“This is the secret of life: the self
lives only by dying, finds its identity (and its happiness) only by
self-forgetfulness, self-giving, self-sacrifice, and agape love.” - Peter
Kreeft: (Philosophy Professor at Boston College and author of “Jesus-Shock”)
Gospel Text: (MT 2:1-12)
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of
Judea,
in the days of King Herod,
behold, magi from the east arrived in
Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is the newborn king of the
Jews?
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.”
When King Herod heard this,
he was greatly troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and
the scribes of the people,
He inquired of them where the Christ
was to be born.
They said to him, “In Bethlehem of
Judea,
for thus it has been written through
the prophet:
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
are by no means least among the
rulers of Judah;
since from you shall come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my people
Israel.”
Then Herod called the magi secretly
and ascertained from them the time of
the star’s appearance.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said,
“Go and search diligently for the
child.
When you have found him, bring me
word,
that I too may go and do him homage.”
After their audience with the king
they set out.
And behold, the star that they had
seen at its rising preceded them,
until it came and stopped over the
place where the child was.
They were overjoyed at seeing the
star,
and on entering the house
they saw the child with Mary his
mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him
homage.
Then they opened their treasures
and offered him gifts of gold,
frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not
to return to Herod,
they departed for their country by
another way.
I have always liked the short story by
Henry van Dyke call The Other Wise Man. It was made into a movie starring
Martin Sheen called The Fourth Wise Man. The premise of the story is that there
were not three wise men, magi, from the east but four, the fourth one's name
was Artaban. Now Artaban was late to the meeting place from which the magi were
to start their journey of following the star so he was always playing catch-up
to the other three. He never catches up to them and so he does not meet the
baby Jesus in Bethlehem. By the time he gets there the others are gone and so
is the Holy Family.
Artaban is determined to meet the
Christ so from Bethlehem he sets out on a journey to catch up, to meet the
Christ. He wants to give him some rare stones, jewels, that he has brought
along however Artaban is late for every opportunity to meet Jesus because he is
always stopping to help someone in need. He finally ends his journey after
many, many years in Jerusalem. He is old and tired and he has given all his
precious stones away to help others. He is dejected because he now has nothing
to give Jesus if he meets him.
Artaban finally does meet Jesus as
Jesus is carrying his Cross to Calvary. Jesus tells Artaban that he is thankful
for his many gifts. Artaban doesn't understand because he thinks he has no gift
to give. Jesus tells Artaban that his life has been his gift. Every time he
stopped to help someone it was a gift and Jesus is very pleased with the gift,
in fact it is the best gift!
I always think of this story on the
Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, because I think Artaban represents all of
us. At birth we all begin a journey to meet the Lord, it is called life. We
have many opportunities to encounter Jesus. Sometimes we miss him and sometimes
we don't. Our gift is our life and how we live it. Each time we help others we
add to our gift, each time we help others encounter Jesus we add to our gift,
each time we live life to the best of our ability we add to our gift!
We find ourselves in the midst of a
world that often does not recognize Christ and does not give the gifts we have
been entrusted with. We live in a world that often does not see the needs of
others around us. We live in a world that often disrespects the gift of life.
We live in a world that often fails to see people in need because we have our
backs turned and we think only of ourselves!
The Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord
reminds us that Christ's presence and message is universal, Jesus came for all.
Again let me repeat that – Jesus came for all of us! Our challenge is to bring
that message to the world for Jesus by not turning our backs, by not holding on
to our gifts but by sharing our gifts with whomever we meet. During this Holy
Year of Mercy let us continue our journey to find the Christ, let us live our
lives, let us give our gifts, let us share God with others.
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