Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72: 1-2, 708, 10-11, 12-13; Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12
ABBOT LAWRENCE – ST. GREGORY’S ABBEY
It’s not very far from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. It’s only about five or six miles. That’s like going from Abbey to the south side of Tecumseh or to Bethel or to South Rock Creek – not even reaching a county line! It’s not that far at all, even if there were no paved roads or fast cars. And yet, the man who was known as Herod the Great, who built splendid palaces, a huge seaport to promote trade, and brokered a mutually beneficial deal with the Roman Empire, was not aware of incredibly important things going on practically under his own nose. Even though he had at his disposal experts on the writings and visions of the prophets of Israel, he still did not know what was unfolding in the insignificant Town of Judah known as Bethlehem just a few miles away. He was not aware. I wonder why. Perhaps it was because he was so focused on his strong-handed and even ruthlessly murderous grip on power that he had lost he ability to see beyond the fortified walls of Jerusalem, the excluding walls of his palace, and the blinding wall of his royal nose.
It’s quite a bit farther from Persia to Bethlehem, which is one of the places where the magi might have begun their journey after seeing a new star rising in the constellation ancient Near-East astrologers associated at the time with Israel (Pisces – the Fish – ICTHUS). It was over 1,100 miles. That would be like going from the Abbey to Mexico City, or Toronto, or Los Angeles, or Miami, or Washington, DC. That is a long way even with modern interstate highways!
And yet, a group of magi, astrologers or “wise men,” noticed a new light in the heavens and realized something very important was happening in that foreign land far beyond their horizon. They did not want to miss it. And so, as the hymn goes, they “traversed afar,” passing through “field and fountain, moor and mountain” following “yonder star.” They no doubt had to pass through territories and borders governed by suspicious rulers or lawless bandits. Unlike Herod, they were not blinded by their power or hide themselves behind protective walls. They were wise seekers of truth, and understood that what would bring them joy would not necessarily be found in what they already knew or try to control. They were not sure what they were going to find. Nonetheless, they probably were a little taken aback when they inquired at Herod the Great’s palace only to learn that he did not know what they were talking about. Being wise, they no doubt sensed the suspicion and fear and rage that flashed through Herod’s eyes when they asked about a newborn king of the Jews. They also no doubt could see through his crocodile smile when he so graciously asked them to return to tell him about the child so that he also could pay his own proper respects to the one who might one day take his throne, his palaces, his possessions, his power.
The magi wisely continued their search. And when they reached the place where the new heavenly sign stopped, they discovered not a babe born with a silver spoon in his mouth, wrapped in silk and fur and nursed by a nanny in a marble-covered room. Rather, they discovered a child in a simple dwelling, cared for by a young first-time mother and a craftsman, displaced from their hometown and living precariously in simplicity if not poverty. (The gospel of Matthew does not really place the visit of the magi in the stable where Jesus was born and where the shepherds came to see him after the angels announced his birth.) Nonetheless, they were not blinded by their own expectations. They could recognize in the child the meaning of the heavenly light that they followed. They paid homage to the child, and presented their precious gifts from the East.
These wise pilgrims, who came so far and who saw salvation in the infant Jesus, represent the revelation of God’s light, God’s truth, God’s salvation, to all nations and to all peoples – far beyond Israel and the descendants of Abraham. Having found what they were seeking, and having discerned the true intentions of Herod, they made the long-journey back to their homeland knowing that their lives would never be the same, even if they never saw the child Jesus and the land of Judah again.
What does this great solemnity of the Epiphany mean for us? Certainly this is the day when we celebrate that God has revealed his salvation to all the nations in the light of his son, Jesus Christ. This is the day when we celebrate that, by God’s generous mercy, we have received the light of faith to guide us to Jesus so that we like the magi might pay him homage and be changed by his grace. And this is the day when we humbly recognize that no gift we might present to God can outshine the gifts that God already has bestowed upon us through Jesus.
But this is also a day when we can ask ourselves how eager we are to follow the heavenly light of Jesus Christ no matter where it might lead us. Do we look to the light of Jesus to guide us through the darkness and difficulties of “fields and fountains, moors and mountains” that we must cross? Do we let the light of Jesus teach us so that we are wise enough to recognize the deceitful words and promises of the King Herods whom we encounter in our own day along the way? Are we “followers” of the truth of Jesus Christ, or are we “followers” of the empty “tweets” of a culture that would trap us in the darkness of fear, anxiety, false security and empty power that murders rather than gives life?
Herod the Great was but a short distance from the source of salvation, but he did not have the faith, humility or vision to see the heavenly signs that would have guided him to Jesus as surely as it guided the wise persons from far-off foreign lands. Each of us also is but a short distance from the source of salvation. In fact, the Holy Spirit of God abides within us to lead us to the Son of God, the Great King, the Messiah who is born to us. Let us not blind ourselves to that light as did Herod, but rather let us be like the magi, wise and courageous enough to set forth each day on the road that leads to life, even it is narrow at the outset. As St. Benedict writes: “As we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.”