Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection for - Sunday, January 4, 2026

Happy New Year! Today, we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany, the day on which “magi from the East” came seeking the infant Jesus, to bring Him gifts, and to pay Him homage. “Magi” were learned (or “wise”) men who studied the stars and probably performed some types of magic. More than anything else, they were “seekers” who had great intellectual curiosity.

They sought the birthplace of the “the newborn king of the Jews” which had been heralded by the prophets Isaiah and Micah more than 700 years earlier. They carried gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold represented wealth and power. Frankincense was a type of incense and perfume. Myrrh was added to oil used for anointing kings. These foreigners approached this infant “king” with reverence and humility. Yet, His own people could not understand the critical importance of His arrival. In fact, King Herod was “greatly troubled” because he was worried about whether Jesus would be a challenge to his power. The chief priests and scribes were – at best – ambivalent to Christ.

On the other hand, the Magi, who knew very little about the God of Israel, spent much time and effort to seek Him. While the Magi did not know God, He knew them and placed a remarkable star in the winter sky precisely because He knew that the Magi would notice a new, very bright star. The Magi opened themselves up to the unknown possibilities of following the star. They weren’t sure where they were going, or even why they were going, but they humbly devoted their time and resources to take the journey.

When they arrived, they were “overjoyed” and transformed by their encounter with Jesus. Then, they “departed for their country by another way.” They not only physically followed another road to their home, but they were different men when they got home. They did not just follow another way; they were now joyfully following The Way. Like the Magi, we must have the humility and curiosity to be “seekers:” seekers of deeper relationships with God and others; seekers of the light of Jesus Christ; seekers of the truth of the Gospel; and, seekers of The Way to eternal life.

May God richly bless you as you seek Him throughout this New Year!

Fr. Mike