January 5, 2014
The Epiphany of the Lord
Matthew 2:1-12
Gospel Summary
The arrival of wise men from the East at Herod's court with questions about the
reported birth of a royal pretender could very easily have caused some
consternation. Herod was very well aware of messianic pretenders and may have
considered them a real threat to his power. However, in this gospel story, the
symbolic message has completely eclipsed whatever historical kernel may have
existed.
We know that Matthew, more than any other evangelist, is aware of the hopes of
ancient Israel and he is, therefore, constantly alert to any opportunity to show
that Jesus has fulfilled those expectations. Thus, for example, Jesus' lengthy
Sermon on the Mount is said to have taken place on a mountain, simply because
Matthew wants us to recognize Jesus as a successor to Moses, who also proclaimed
divine revelation from a mountain top.
In the story of the Magi, Matthew wants us to recognize in Jesus the new
Solomon, whose reputation for wisdom was legendary. He too received a visitor
from the East, the Queen of Sheba, who was said to have been "breathless" as she
marveled at his wisdom and wealth (1 Kings 10:1-13).
This Epiphany story is, therefore, a celebration of the wisdom represented by
Jesus--in his person and in his message. It is an unpretentious wisdom, because
it is embodied in a tiny child, but it is in fact the only wisdom that will
ultimately survive.
Life implications
The Magi represent secular wisdom, which is validated by success through a
clever use of power. In this case, physical power is for controlling others,
intelligence is for out-witting them, and wealth or political power is for
amassing ever more wealth and influence. This wisdom is the centerpiece of
today's dominant secular culture. It is not always a bad thing, but neither
should it be dominant.
Jesus offers a radically different kind of wisdom, which declares that all
forms of power must be in the service of love and that true success should be
measured in terms of who has been liberated by unselfish love from the bondage
of fear, guilt, low self-esteem and the like. Our real power is our freedom, and
it is very tempting to use that freedom to dominate and control others. Jesus
tells us that we should risk using freedom as he did--for loving and liberating
and trusting and forgiving.
In fact, I have often wondered whether the first, and perhaps the only, question
asked of us at the final judgment will simply be, "Did you let my people go?"
The powerful and oppressive Pharaoh was an exemplar of secular wisdom, while the
God of Exodus and Jesus represent the far superior and enduring wisdom of love
and liberation. We need to ask ourselves whether the net result of our actions
and attitudes is to make others stronger and happier and more confident. The
Wise Men offer gifts to Jesus because they recognize that the humble wisdom of
Jesus eclipses all forms of merely human wisdom.
Demetrius R. Dumm, OSB.
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