Epiphany celebrates those who seek God and embark on a journey guided by their inner prophet. It echoes Isaiah’s words: “Lift up your head and look.” This encourages us to open our hearts and embrace the vastness of the world.
The Gospel portrays the search for God as a communal journey. As they walk together, the members of the caravan are mindful of the stars and each other, adjusting their pace to support those who are struggling.
Little do they know that their journey is full of mistakes: The Magi lose sight of the star, they find the big city instead of the small village; they ask an infant murderer about the Child-King; they look for a palace, and finally, guided by the star, they will find the baby Messiah in a poor house.
But they had the infinite patience to start again. Our drama is not falling but giving in to our falls. And behold, they saw the Child in his mother’s arms, more majestic than any throne; they prostrated themselves and offered gifts. The most precious gift the Magi bring is not gold, but their perseverant hearts.
Herod told them to search intently. I would like to redeem these words and repeat them to my friend, to the theologian, to the artist, to the poet, to the scientist, to the person on the street, to anyone: Have you found the Child? Please search again with much care, so that I, too, may come and worship with you.