Dec 31, 2018
Readings:
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:-12,7-8, 10-13
Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6
Matthew 2:1-12
An "epiphany" is an appearance. In today's readings, with their
rising stars, splendorous lights and mysteries revealed, the face
of the child born on Christmas day appears.
Herod, in today's Gospel, asks the chief priests and scribes where
the Messiah is to be born. The answer Matthew puts on their lips
says much more, combining two strands of Old Testament promise -
one revealing the Messiah to be from the line of David (see
2
Samuel 2:5), the other predicting "a ruler of Israel" who will
"shepherd his flock" and whose "greatness shall reach to the ends
of the earth" (see Micah
5:1-3).
Those promises of Israel's king ruling the nations resound also in
today's Psalm. The psalm celebrates David's son, Solomon. His
kingdom, we sing, will stretch "to the ends of the earth," and the
world's kings will pay Him homage. That's the scene too in today's
First Reading, as nations stream from the East, bearing "gold and
frankincense" for Israel's king.
The Magi's pilgrimage in today's Gospel marks the fulfillment of
God's promises. The Magi, probably Persian astrologers, are
following the star that Balaam predicted would rise along with the
ruler's staff over the house of Jacob (see Numbers
24:17).
Laden with gold and spices, their journey evokes those made to
Solomon by the Queen of Sheba and the "kings of the earth" (see
1
Kings 10:2,25;
2
Chronicles 9:24). Interestingly, the only other places where
frankincense and myrrh are mentioned together are in songs about
Solomon (see Song of Songs
3:6, 4:6,14).
One greater than Solomon is here (see Luke
11:31). He has come to reveal that all peoples are "co-heirs"
of the royal family of Israel, as today's Epistle teaches.
His manifestation forces us to choose: Will we follow the signs
that lead to Him as the wise Magi did? Or will we be like those
priests and the scribes who let God's words of promise become dead
letters on an ancient page?