EPIPHANY

Where Is the Newborn King?

Behold, the Lord, the Mighty One, has come; and kingship is in his grasp, and power and dominion. (Entrance antiphon)

Happy Feast of the Magi! For the last weeks of Advent and Christmas the Sunday readings for Mass have been of expectation, focusing on the prophecies of a Messiah for the people of Israel. The baby in the manger is one of the signs given by the angels to the local shepherds, but in today’s readings it is made clear that the blessing that was promised extends to the whole wide world. “Lord, every nation on earth will adore you,” says the responsorial psalm (Psalm 72). In the second reading, St. Paul says to the Ephesians that the Spirit has now revealed that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus to the gospel. This is such great news! Anyone is invited, anyone is welcome to belong to the family of God. 

The gospel narrative of the Magi is captivating, full of drama, suspense, secrets and dreams. Where is the newborn king of the Jews, ask the Magi. King Herod and all of Jerusalem are greatly troubled by this news. In 2024 we can ask ourselves the same question: Where is the newborn baby Jesus? What difference has his coming made in my life? Am I troubled? Am I overjoyed? 

I know that I will be looking for baby Jesus – or better said, his plastic representation, in the Rosca de Reyes (King’s cake) that we share with family and friends this day. But in the following days and weeks, as routine and our usual business returns, will I continue to look for Jesus? Will you?

– Irma Vasquez
Send Us Forth are reflections written by St. Matthew parishioners and friends.