Daily Catholic Lectio
Sun, 7 January 2024
The Epiphany of the Lord
Isaiah 60:1-6. Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6. Matthew 2:1-12
His star!
His star rose that day. Herod could not see the star because the walls of the palace were too high and the roof was too thick. The high priests could not see it because they were concentrated on temple worship, sacrifices, and offerings. The scribes and the teachers of the law, who were engrossed in the reading of the Scriptures, thought stargazing to be a distraction. The people of Jerusalem were either preoccupied with their daily chores or were overburdened because of the socio-political-religious structures of the time, so they had no time to look at the star. But the wise men from the east saw the star; they followed it; they worshipped the child, whom the star indicated. The star disappeared without being noticed by others.
Careful attention, prioritising, self-motivation, readiness to travel, co-responsibility, resilience, and relentless search – these are the prerequisites to see and follow the star.
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Today we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord, the so-called Christmas of the Eastern Churches. The wise men from the east (Persia and its east) come in search of the King of the Jews – this is the story in one line. The Jews could identify their king, while the Gentiles identified their God and worshipped him – this is the irony of the story.
The journey of the Magi is intriguing to us. They were able to overcome obstacles such as distance, robbery, ill health, rain, heat, and winds. They were persistent and unyielding. Mostly, they might have travelled at night since they had to follow the star.
Their journey was public. As they entered Jerusalem, they asked, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?’ Matthew records the response of the people as follows: ‘When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.’ Herod was troubled because he now has another opponent to do away with. The people were troubled because Herod had recently caused great bloodshed by killing his own sons and wife in order to safeguard his power. The birth of the king-baby evoked in them shock and jitters.
‘We saw his star,’ thus say the wise men. Instead of looking at the sky to look for the star, Herod bids his high priests and scribes to look into the Scriptures. He knew where to find the answer. And he found it. The answer was in the prophecy of Micah (5:2) and Samuel (cf. 2 Sam 5:2). Everyone knew the answer. But no one had dared to look for the king-baby. They were like flight announcers at the airport boarding gates; they would announce the cities but would never travel themselves. At times, we too are like them.
‘Herod summoned the wise men secretly.’ So far, everything was public: the appearance of the star, the journey of the Magi, their question, the reaction of the city, and the study of the Scriptures. Now Herod does something in private, in secret, and incognito. He further lied, ‘I too may come and worship him.’
Matthew writes that the star appeared again and went before them. The Magi rejoiced exceedingly when they saw the star. The star evokes two types of reactions: it evokes terror and fear in the hearts of the Jerusalemites and raises joy and gladness in the hearts of the wise men. Now the wise men face the greatest challenge. The star stopped over a peasant house. The wise men overcome the challenge. They went into the house. They saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him.
They fell down, worshipped, and emptied their treasures (gold, frankincense, and myrrh). Their journey is complete. They came in search of a king; now they have found their God.
What are the lessons that this feast offers us?
(a) Movement and stagnation
In the gospel reading, we see the contrast between movement and stagnation. The wise men are constantly on the move in their journey, while Herod, the high priests, the scribes, and the people of Jerusalem are stagnant. The first reading tells us that stagnation is death. The prophet Isaiah, prophesying to the people of Judah in exile, announces, ‘Arise, shine, for your light has come.’ People who are in darkness, sleep, and death are called to light, awakening, and life. Isaiah further says that the people will be liberated, and the liberation nation will attract many nations, people, and cattle. The first lesson that we need to learn is that growth lies in movement or journey, not in stagnation.
(b) Understanding the signs
The revelation of God is at the core of the feast. In order to see his revelation, we must understand the signs and follow them. The star and the Scriptures were the signs. The wise men were able to decipher the signs. In the second reading, Paul tells the Galatians that, through Christ Jesus, the mystery was revealed. Jesus is the sign that reveals God to the Gentiles. Christ is the visible face of the invisible God. The wise men were able to see the face of God on the face of a child, whereas Herod saw the King of the Jews as a mere child. Only those who are able to read and understand signs will be able to follow the star.
(c) Searching and finding
God reveals Godself to those who search for him. Our search occurs at three levels: body, mind, and soul. First, the wise men searched for God with their body (their eyes), and they were able to find the star. Secondly, through their question, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?’ they searched with their mind. And they found the answer ‘Bethlehem’ in the Scriptures. Thirdly, their search continues with their soul or spirit. That is why they were able to identify a king in a peasant’s house and God in a child. When they searched with their body and mind, they had burdens. But when their search was with their soul they were ready to empty their sacks of treasures. They don’t need them anymore. And they need not go back to their mind and body. They must take ‘another way’ They no longer require scriptures or stars. They are now able to recognise God’s voice even in a dream. The fruit of discovering God is that we change our paths. The journey now takes a new direction. Often times, our search ends with our body (eyes), and mind. Searching with our soul or spirit is the highest search.
The purpose of our lives is to obtain God-experience, and to be united with him. But we search for God so that he will satisfy our bodily needs or fill our hands with gifts and good health. We need not go to God and beg him. We must go near him as kings, ready to empty our treasures before him. We, who are in God’s image and likeness, don’t lack anything. We are people of abundance. We need to just surrender ourselves and get back our way, by another way – no more with our body and mind.
His star still shines in the soul of every one of us!
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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