The Epiphany Lesson - Who Didn't Show Up To Adore Him?

Today we celebrate the arrival of wisemen bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The gold for the King of Kings, Frankincense symbolic of the divinity of Christ, and myrrh, a perfume used in burial. For Jesus Christ came for one thing - to die for us.

But, who didn't show up in Bethlehem? That's the question we should ask ourselves. For a star even appeared in the sky. And, what is a star? It's a symbol, a symbol not owned by any one nation but set above the world. It symbols Jesus Christ "The Light of the Whole World".

1) While thinking about the star we realize the first people to have Christ's Incarnation pass them by were the astrologers. These people use horoscopes and the stars to judge who they are and their "destiny". They claim to "master" the skies, but when the sign of the whole world appeared they did not know Him. They were oblivious to Christ; let us not be so involved with false gods of money or fame that we forget the only Truth. Remember, it was those astrologers, believers in the occult, that fell for the devil's temptations. They did not know Christ. Let us not be as they were.

2) King Herod. We read in scripture that he called the Magi to him so they could find Christ, so that he too might adore Christ. But, behold, we have a liar! King Herod did nothing of the such. He felt competition from Christ; He was scared of the Child. For Christ Our Lord was competition to His sinfulness and His kingdom.

But don't think King Herod's likeness is dead! Remember, that after the Wisemen left Bethlehem they didn't return to Herod. King Herod knew he was betrayed so he sent out an order - all male children under 2 were to be murdered. And, what did the people do? They followed his order. He claimed to be in charge, doing the right thing and he murdered the children. But, did most of the people stand against him and his sinfulness? No, just as today few stand up against Planned Parenthood and abortion industry. For those that practice, support, or advise abortions are not with Christ. Those people are as King Herod who refuse to humble themselves; they are lost sheep. They are not next to the crib in Bethlehem for they do not know Him. Let us remember that our mission is to convert them so that they might see the Glory of Christ.

3) And, finally, it was the people of Judea who didn't come to adore Our Lord. Why? O, they could always be with Him spiritually in their homes, right? They don't have to go anywhere, God is with them.

But, while God is certainly with us everywhere, He was truly present in Bethlehem. He was truly there (Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity). That is a far different presence than He would have had in their homes. But, they didn't come. And today we see so many people that believe they can stay at home and believe. They can just pray at home; they don't have to actually go and worship His true presence. But, what a deception. In our world today, Jesus Christ is truly present in the Holy Eucharist. He is really there like He was in Bethlehem. In this world there is no closer moment to Christ than adoring the Holy Eucharist. For the Eucharist is our joy and hope. Let us not be as the people of Judea and keep going on with our lives. For He is Risen! We know that He is truly there! Let us follow in praise and adoration and thanksgiving.