In the gospel of John, Andrew, previously a follower of John the Baptist, began following Jesus. As he followed Him, Jesus asked Andrew a piercing question, “what are you looking for?” We are all seekers. The real issues are the direction and motive of our search.
On Sunday, the Feast of the Epiphany, we encounter the wise men, seekers, from the east (Matthew 2:1-12). They sought constantly to grasp the mysteries of life, the secrets of heaven and earth. We imagine that they studied various scientific, philosophical, and spiritual theories. But the highest discipline they studied was astrology. In their quest for interpreting the stars and their impact on human events, the wise men’s readings would perhaps have included the oracle prophesying that “a star shall come out of Jacob and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.” (Numbers 24:17). Or they may have read Isaiah’s prophecy that spoke of light breaking through the darkness (Isaiah 60:1-2).
Their quest led them away from objective truth, into a deep, personal, life-changing, spiritual direction. When they observed the rising of an extraordinary star, they interpreted this as a sure sign of the fulfillment of prophecy. The King of the Jews was born. Assured in their hearts that they had come upon a truth greater than anything they ever studied, they followed the star. So strong was their faith, they traveled a long distance, carrying royal gifts to pay the newborn King homage. When they met Jesus, they were overwhelmed with joy, and they knelt and paid Him homage. We too are filled with joy when we meet Jesus. We join in a community of joy when we are reborn and sealed as Christ’s own forever in Baptism. God used a star to lead the wise men to His Son and God draws each of us to Himself in a very personal way.
Consider also, how God used Gentile folks from the far East, folks who resided outside of the boundaries of Israel’s religion, to announce to great worldly powers, King Herod, and the Temple leaders, that the Messiah was born. God, Emmanuel, has come to reside in the hearts of all people, Jew and Gentile, lowly shepherd and learned wise men. If we believe this, our joy increases! And God desires that we, seekers, all participate in announcing the Good News of His coming to all the world.
As we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, we discern in the wise men’s passionate quest to find Jesus, a metaphor for our spiritual journey; our search for God, and how God reveals Godself. Like the wise men, we search passionately for the One who came into the world to offer us love, joy, and peace. Like the wise men who read avidly, we ought to search diligently for God in the Sacred Scriptures. Like the wise men who were unafraid to seek directions to the King, our lives become a search for God in the world around us. Like the wise men, who followed the star, we allow the light of Christ to lead and direct our life choices. Like the wise men, we offer Him our best gifts, our bodies, our souls, our wills, our talents, and resources.
The question remains, “what are you looking for?” When the wise men discovered the star, they were certain that their quest was to find and worship the newborn King. As Christian seekers, our quest is to always worship and honor our Lord, into whose Body we were baptized.
