Today’s Feast and readings speak to us of reading the signs and understanding what to do. The signs are related to change. The Magi were not astrologers as we understand them today, they were Zoastrians which is astrologically based but much deeper than a belief in astrology. Using their study of the stars and then reading through significant texts and even maybe studying the economic and political realities of the time, they understood the signs were significant and they chose to act by simply going to greet the New King of the Jews.
The reality that was beyond them was that change was coming. Within 35 years, the Jewish world was going to change radically and would never be the same. Within twice that time, the nation would cease to exist as a political entity until 1948, the temple would be destroyed by the Romans and the world would begin a radical upheaval the ripples from which still exist today regardless of what others may say.
The question is not what do the signs say, as much as what do we do in light of the signs.
What are the signs that we see today, and what do they tell us?
We have a clue in the second reading. Paul is talking about the significance of God’s plan that His salvation was being offered to all the world, the Jews and the Gentiles. However, he also adds that he, through divine revelation, understands truths that others do not comprehend.
The greatest significance we can understand in our enterprise as Christians is to be open to what Paul writes about, the powerful wisdom of God. If we look back to the upheaval that begins after the Birth of Christ and more so after His death and resurrection, we can see that the stabilizing fact is the wisdom of God. Indeed, Pope Francis, two thousand years later is doing nothing more that calling us to be open to that wisdom. The more who seek this wisdom, the greater the world will find peace, because the wisdom is rooted in two things: Love God and love neighbor and it is profound. What is the root of this wisdom? Truth, the Truth that is God.
Are you seeking this wisdom, or are you seeking the wisdom of the world? It is the wisdom of the world that spawns the realities that lead to wars and terrorism and hatred and evil.
Ronald Rubin, a former government prosecutor who helped prosecute the case dramatized in the movie _The Wolf of Wall __Street_ explains in a column in the Wall Street Journal Saturday, that he asked one of these crooked stockbrokers if it bothered him that he was taking little old ladies’ life savings. He writes: “without missing a beat, he replied: ‘Of course, why do you think we took all of those drugs.’ ” (How The ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ Really Did It.)
It is the wisdom of God that seeks a self giving in charity, in love. It is the self-sacrifice that seeks to love the other and seeks what is best for the other in love and never in violence. However it is a wisdom that cannot be learned, but must be found in prayer, and being open to Christ. Indeed, Pope Francis still seeks that wisdom and makes it clear that it is found in extended times of prayer without which our work loses its meaning. (cf Evangelii Gaudium #262)
The Wise men sought that wisdom before they understood what it was. Paul received that wisdom and taught it as the greatest treasure one could receive, it was in the name of that wisdom that he gave his life. Jesus said to sell all you have in order to have that wisdom if necessary. (cf MT 13:45-46)
Epiphany is not only the day we recognize the Magi but the day we recognize the birth of true wisdom among us, a wisdom that no worldly person can give us, a wisdom we can only find in Christ and one that is infinitely worth more than all the gold, frankincense and myrrh in the universe.
Do all you can to seek that wisdom. The way you seek that wisdom is to pray for it. St James in his letter tells us that if you pray for it you will receive it. (James 1:5) Do all you can to seek it for it is the truth that will set you free. Whether or not you can read the signs of the times.
(Hat tip to awestruck.tv user Gerald Plubeard for his input in this homily, )
God Bless You,
Fr. Robert J Carr
Fr. Carr is an alliance member of the New Song Community (Canção Nova). He is the pastor ofHoly Trinity Parish, Quincy, MA and is the editor of this blog. He also has a regular radio program on for Canção Nova CNUSA.Which he podcasts for Canção Nova available at Mixcloud and here on Catholicismanew.
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