"AND BEHOLD, THE STAR STOPPED OVER THE PLACE WHERE THE CHILD WAS".

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD. YEAR B.
January 8, 2006.
(First reading: Isaiah 60:1-6) (Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-14)
(Second reading: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6) (Gospel reading: Matthew 2:1-12)

"AND BEHOLD, THE STAR STOPPED OVER
THE PLACE WHERE THE CHILD WAS".

As the star stopped over the place where the child was, it made visible for humankind two realities: The goodness of Jesus and the evil in Herod. Let us take a look at them.

1. The star makes visible the goodness of Jesus .
A. The gospel tells us that the Lord Jesus comes as "a ruler, who is to shepherd [his] people", a ruler who does not rule by oppressing human beings. The expression "to shepherd" emphasizes the care and devotion with which Jesus guides his people, just like the shepherd wants only the best for his sheep; it emphasizes total respect for humankind, just like a shepherd gives his life for his sheep.

B. Psalm 72 describes how Jesus exercises his "rule", a rule that saves and liberates the human race: "For he rescues the poor when they cry out, the oppressed who have no one to help. He shows pity to the needy and the poor and saves the lives of the poor. From extortion and violence he frees them, for precious is their blood in his sight".

C. The gospel tells us that all the power of God is made flesh in the person of a child, the child Jesus, in order to reveal that the power of God resides in the innocence, sincerity, vulnerability of a child. "On entering the house [the magi] saw the child with Mary his mother".

2. The star makes visible the evil in Herod.
The gospel discloses the reaction from Herod and his court (The ruling powers at that time) upon learning of the presence of a new King. The gospel says that when Herod heard this, "he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him", and addressing the magi, he 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".

Herod pretends to be willing to accept the new order when, in fact, he wants to destroy it; Herod pretends to welcome Jesus when, in fact, he wants to kill him.

Throughout history, humanity has witnessed the presence of individuals who have followed the model of Jesus, while others have followed the model of Herod.

Jesus continues to manifest himself through his followers today.
The epiphany or manifestation of the Lord Jesus continues to be visible to the world today through those who embody in themselves the life of Jesus, through those who by giving witness to Jesus give the world the opportunity to see Jesus.

The epiphany or manifestation of Jesus' followers becomes all the more important since the model of "king Herod" is still very much alive, since "darkness [still] covers the earth and stick clouds cover the peoples" (Isaiah 60:2).

We will be able to continue Jesus' manifestation whenever we "govern [the] people with justice, [the] oppressed with right judgment", whenever we "rescue the poor when they cry out, the oppressed who has no one to help", whenever we show "pity to the needy and the poor", whenever we "save the life of the poor", whenever we liberate those who suffer "from extortion and violence" (Psalm 72).

As the star comes to a stop "over the place where the child was", may all of us be able to see the manifestation of the Lord Jesus, just like the magi did.