Fr. Alarcon's sermon yesterday, on the feast of the epiphany, put emphasis on how the Magi are called to be "wise." He asks, "Ano ang pagiging Pantas?" (How is one called wise?). He shares that for one to be called wise, one must have two things: Knowledge and Experience. He continues... "a fresh graduate applying for a job may be knowledgeable, but he is not wise, for he doesn't have the experience of someone who has spent years in the company. A newly wed couple may be knowledgeable on marriage, but they don't have the wisdom of those who celebrate their 25th, 50th or 60th wedding anniversary."
Why do we need to have wisdom? To fully grasp Christ's teachings. We don't only need the knowledge Catechism teaches us. We need the experience to understand them. The wise men were considered wise in their time because they knew how to interpret the stars. It was the science of their times. They knew something important was happening and sought the mysterious light. They didn't only know something was happening. They lived it. They experienced it.
What did Matthew say about the Magi? Matthew didn't mention there were three but mentioned that the Magi from the east bore three gifts . Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. Symbolizing the three roles Christ was to undertake. King, priest, and the ultimate sacrifice. Tradition gave us the names. Caspar or Gaspar, Melchor, and Balthazar.
The Magi had the tenacity to seek out Christ. Similar to us, we don't know the exact path or formula to discover Jesus, we only have but a simple guide that lights our way. In our way are a lot of Herods tempting us and tricking us to hand over our salvation. May we like the Magi keep our eyes on our target. Seeing Jesus and someday kneel at the foot of His throne to bear him the gift of us.
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