First reading: Is. 30:1–6
Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.
Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.
Second reading: Eph. 3:2–3a,5–6
Brothers and sisters: You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Gospel: Mt. 2:1–12
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”
When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.”
Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.”
After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.
In other words
Fr. Abs Borja, SVD (Belgium)
Today, we celebrate the Lord’s manifestation to the Magi—the Gentiles from the East. Their meaningful words offer points for reflection.
“Where is the newborn King of the Jews?” The Magi know with certainty who they seek and are passionate about finding Him. While the chief priests and the scribes seem indifferent to the newborn child, the Magi, who might have only heard some news about Him, took the matter seriously. Even before King Herod commands them to search, they diligently seek the newborn King. Their long journey from the East (possibly Babylon?) attests to their deep conviction about this child.
Do you put in the effort to seek Jesus, the King of the Jews?
“We saw his star at its rising..” The Magi’s use of the word “we” in “we saw” emphasizes their awareness and recognition of each other’s presence when they notice the star. In this small community of “we,” God chose to reveal Himself. Together, they connected the star to the newborn child, whom they recognized as the King of the Jews. Do you seek Jesus alongside others? Do you join or invite others to join you to discern the signs that point to Him?
“…and have come to do him homage.” The Magi’s ultimate goal was to worship the newborn King. In the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible), the magi in Daniel 2 serve King Nebuchadnezzar. In the Greek New Testament, the magos Elymas serve the enemy of the Lord (cf. Acts 13). These magi served earthly rulers, but the Magi in Matthew’s gospel are different. Though they have an audience with King Herod, they never show him any gesture of service. When they find the baby Jesus in a modest house, “they prostrated themselves,” “did him homage,” “opened their treasures,” and “offered him gifts.” They worship and demonstrate their service to the heavenly King. Do you serve and worship earthly kings or the heavenly King alone?
The star’s light in the skies of Israel led the Magi to the tiny Jesus, the humble Son of God born in Bethlehem. But in 2024, the skies over Israel shine not with the light of the newborn King but with the glow of rockets and the explosions of intercepted missiles—symbols of those striving to assert worldly power. When arrogant earthly leaders rule, the fire of destruction spreads, but when Jesus reigns, the light of serenity and peace prevails.