The series is coming to an end. Sadly. The season changes. Yet the Christmas story as we have seen other series we have done and studied estimates the duration of events around Jesus’ birth to round up to about 90 years.
Here Matthew cites an event which Luke has not recorded due to the sources involved. The Magi seek out Jesus, not because the initiative was theirs. No God spoke to them and set them on a journey.
Did you seek out your vocation? Did you set out to find Jesus. No. He sent signs and guided you all the way. Today we celebrate the arrival of the Magi, some 2 years after His birth. The timing is not crucial, only that it contrasts with the erroneous story we traditionally believe. It all happened on Christmas Day. So they would like to believe. Yet the divine calendar contrasts with our human perspective.
As there are journeys to make, both physically and spiritually, so also there are arrivals that we must experience. Our arrival is not the end objective as Jesus is ever being discovered and new insights given to those who follow this journey to eternity.
Our gifts reflect not our richness in acquisition nor the sense of niceness. It has deep significance. The focus is not themselves but He who is the King.
In this way our origins in the ministry to our Lord is birthed our ministry to the world. Any other way would be an illegitimate origin. He is the Alpha and Omega, the All in all. Therefore, Epiphany is about what is our focus? What is our motivation? It is to be questioned with Matthew 2 in mind.
There is something greater and beyond to pursue, and nature itself leads us to Him. The Magi were not content with their intellect, they saw that what will fill and fulfil their heart. It was not enough to know about the Star, rather who the Star shines to.
Epiphany is about the origin and focus of the journey.
Maranatha!!!
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