DAILY HOMILIES #wise men

The wise men brought Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This is Epiphany, a revelation of Jesus’ identity as KING, PRIEST, AND SAVIOUR of the world. Jesus had not yet begun to talk or walk when this occurred, yet it is clear to the world that He is God in human flesh. He rules as King with gold, sanctifies as a Priest with incense (which we still use today at Mass), and as Saviour of mankind. Jesus’ body was preserved with myrrh when he offered his life for our salvation.

While we celebrated the birth of the baby Jesus on 25 December, we are celebrating today the realisation that God was born in human flesh. Today, we celebrate the realisation of the prophecy of Isaiah as contained in our first reading: “Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” (Isaiah 60:3).

The wise men gave gifts to Jesus because they recognized His Divinity, His Kingship and His Sacrificial role for mankind. The question is: “what kind of gifts do I render to Jesus?

The wise men gave gifts to Jesus because they recognized His Divinity, His Kingship and His Sacrificial role for mankind. The question is: “what kind of gifts do I render to Jesus? And what do my gifts say about Jesus?” Indeed, the best gift we can offer to Jesus today is the gift of a righteous life, a pure heart and hands willing to do God’s commands.