January 8, 2023 The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (Year A)
As has so often happened during this Christmas season, we find a prophecy in the First Reading from Isaiah (Isa. 60:16) which is then fulfilled in the Gospel (Mt. 2:1-12). This is a common pattern in Year A where we hear from Matthew for the most part. He used a lot of fulfillment passages for the benefit of his community so that they would see that everything that Jesus said and did was to fulfill the events of the Old Testament and ensure his identity as the long-awaited Messiah.
In these last readings of the Christmas season before the beginning of Ordinary Time, the passage we read from Isaiah occurs during the last days of the Babylonian exile where the Israelites have been held in captivity for two generations. Isaiah writes this prophecy of joy to celebrate the occasion of their release from bondage. He calls it, “The Dawning of Divine Glory for Zion.”
Isaiah grabs the people’s attention with a rousing “Arise!” It is a time of celebration. Even though dark clouds cover the earth, he proclaims that it is a time of light, not darkness for the people of Israel,. He announces that a new day is dawning when the nations will flock to Zion (Jerusalem), all sons and daughters from afar will gather. They shall be radiant with joy and their hearts will throb for the wealth of all the nations will come to God’s chosen people. Caravans of camels will come from Midian, Ephah, and Sheba bearing riches such as gold and frankincense and all shall proclaim the praises of the LORD.
In the Gospel centuries later, we find this joyful caravan proceeding to Bethlehem to honor the newborn king of the Jews. Three magi, kings actually thought to be Persian astrologers, discover a new star which they believe indicates the birth of a newborn king. This is a direct fulfillment of the prophecy from Isaiah, “Nations shall walk by your light, kings by the radiance of your dawning.” (Isa. 60:3).
And so, the radiance of the star leads the magi to Bethlehem where they stop to ask King Herod about the location of the birth of the newborn king. Herod calls the chief priests and the scribes to question them about the location and they confirm that it is Bethlehem. Of course, the religious leaders know the location of the birth because they are aware of the promise to King David, made years earlier by the prophet Nathan, who confirmed that the messiah would come from the lineage of David. In fact, the prophet Micah predicted the location for the event, “But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathaha least among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel.” (Mic. 5:1).
King Herod is understandingly worried about a new king thinking he will lose the throne. He sends the magi to find the baby and report back to him feigning that he would like to go and worship as well. Shortly after he orders the massacre all baby boys under the age of two in order to eliminate the possible competition.
In the meantime, the magi continue their journey to Bethlehem following the star that precedes them. A star they trusted because of the prediction from the book of Numbers: “A star shall advance from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Israel” (Num. 24:7). Once they discover Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, they enter the house and pay homage to Jesus. They also offer him gifts fit for a king as foreseen by the Old Testament, “All from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense and heralding the praises of the LORD” (Isa. 60:6). Myrrh is also offered as the holy oil used to anoint kings.
After their visit, the magi return home but bypass Herod having been warned in a dream to avoid him due to his threat to the children. Joseph, too, has a dream which warns him to take the baby Jesus and his mother to Egypt to escape the massacre. Once Herod is deceased Joseph safely returns to Nazareth. This is to fulfill the prophecy, “Out of Egypt I have called my son” (Hos. 11:1).
Seeing how these few prophecies have been fulfilled, and there are many others found in Matthew, it should be apparent that Jesus is exactly what we believe as we have excitedly awaited and celebrated the Christmas season – the son of God and the King of the Jews. Some Christians may not realize that there are so many passages in the Old Testament that foresee Jesus as the Messiah. As a result of the realization of how the Old Testament prepares for the New Testament and the life of Christ, this may prompt more interest in the ancient writings. For some it may be an illuminating discovery, an Epiphany.
