In the United States, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord this Sunday. The three magi, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, followed the star to Bethlehem to adore the newborn King. They brought gifts of gold because the Child was a King, frankincense because the Child was God and myrrh because the Child was destined to be a sacrifice. May we humbly adore our Savior, offering our gift of love.
Many of you offer your gifts in services to our parish community and outreach services as well. With your gifts of love, you shine like stars and help to lead many to Christ.
Since before the Middle Ages, Catholics would bless their house by inscribing with blessed chalk the initials of the three kings above their doorways. This tradition symbolizes the family’s commitment to welcome Christ into their homes throughout the year. It provides protection against illness and misfortune for those within.
They would mark their doors with 20 + C + M + B + 14 “Christus Mansionem Benedicat,” which means “May Christ bless this house.” (Casper, Melchior and Balthasar with the first two numerals of the year 2014 preceding the C, and the last two numerals of the year placed after the B).
Retired Pope Benedict XVI said last year in a homily that when the wise men from the East led the way, they opened up the path of the gentiles to Christ. “No doubt there were many astronomers in ancient Babylon, but only these few set off to follow the star that they recognized as the star of the promise, pointing them along the path towards the true King and Savior. They were, as we might say, men of science, but not simply in the sense that they were searching for a wide range of knowledge: they wanted something more. They wanted to understand what being human is all about.”
They were men in search of the promise, in search of God. What kind of star do you follow?
Fr. Rafal Duda,
Parochial Vicar