This first Sunday of the New Year commemorates the visit of the three Magi to the infant Jesus. They were Gentiles, that is not Jews, and as such represented all peoples of every nation and language. The very neighbors of the Holy Family did not recognize the King in their town. The shepherds did see Jesus as the Savior and the Christ, but only after being told so by an angel of the Lord. The Magi by reason of their good hearts and openness to the truth had to have received inspiration from God to know that a star would lead them to a new King. They trusted that they would find Him and were not deterred by a long arduous journey. Nor were they dismayed at finding the King in a humble abode. They simply were filled with joy because their perseverance brought them to the greatest King of all. They were the first of the gentiles to adore our Lord and to give Him gifts. The gift of gold represented his Kingship; frankincense represented his holiness, that He was of God; myrrh indicated his death.
They did not have the privilege of knowing that all things, including themselves, were created by Him. He is Lord of all things in Heaven and earth. They were as yet unaware that his passion and death would be their Redemption and the Redemption of all mankind. But these wise men came from Persia which is modern day Iran and Iraq
These wise men probably did not know the mystery of the Blessed Trinity and that this was the Son of God, the second Person. He is Holiness itself. These three men from the East knew that there was something unique and very special about this Child. He was revealed to them as the Messiah, God made man. They responded accordingly by kneeling in adoration.
What a great example the Magi are for us. His Godhead lies hidden in the Blessed Sacrament. We were given the gift of faith to see what we fail to see with our eyes. The Magi teach us the joy that we should have before Our Lord in the Tabernacle. They teach us to give to Jesus the best gifts that we have which is the gift of ourselves. What a truly tremendous Gift we have in every tabernacle of every Catholic Church throughout the world. What a privilege it is to be able to come before Him often.
We are privileged in our parish to have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament each Thursday. We are grateful to those parishioners who are there each hour so that the church can remain open for all to come and adore just as the Magi did. May we take advantage of this opportunity.
Fr. Stanley
