The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
Readings: Isaiah 60:1–6; Psalm 71(72):1–2, 7–8, 10–13; Ephesians 3:2–3, 5–6; Matthew 2:1–12
5 January 2025
The sight of the star filled them with delight. MT 2:10
The great symbol of Epiphany is the Star of Bethlehem: the light which showed the way to Jesus. It is mentioned in all three of today’s readings.
“Arise, shine out, Jerusalem,” Isaiah prophesies, “For your light has come; the glory of the Lord is rising on you” (Is 60:1).
St Paul is more esoteric: “I have been entrusted by God with the grace he meant for you” (Ep 3:2). He means the light of Christ, which is entrusted to us, too. At Baptism, we were told, “You have been enlightened by Christ. Walk always as a child of the light and keep the flame of faith alive in your heart.” This same light led the Magi to Bethlehem, “[To] the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight” (Mt 2:9–10).
Two thousand years later, we are called to reenact today’s Gospel—not by playing the role of the Magi, but by playing the role of the star. To do that, we must each exercise a personal and creative apostolate which leads family, friends and colleagues to Jesus. Perhaps we recommend a good book or online resource; or we are generous with our encouragement; or we boldly extend an invitation to join us on some spiritual activity.
Lord Jesus, brighten the Light you shine within us. Saints Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar: obtain for us the courage and daring that led you to Christ. Amen.
Fr John Corrigan
Artist Spotlight
The Adoration of the Magi by Matthias Stom (1615–1649)
The Adoration of the Magi (c. 1630s). Oil on canvas, 175cm x 172cm. National Museum, Stockholm, Sweden. Public Domain.
The Jewish exiles returning from captivity in Babylon viewed with dismay the devastated city of Jerusalem. But the prophet Isaiah summonses them to “rise and shine”. God would make the Holy City a light to the nations of the world. The prophet announces a universal salvation, a message that would soon be forgotten. The Jews would again fall into the trap of thinking salvation belonged only to them.
It is against this background that St Matthew relates the visit from the East of pagan Wise Men to the infant Christ. The significance of today’s feast has never been lost on the Orthodox—the churches of the East. For them, this is the main celebration of Christmas and the occasion of giving gifts. Theologically, today’s feast is more significant than that of 25 December. Christ is Saviour of all peoples.
The mysterious Magi have much to teach us. They were obviously awed by the mystery of life, anxious to understand their surroundings. They were the scientists of their day, examining the stars and heavenly bodies, but humble enough to abandon the familiarity of their homeland to set out on an uncertain quest (a reminder of Abraham!). While themselves pagans, they accepted with respect the opinions of the Jewish scribes, eventually finding a child in the arms of his mother.
We may fail to appreciate the wonder of this— pagans worshipping a little baby with all his potential yet to unfold. They found what they had been seeking all those years through philosophy and astronomy—the source of life itself. They have remained figures of mystery ever since.
In contrast, we have the figure of Herod. We know his family tree. But Herod is static. He doesn’t move, or follow any star, or search the Scriptures. Thinking only of his position of authority, he fails to see the drama playing itself out under his very nose, stooping to murder to preserve his honour. Of all the facts we know about him, the most famous is that he failed to recognise Christ.
The Magi sought to pierce the mysteries of the natural phenomena they observed—but they needed the Scriptures to complete the jigsaw. Simplistic fundamentalists see science and religion in opposition, but they are merely complementary ways of searching for the same truth.
The point of all this is that God is to be found in the unexpected. He does not limit himself or his presence to our preconceived notions. Too many are content with a “religious” God safely veiled in sacraments and living within the boundaries of the Church. Keep religion private! The Church is the dwelling place of God, but like the Jerusalem Temple of old, the Church must become a light, shining on the societies in which it dwells. God is bigger than the Church. Searching for God does not always yield ready-made answers. St Luke makes this clear when he tells us, “All wondered at what the shepherds told them,” (Lk 2:18) and twice he tells us that, “Mary pondered these things in her heart” (Lk 2:19).
God is to be found in the familiar and the unfamiliar: in the Scriptures, hence our need of prayer and study; in the mysteries of the universe and in life itself, hence our need to keep our eyes and heart open; in the arms of Mary, his Mother, hence our need of devotion to Our Lady—all the time remembering the value of the journey itself. Christ is to be found not only at the end. He is walking the path with us.
Mattias Stom (1615–1649) was a Dutch (or possibly Flemish) painter known only for the works he produced during his residence in Italy. He worked there in various locations, enjoying the patronage of religious institutions and members of the nobility.
The influence of Caravaggio is evident in his treatment of light and shade in his Adoration of the Magi (c.1630s). One of the most remarkable aspects is his portrayal of the Three Kings, each displaying a distinct personality highlighted by the intricate details of their attire. They symbolise varying ages, races, and continents, as the world converges to honour the new King. Their offerings of gold, frankincense, and myrrh have traditionally been seen as representations of Christ’s sovereignty, priestly role, and humanity. Stom visually conveys the concept that the New Law emerged from the remnants of the Old, as evidenced by the broken column from an ancient Temple.
On the right, a young page boy looks at the viewer (wondering what this is all about). He holds the crown which the kneeling king has removed in homage.
Monsignor Graham Schmitzer
Fr John Corrigan is an assistant priest in the Diocese of Ballarat, ministering in the parish of Sunraysia, centred on Mildura, Victoria. He is known for his Blog of a Country Priest and regular appearances on Network Ten and Foxtel’s Mass For You At Home.
Monsignor Graham Schmitzer, retired parish priest of Immaculate Conception Parish in Unanderra, NSW, was ordained in 1969 and served in many parishes in the Diocese of Wollongong. He was chancellor and secretary to Bishop William Murray for 13 years. Raised in Port Macquarie and educated by the Sisters of St Joseph of Lochinvar, he worked for the Department of Attorney General and Justice before entering St Columba’s College in 1962. He enjoys travelling and visiting major European art galleries.
With thanks to the Diocese of Wollongong, who have supplied this reflection from their publication, The Sign: Advent and Christmas Reflections 2024. Reproduced with permission.
