REV.
FR. EZEKOKA PETER ONYEKACHI
The word Epiphany comes
from the Greek epiphaneia which means
manifestation/appearance. Its original usage was with reference to the
appearance of a deity to an adherent; a sort of theophany. Indeed, another synonym
for epiphany is theophany. The word is used in the Scriptures to refer to the
manifestation of the God of Israel (cf. 2 Maccabees 15:27), and to the birth of
Christ or to his post-resurrection appearance (cf. 2 Tim. 1:10). In the
Christian faith then, epiphany which also is theophany is a feast that
celebrates the revelation of God in His Son as human in Jesus Christ. It
remembers principally the visit of the magi to the infant Jesus and thus,
Jesus’ manifestation to the gentiles. It is because of this visit of the magi
that this feast is also regarded (especially in the United States) as the feast
of the three kings.
The Magi and the Stars
The Magi were a caste
of wise men, variously associated with interpretation of dreams, astrology and
magic. They are said to have come from Medes, which is a part of the empire of
the Persians (that is why the Bible recorded that they come from the East). History
has it that they tried to overthrow the Persians and substitute the power of
the Medes, but the attempt failed. Ever since, they resorted to holiness and
the search for wisdom, ceasing the ambition for power and prestige. They became
in Persia almost exactly what the Levites were for Israel. Hence, they were the
instructors and teachers of the Persian kings and no sacrifice could be offered
safe one of the magi was present. These men were skilled in Philosophy,
medicine and natural science, and were known for their goodness, truthfulness
and holiness. There was a firm belief in Astrology, and how it could affect the
lives of men. People believed that the stars are connected to man’s destiny. The
magi share in this belief and help to interpret the stars in connection to
human destiny.
In those days, on the
first day of the Egyptian month, Mesori,
Sirius, the dog star, rose at sunrise, and shone with extraordinary brilliance.
The name mesori means the birth of a prince, and to those
ancient astrologers, such a star would undoubtedly mean the birth of some great
king. We may not tell what star these magi saw. What we can say is that it was
their profession to watch the heavens, and some heaven brilliance spoke to them
about the entry of a king into the world. It may seem to us extraordinary that
those men should embark on a journey from the East to find a king, but the
strange thing is that, just about the time Jesus was born, there was in the
world a strange feeling of expectation of the coming of a king. And what makes
the feast of Epiphany extraordinary is that these wise men were gentiles. God chose
to manifest Himself to Gentiles. This is the emphasis of the Second Reading
(Eph. 3:2-3a.5-6); the gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and
partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.
The Implications of the
visit of the magi
1. These wise are
representatives of the Gentile world in all its racial diversity who come to
Christ. How we are born, when we are born, where we are born, and the way we
are born do not in any way influence negatively our belongingness into the
family of Christ. As an African, I stand the chance of making heaven as the
Asian, the American, or the European. The king that is manifested to the world
is a universal king. His reign knows no bound. His kingdom knows no
discrimination. Never be intimidated by the world when she gives you the
impression that you have not been chosen by God for salvation. We all are a
chosen race; a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people set apart to sing the
glory of the Lord (1 Pet. 2:9).
2. Something we must
understand is that these magi sought God in their situation and profession. They
discovered the king of the world through the seriousness they had in their area
of specialization. As interpreters of the stars, they found the Messiah. We too
can find the Messiah in our areas of work and profession. It is of no need
expecting to discover Christ outside your profession and career. Your discovery
of Christ Jesus and your knowledge of him have to take its bearing from what
you do in life. As a medical practitioner, you must discover the manifested
Saviour; as a lawyer, you must discover the manifested Lord; as a business man,
you must discover the manifested Christ; as a priest, we must discover the
manifested Christ, etc. It is in this discovery that we can understand the
mission inherent in our professions, vocations and careers.
3. Our professions are
the easy means for our sanctification as well as for our damnation. The wise
men were wise enough to discover the evil plan in the message of Herod. Their wisdom
led them to a perfect decision of not trying to frustrate the handiwork of God
for the world. And so, the world was saved. Our careers in life are the means
God expects us to save our world, not to destroy it. Do not employ your
profession as a means of exhibiting vices that are inimical to the progress of
mankind and the reign of God in our world. We have tried to destroy the plans
God has for us through various means of corruption, bribery, nepotism, and
racism. Just as the wise men rejoiced and promoted the course of God during
their epoch, we too must rejoice and promote the plans of God for our fellows
and for our world.
4. Another thing we
must understand is that the wise men were never known to be three in number
that went to the infant Jesus. Their number settled at three deduced from the
three gifts they gave to the infant. And eventually, they were named: Caspar,
Balthasar and Melchior, where it is said that Caspar was a black. They offered
gifts that represented the three states matter can exist: solid, liquid and
gas. All created reality exists in these three forms. Thus, by offering gold
(which is solid), frankincense (which is gaseous), and myrrh (which is liquid),
they gave back to God everything He created. This signifies that all of creation
is God’s own. So, if all of creation is God’s own, we must be disposed to offer
back to God whatever we make from our career. We must be willing to offer
tangible gifts to the God who has so manifested Himself to us. We must also
offer our human soul as our gold, our human spirit as our frankincense, and our
human body as our myrrh; and thus offering the entirety of our being to Jesus
who continuous to reveal Himself in very many ways to us.
5. Apart from
considering these gifts from the side of man, they have been known by scholars
to have had indications on the mission of Christ. The lists of these gifts may
have been inspired by Isaiah 60: 6, 11, 13, which along with Psalm 72:10-11 is
implicitly cited. This is where the First Reading (Isaiah 60:1-6) comes in as a
prefiguration of the action of these wise men. They shall bring gold and Frankincense and shall proclaim the praise of
the Lord. The Psalmist also says that the king of Tarshish and of distant
shores will pay tribute to the king, and the kings of Sheba and Seba shall
bring Him gifts. These gifts point to the mission of Christ. Gold came to
signify the kingship of Christ, Frankincense his divinity, and Myrrh his
redemptive suffering. Sometimes, we must see in gifts offered to us as
Christians from the perspective of what we are expected of. For instance, when people
offer you flowers, they enjoin us to practice selfless love all the more. Try to
see in the gift you receive from people a call to grow more in the virtues of
our Lord Jesus Christ.
6. Lastly, epiphany is
meant to transform man. If epiphany can be rendered as theophany, which is the
manifestation of God, then we must also realise that every manifestation is
itself revelatory. And so, epiphany brings to our awareness the undying
manifestation of God to man since creation. What God has been doing since
creation is simply revelation. But the revelation of God must lead man to the
discovery of himself, and of how to relate to the realities around him. Man
must see in his intelligence a revelation of an intelligent God. He must see in
the growing scientific expertise a revelation of an omniscient God. He must see
in the internet and communication technologies a revelation of a God who
communicates and writes to every man. In fact, revelation leads to a better
knowledge of man’s world. And so, the feast of epiphany calls our attention to strive
more to understand our world and our human society better. May this year be one
that will initiate knowledge and calmness
to our world bereft of wisdom and peace. Amen. Happy Epiphany. Happy New Week. God
bless you.
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