Mary’s Epiphany Reflection

On that first Christmas Eve, after the shepherds were aroused by a host of singing angels, they ran to the manger to tell Mary and Joseph all about it.  Then, St. Luke tells us, “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart” (Luke 2: 19).  Mary does not speak much in the gospels.  She was a contemplative; indeed, she had much to contemplate!  As I reflect on the gospel for Epiphany Sunday (Matthew 2: 1-12), I imagine how her contemplation may have continued . . .

“How mysterious, and delightful! . . .  What wonder, and awe! . . .  They said they were from the east, and followed the star to Jesus.  They called him the newborn king of the Jews, and they came to do him homage.  But why?   They are not even Jewish.  Why did they cross so many borders to see my baby? . . .  Who am I? . . .  Who is He? . . .

“The angel said that He is the Son of the Most High, and that He will inherit the throne of David, and rule over the house of Jacob forever.  But these magi, they are not of the house of Jacob.  Why did they prostrate themselves before us?  Why did they offer these gifts to Jesus?  Gold is fit for a king.  Frankincense is offered to God . . .  

“Did not the prophet Isaiah say something about that?  ‘You shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the wealth of the nations shall be brought to you.  Caravans of camels shall fill you, all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the Lord.’ . . .

“He also said that ‘a virgin will conceive and bear a son and shall call him his name Immanuel.’   The only virgin I’ve ever heard of who conceived and bore a son . . . is me . . .  But the angel told me to name him Jesus, which means ‘Yahweh saves.’   Should I also call him Immanuel?   That name means ‘God with us.’   But Joseph said that the angel also told him to name the boy Jesus, ‘for he will save his people from their sins.’   So maybe we should stick with the name, Jesus, and keep Immanuel a secret for now.  After all, it is hard enough to believe that my baby is a king, whose kingdom will have no end.  But to believe that he is ‘God with us,’ who would ever believe that?  

“The magi . . .   They seemed to believe it.  They offered him gold, fit for a king, and frankincense which is burned in the temple to worship God.  Did they realize what they were doing?  Surely, they would not have travelled so far just to bring these gifts to the King of the Jews.  They prostrated themselves before him and offered him homage, as fitting for God! . . ​.
“The angel called him the Son of God . . .  Oi vee, he has so many names!  What can it all mean?  God with us . . .  Yahweh saves . . .  How will he save his people from their sins? . . .
“What is this third gift offered to him by these men from the east?  Why, it looks . . . and smells like . . . myrrh.  Myrrh is used as an anointing oil to consecrate priests from the tribe of Levi . . .  It is also used as an ointment to rub on a body before it is buried . . .  Why would these magi give my little baby myrrh?  There must be a meaning for each of these gifts.   Gold for a king, who is worshiped with frankincense as God with us.  Jesus will somehow save us from our sins.  But how? . . .  One day he may be anointed with myrrh . . .  Maybe he’ll become a priest, and offer sacrifice.”

Suddenly she notices the dazzling look upon the face of her beloved, and says,   
“Joseph, my dear, it must all be for a reason.  Someday this mystery will be revealed, like an epiphany.  For now, let us thank God for our child, and for these elaborate gifts from mysterious friends.  Let us place all of our trust in the One who gave us Jesus . . . for God is with us.  Shalom.”