Offer your gold, frankincense and myrrh: Epiphany Sunday

Note--I gave this homily in two different churches.  The first was at Holy Angels parish in Garu.  I had the honor of celebrating Mass here at the request of Fr. Desmond (pastor) and my friend Fr. Kevin (assistant priest).  The second was in one of the outstations of Holy Angels.  Our whole group attended both as we wanted to experience both their parish Mass and a Mass in one of the smaller communities.  During the second Mass Fr. Kevin translated my homily into the native tongue.  I did not know what he said, but it was curious that he talked a lot more when translating than I did preaching!            

            We celebrate a great feast in our lives today—the Feast of Epiphany.  This is the feast in which we remember the three magi—wise men from the East—who traveled a long ways to see the baby Jesus.

            This visit is crucial in salvation history because these men were Gentiles—non-Jews.  For centuries, the Jewish people were God’s chosen people and they lived apart from non-Jews.  Now we see the doors to God’s family opened up to others.

            The Magi, in coming to visit Christ, did not come alone.  They came with the best of gifts—gold, frankincense and myrrh.  They brought gold to a king.  They brought frankincense to honor this king and to show that just as Christ came down from heaven, so too would he rise like incense back to heaven.  They brought myrrh, an ointment used to prepare a body for burial, to symbolize Jesus’ death for our sins.

            We, too, are called to visit Jesus with the best of our time, talents and treasures.  We might not have gold to offer, but we can contribute something of our monies, generosity and hospitality.  Our group has been impressed by such generosity you have shown to us during our time in your parish and with your families.  We might not have frankincense, but we can send the sweet smell of our prayers up to heaven.  Such prayers are necessary to purify a world that often smells bad.  We rejoice to pray with you, especially at Mass and as we seek our Lady’s intercession for our work.  And we may not have myrrh, but we can give the ointment of our service to God and neighbor.  Again, we are so inspired by the way you have served us, your families and neighbors.

            On this great day in the Church we, too, come to visit the baby Jesus.  Like the Magi, we do not come empty handed but bring the best of our time, talents and treasures to lay before the manger.