Deacon Larry

  January 4, 2009

Epiphany

Is 60: 1-6; Eph 3: 2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2: 1-12

Dc. Larry Brockman

Rejoice! Today is your feast, because today the gentiles experienced salvation.  You are all members of the Kingdom of God.  Or are you?   Before you answer, consider this quote from St. Augustine:

 “What we see, then, is that two societies have issued from two kinds of love.   Worldly society has flowered from a selfish love which dared to despise even God; whereas the communion of saints is rooted in a love of God that is ready to trample on self.    In a word, this latter relies on the Lord; whereas the other boasts that it can get along by itself.   The city of man seeks the praise of men; whereas the height of glory for the other is to hear God in the witness of conscience [City of God XIV.28]”.   

So, perhaps a better question is this:  Which of the two societies do you belong to, the city of Man, or the City of God?  

The Gospel story today talks about the contrast between people in these two societies at the time of Christ’s birth.  The Magi dedicated time, effort, and their treasure to finding Christ and paying Him homage.  They were educated men, probably from ancient Babylon- scientists, who followed the signs, not knowing where they would take them, but determined to find the newborn King of the Jews.   When the going got rough, and they lost sight of the Star, they kept their cool, they kept their faith, and they kept sight of their goal.   They were humble men, not thinking of themselves.  So, they asked for help, and were sent to Bethlehem, only to discover the return of the star, validating their action.  When they saw the Christ Child, they paid him homage, and they left precious gifts.  These men then returned, anxious to share their joy with their own countrymen and decided not to report back to Herod.  The Magi were not Jews- they were Gentiles.  They fulfilled the promise and the prophesy in the First Reading, a promise that the salvation brought by Christ would be shared with all people.

Contrast the Magi with Herod and the leaders in Jerusalem.  When apprised of the Magi’s mission, Herod checked with the authorities to find out where the Messiah would be born.  He was told in Bethlehem, and passed that on.  But Herod was not happy with the idea of a new King.  He was trembling with fear.  Herod, and his cohorts, were in control.  They didn’t want a King; they didn’t want a Messiah.  They were capable of getting along themselves.  And so, Herod cunningly tried to get the Magi to help him.  He wanted the Magi to report back if they found the child so he could destroy his competition.  The proof of this is the slaughter of the Holy Innocents ordered by Herod.  Herod and the leaders were part of the worldly society, not the city of God.   

The contrast between these two- Herod and the Magi, is stark.  For us, the contrast is less so.  But, to answer the question- which society do we belong to, we need to probe a bit and be honest with ourselves.   

There are three areas where you might hold back on accepting Christ.  First, perhaps it’s your goals in life.    Maybe you are primarily thinking that great achievements will give meaning to your life.  They won’t – only Christ will.  The only achievement that will last is that of fulfilling his will, following his example and his teachings.  Feeling a need to achieve is good, but it can’t be something that consumes you.  So today, let’s lay those achievements, those gold medals you covet so much,  at the feet of the baby Jesus, just like the Magi offered the gift of gold.   

Maybe it’s the affections of your heart that are your diversion.   Maybe you still think that the perfect relationship will give meaning to your life- your spouse, friends, or a boss; or possibly it is things that make you comfortable or happy that are your diversion- a car, a TV, or clothes.  Relationships and things, in themselves, won’t bring you the joy of Christmas.  There is no such thing as the perfect relationship – at least, not without Christ, because all of us are imperfect, and so we need to bear with the imperfections of others.  In fact, Christ is the one who gives every relationship its lasting beauty and joy because of the loving example he set in relationships.  And perfect happiness is not found in having things.  So, strive to please him first, and then he will make your relationships pleasing beyond your wildest dreams, and you will be content with what gifts you have.  Today, let’s lay the affections of the heart at his feet,   just as the Magi offered our Lord the sweet smell of their frankincense.   

Lastly, maybe it’s your sufferings that are a diversion.  Maybe you are angry at God for the hurt you have experienced in life.  But if God has permitted it, it’s only because he knows he can transform you through that suffering.  All people, and especially Jesus, are subject to suffering.  Let’s stop rebelling against our King and loving Lord and lay our sufferings at his feet – just as the Magi offered him their myrrh, the spicy ointment used to embalm bodies for burial.   

Lastly, the Magi demonstrated an additional virtue that is a key in determining which society we belong to.  The Magi lived their faith and demonstrated it to others.  If you separate your faith from your Mission in the World, then you have not been truly born as a Christian.

There’s a story about Alexander the great that makes this point.  One night during a campaign, he couldn’t sleep and left his tent to walk around the camp.   He came across a soldier asleep on guard duty – a serious offense.  The penalty for falling asleep on guard duty was often instant death.  The soldier began to wake up as Alexander the Great approached him.   Recognizing who was standing in front of him, the young man feared for his life.   “Do you know what the penalty is for falling asleep on guard duty?” Alexander the Great asked the soldier.  “Yes, sir,” the soldier responded in a quivering voice.  “Soldier, what’s your name?” demanded Alexander the Great.  “Alexander, sir.”  Alexander the Great repeated: “What is your name?”  “My name is Alexander, sir,” the soldier repeated.  A third time and more loudly Alexander the Great asked, “What is your name?”  A third time the soldier meekly said, “My name is Alexander, sir.”  Alexander the Great then looked the soldier straight in the eye.   “Soldier,” he said with intensity, “either change your name or change your conduct.”  Likewise, you will know you are a Christian by your conduct! 

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 3rd, 2009 at 10:13 pm and is filed under Holy Family Sunday Homilies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.