Dear Parishioners:
Adoration of the Magi by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (17th century).
Today, we sing the verse: "We three kings of the Orient are…" Who are these Mystic visitors from the East? Kings? Wise Men? Are they men of science, astronomers who follow stars, astrologers who look for messages in the heavens, holy men, or all of the above? The feast of the Epiphany has a very important history in our faith and universal culture. The Solemnity of the Epiphany which we celebrate this weekend. commemorates the mysterious visit of the Magi to the Baby Jesus. These Wisemen, pagans from neighboring countries, came bearing gifts to adore the Baby Jesus, the newborn King.
The gifts given to Jesus by the Magi are gold, frankincense, and Myrrh. They have a special spiritual meaning that represents the mystery of the Incarnation, or the union of God and humanity. Gold represents Jesus as Christ the King and his kingship on earth. Frankincense represents Jesus as Christ the High Priest and his divinity, as it was used in worship in the Temple. And Myrrh represents Jesus as Christ the Prophet and his death for the sake of truth, as it was used to anoint dead bodies.
Christmas gifts are given on the Feast of the Epiphany in Spain and many Latin American countries. Children write letters to the Magi on the feast's eve, requesting presents. Children leave their shoes out overnight to find presents in them the next morning when they awake. While we don't traditionally exchange gifts on the Epiphany, we should be mindful of the gifts we must offer the Lord. The gifts of our time, talent, and treasure. These gifts are given to the Lord all year and, in fact, all life long as an offering ourselves to Christ.
The Adoration of the Magi by Edward Burne-Jones (1894)
So, as we come before the newborn King truly present in the Eucharist today, we imitate the Wisemen in adoration of the Lord and offer the gift of our life to Jesus. St John Chrysostom said: "If we approach with faith, we too will see Jesus, for the Eucharistic table takes the place of the crib. Here the Body of the Lord is present, wrapped not in swaddling clothes but in the rays of the Holy Spirit." Many in Europe celebrate "Three Kings Day," where the priest blesses chalk, which the faithful bring home and use to write on their homes: "C-M-B" and the year. C-M-B refers to the names of the Magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. The initials also abbreviate the Latin phrase, Christus mansionem benedicat, which means "May Christ bless the house."
This parallels the Jewish feast of Passover, where marking the door prevents evil and death from entering the home of the faithful who live there. Instead, the Epiphany blessing is more proactive as it brings life as opposed to preventing death. The Epiphany is not the end of the Christmas Season, as the season continues until next Sunday's Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
While many people have taken down the Christmas lights and trees, put away the creche, and returned some gifts, the Church continues to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord. Also, on Epiphany, the Church has the tradition of announcing the important dates of the Church Year. It is an ancient practice of Mother Church to announce the moveable feasts of the current Church Year. The text reads:
"Know, dear brethren, that, as we have rejoiced at the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, so by leave of God's mercy we announce to you also the joy of his Resurrection, who is our Savior. On the fifth day of March will fall Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten season. On the twentieth day of April you will celebrate with joy Easter Day, the Paschal feast of our Lord Jesus Christ. On the twenty-ninth day of May will be the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. On the eighth day of June, the feast of Pentecost. On the twenty-second day of June, the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. On the thirtieth day of November, the First Sunday of the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."
We thank Mr. John Skeffington, the new owner of the Hill-Skeffington Funeral Home, for continuing to sponsor our parish calendar. They are beautiful and highlight all the important dates of the Church Year in 2025. Happy Feast of the Epiphany! Remember, Wisemen still seek Him!! Be well. Do good. God Bless.