touch God, and hear God.
Second, consider the gift of gold. Gold is a gift for a king. Jesus in Lord of lord’s and King of kings. Do we receive this news with joy or are we troubled like Herod? Why was Herod so upset to hear about the birth of Jesus? Because the Magi said, “We have come to pay homage to the newborn king!” There cannot be two kings in town! Herod wants to be king. This is the ancient sin of pride. We want to be king and lord of our lives! This is a good question for us: have we really submitted our lives to the lordship of Jesus? Or do we have the attitude that my life is my own. I do whatever I want? Have I placed everything under the Lordship of Jesus: My finances, my family, my sexuality, my eating & drinking, my work, my whole life?
What enables me to surrender to a Jesus as my king? I have to trust Jesus. Normally, when we think of giving control over to someone, that’s a bit scary. But Jesus reassures us. He is not a task master or one who has come to impose heavy burdens. Rather, he tell us I have come not be served but to serve and give my life as a ransom for many. We can trust to give our lives to this king because he loves us and is willing to give up everything including his own life to save us.
That brings us to the final gift: myrrh - a burial spice. Seems like a funny gift to give to a baby. Why a burial spice? It is a prophetic gift that reveals to us that Jesus will suffer and die for us. Jesus came into the world with a singular purpose: to die for our salvation. Jesus is the only one who came into the world with the sole purpose of dying! God is incapable of suffering, but he assumed our human nature so that he could suffer for us – that’s how much he loves us.
Final point: The Magi’s greatest gift to Jesus was not gold, or frankincense or myrrh. You know what their greatest gift was? -Their homage and adoration. What God wants most is our worship. That’s why we are here. When we come into church we genuflect, we go down on our right knew as a sign of adoration for our king here in the Eucharist. During the Eucharistic prayer we kneel in Adoration as Jesus comes to us in the Eucharist under the appearance of bread and wine.
We come to Mass for lots of different reasons: perhaps we come for ourselves. We may come seeking inspiration or a spiritual experience. Perhaps we are here for others: to pray for someone or to be a part of the church’s mission to serve the poor and suffering. Those are all good reason, but first and foremost the object of our faith is God. The greatest gift we give to God is our homage and worship. That’s ultimately why we are here. Like the Magi we come here to give Jesus our new born king our homage and adoration.