My dear parishioners,
God is Good!!! All the time!!! And all the time!!! God is Good!!!
In our first reading, the prophet urges bride Jerusalem to rise from her sorrows and stand confidently in the light of God’s presence. The vocabulary in the opening lines contributes to this theme of light: glory, shine, and radiance. The rest of the earth is still clouded over with the darkness of sin and ignorance. But Jerusalem stands as a beacon of light, guiding them to the path of life. The nations are encouraged to walk by the light emanating from Jerusalem. It is not a light generated by any earthly source, but a light that comes from God. It is glory because it brings salvation to all the world. The nations are described as Jerusalem’s sons and daughters; they make up a new generation full of promise.
The contrasts in this Gospel passage from Matthew are deliberate and powerful. Those who should accept the news about the birth of Jesus, the Messiah, want to reject him, while Magi from the East come to pay him homage. Jesus, the king of the Jews, is born in humble surroundings while Herod the Great, a vassal king, lives in luxury.
Magi from the East. It is shocking that the first people to recognize that the newborn Jesus was the king of the Jews, the long-awaited Messiah, were Magi from the East. They were outsiders, followers of Zoroaster, who had arrived at Jerusalem by following a star. Great people at birth were often said to have their own star designating their importance. There is also a similar star found in the Balaam narrative of Numbers 22–24. Notice, the Magi have come to Jerusalem not just to see this newborn king of the Jews but to do him homage.
King Herod being Herod. King Herod finds the presence of the Magi, their seeming knowledge about a newborn king, and his own ignorance about all these matters, very disturbing. Immediately, he begins scheming to get information about the Messiah so he can have him eliminated. While the Magi are always portrayed as manifesting a great sense of nobility, King Herod is filled with fear and paranoia. All of his advisors, the chief priests, and the scribes share king Herod’s consternation.
Gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The star continues its mission of guiding the Magi to the location of the newborn king of the Jews. As soon as the Magi see the child they bow down and do him homage. It is important to note that even though Mary is present, the Magi focus all their attention on the child. He is the savior, the Messiah, the Lord. According to the customs of hospitality, the Magi present gifts to the newborn king of the Jews. Gold is a precious metal, frankincense was a rich perfume, and myrrh was an oil for anointing. Some see the gift of myrrh as pointing ahead to the ultimate saving death of this child. This has been a truly exceptional manifestation of the newborn king of the Jews. The outsiders have become the insiders while the insiders remained confused
Excerpts from “Sunday Homily Helps”, is used by permission of Franciscan Media. www.FranciscanMedia.org
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Aloysius