Deacon Ron's homily for Epiphany - Like the Magi, we too can personally encounter Jesus

Good morning!  Today we celebrate the Epiphany when the Magi came to find a newborn king.  We’ve also just started a new calendar year, which is a time that many of us are making resolutions to improve ourselves.  I hope that the Magi’s quest will help inspire your resolutions for the New Year. 

In today’s Gospel we hear about two main characters, Herod and the magi. There is a sharp contrast between them. The magi were Persian mystics that advised kings through interpretation of stars.  They were known for their wisdom. As advisors to kings they would be pretty well taken care of.  What would cause them to leave the comfort of their homes and travel so far in search of a newborn king?  There must have been some reason, an inner unrest and a search for hope, which caused them to seek for answers.    A biblical prophecy known outside Israel may have prompted them,

“I see him, but not now, I behold him, but not nigh; a star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.” (Num 24-17)

The magi may have been seeking a savior for their situation, and this prophecy led them to Israel.

The Romans had appointed Herod as king of Israel, who was not of Jewish lineage.   This was probably through his political connections and his desire for power. The fact that he was not Jewish may have made him a bit paranoid. He was such ruthless ruler that even took the life of two of his own sons to defend his power. When Herod hears the magi are searching for a newborn king he’s troubled as it’s a threat to his wealth and power.  In learning that Bethlehem is the place where the newborn king is to be born he secretly asks the magi to go there and report back so he can pay homage.  We know this is a lie, as Herod plans to eliminate the newborn king.  He acts with fear, disrespect, and greed to protect his own interests.

The magi were searching for the newborn king and followed the star far from their homeland. We are told the magi were overjoyed at seeing this star, a reaction quite opposite to Herod. The magi’s encounter with the child Jesus brought about a profound reaction from them.  They had an epiphany.

The word Epiphany actually means ‘a personal encounter with God’.   To know and encounter Jesus is to know God personally.  So what did the magi do? They prostrated in homage and opened up their treasures offering their best gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This response showed reverence and honor for a divine king.  After their personal encounter the magi didn’t go back to Herod as God warned them in a dream to “depart for their country by another way”.  When we personally encounter Jesus like the magi and fully understand who he is, he will lead us in the right directions, which will bring us joy.

In today’s world there are still “Herods” at work trying to eliminate Jesus out of fear that He will take away their power.   Nativity scenes have been banished from public places.   The words Merry Christmas have been discouraged and replaced with Happy Holidays.   In some places, Jesus name is being removed from Christmas carols.

Fortunately we have the Church that makes the personal encounter with Christ possible.  We celebrate Advent and Christmas every year so we can experience Him coming in the world as a baby like each of us.   We are also blessed to have the personal encounter with Jesus in the sacraments.  He feeds us with his body and blood, anoints us with oil to spiritually strengthen us in illnesses, and gives us peace when we hear Him forgive our sins through His priests.

I had a unique experience while visiting another church over Christmas that brought this all together.  This church had a large nativity scene in the sanctuary.  As I went up to receive communion the minister held up the cup and directly behind it the baby Jesus was in the manger with arms wide open.  It reminded me of a few of the many gifts that Jesus gave us: the gifts of himself in Church and Sacrament.

So as you choose your New Year resolutions consider making it a priority to seek a personal encounter with newborn king as the wise magi did.  They had a profound personal experience that brought such joy and gratitude that they offered homage and gave their best gifts to him.  God in return showed led them in the right direction steering clear of the dangers of Herod. By being in relationship with Jesus daily we can have the same joy, gratitude, and right direction in our lives.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI had this to say in his first encyclical, God is Love:

“Being a Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction”.

In making your resolutions a few suggestions to consider are:

1)  To schedule time to be with Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration.

2)  Commit to reading one of the books handed out by the parish this or past Christmas.

3) Spending time with Jesus daily by reading or listening to the upcoming Sunday or daily Mass readings.

4) Commit to frequent encounters with Christ in the sacraments and to learning what Church really teaches about them.

5) Sharing the talent that you consider the greatest gift God has given you to help others encounter Christ.  It may be as simple as talking about your faith with co-workers or helping in an outreach ministry through the parish. 

I hope that you and your families have a blessed New Year as you personally encounter Christ each day experiencing joy & gratitude just like the magi.