IT is with the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, popularly known as the feast of the Three Kings, that we commemorate the visit of the Magi to the Baby Jesus as the glorious manifestation of God to all the peoples of the world (Matthew 2:1-12). This self-revelation (epiphania in Greek or pagpapakita in Pilipino) of the Savior was already a most important feast in the East, long before Christians in the West introduced the celebration of Christmas.
The face-off
Two kings are in a face-off in this story by Matthew. On the one hand is Herod, King of the Jews and called the Great, a vassal of the Roman Emperor since 40 B.C.E., a survivor-type in the intrigue-rich world of despots, a builder of grandiose constructions focused on fortification, whose hold to power was his principal concern. This explains why he was “greatly troubled and all Jerusalem with him” at the news about the newborn “King of the Jews.” Like so many earthly potentates, the elimination of a perceived rival is paramount. He employed list and deceived those looking for the baby king by feigning interest to revere the baby and so to get his hands at the “baby danger.” He consulted religious experts to plan with precision his dark design. Eventually in a panic he would resort to the mass murder of innocent children in pursuit of his futile self-preservation.
The newborn child of Mary, on the other hand, the alleged King of the Jews, is lying on a manger, born in the poverty of his plebian parents, posing no physical danger to the throne of any earthly king. Yet this child was feared precisely because his type of kingship is not based on any human patronage or machination but altogether on another plane that challenges and radicalizes the core of every human being. He does not maintain himself in power by means of a ruthless security force or a program of power-displays to cow the people into submission or to beguile them into willing surrender. He presents himself to the world lying on a manger, meaning he is the life and nourishment for God’s precious flock because he is willing to love to the extent of self-oblation. It is not the terror of death but the gospel of love and life that he offers humankind.
The wise men
There were wise men (magi in Latin) from far corners of the Earth who came looking for the infant king. Their search and hunger for the one signified by the star they observed was so overpowering, they braved the unknown and left the security of their homes. There lies their wisdom. What does anything else matter, if life is without any transcending meaning and goal? And what one is not ready to risk everything for is not really it. To have looked for it and found it was their life’s accomplishment of ultimate and eternal value. They were successful in offering their gifts, their faith, to the newborn Savior of the world.
The wise men came upon the like of Herod, but they did not give up what they believed in. They maintained their innocence, even naively asking for assistance from the very persons upset by their quest. They persevered in their intention and were not let down. The star was there still and again, because the guiding star is never actually away for those who search for the truth in the marvels of creation and in the wisdom of human cultures. They continued to be attentive and obedient, knowing they would remain in need of guidance. They did not return to foxy Herod; they had enough of him. A wise move.
Alálaong bagá, in life we are challenged to search for the life and happiness that truly last. Our Christian faith and wisdom tell us that the Son of God was born one like us to manifest and share with us the life-giving love of God. Amid our human darkness, there is now the light guiding all peoples to be wise and live in communion with God. We offer our adoration only to the Child on the manger, whose love is now the real life and power in the world.
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