THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
The three kings
On the 6th January we celebrate the three wise men and their visit to Jesus, as we know they brought him gifts of Gold Frankincense and myrrh and these were very great and valuable gifts. As we reflect on the Magi and their gifts we should also remember for all the Gold and Silver that is in the Church of the here and now we should remember the humble start of it all: Jesus was born in a stable as there was no room in the inn. Jesus gave us the Eucharist at the Last supper in the upper room not in any great Cathedral and certainly not wearing elaborate vestments!! He simply told his apostles as he tells us do this in his memory and he said this after washing the apostles feet and in the time of Jesus the Master DID NOT wash the feet of anyone. Jesus died on a simple wooden Cross with two thieves one on each side of him no Gold frankincense or Myrrh there just the words of the thief when he said Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom. In the gospel reading for this feast the Magi or the Wise men represent the “mystery” made manifest in the lives of human beings.
Jesus was not born in a mighty city, nor was he an heir to a powerful ruler. Instead, he was born in Bethlehem, it was a backwater in the eyes of those of Herod’s court and the religious leaders in Jerusalem. Through the “least,” and the poor, Christ comes to us in our own time. That’s a lesson the church needs to continually learn and proclaim. We, like the Magi, will find Christ among the “least.” and this is the humble message that lies at the heart of our faith It is the message that Pope Francis is proclaiming in the world. Today, the call of the Savior is extended to each of us. What do we hear? Will we be humble enough to believe in the word of God, and daring enough to work toward its fulfillment? Will we believe? With God’s grace, we that is all of us together can do all these things for nothing is impossible for those who have faith.
Fullerton T 