Jan. 5, 2019: Epiphany
Have you ever had a desire to be a missionary? When we think of a missionary, it conjures an image of someone leaving behind his home country for a life overseas, braving a new culture, food, and language to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. I came to learn about a young Korean medical missionary doctor who has established a hospital for the poor in Mongolia. The doctor earned his medical degree from one of the most prestigious medical schools in South Korea. He was a rising star in the academia as he taught at a prestigious university. Yet when he went on a year long medical mission in Mongolia, he fell in love with the country and the people. He made plans to leave his teaching position to establish a permanent hospital for the poor in Mongolia and live there permanently with his wife and his young daughter. He named his hospital Agape Christian Hospital. He is often seen praying with his patients, drawing them to know Christ and helping them to see their suffering as sharing in the suffering of Christ. As he put aside his medical career in Korea, he pointed his patients in Mongolia to the true light—the light of Christ.
It takes humility to admit that we are not the star in this world and that we are merely following and reflecting the light of the goodness of the Son of God. We may be extremely intelligent, athletic, talented, or charismatic. However it is a temptation from the evil one to make another human person, including ourselves, a star for others to follow. King Herod was a sad example of a person whose greed for power and wealth blinded him from recognizing the true light that entered the world in Bethlehem. King Herod could not bear to hear that there was another king out there who would displace him. His fear and thirst for power led him to commit murderous act on the children of the town of Bethlehem.
The Three Kings from the Orient responded much differently to the appearance of a special star in the sky. They understood the light of the star as a path to encounter someone greater than they—the newborn king. They used their intelligence, talents, and energy in the service of searching for the newborn king. The light that shone on the stable in Bethlehem on Christmas night was for them an invitation to be missionaries. The three left the comfort and privilege of their status as kings in their home country and journeyed long distances. in search of a child. When they found a little child born in a stable, they were not put off by the child’s seemingly lowly state. They did not hesitate to humbly bow down to worship and present to the newborn the precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
We are to follow the example of the Three Kings in their desire to adore and serve Jesus. We may feel as though we have to travel far distances to get a glimpse of Jesus, but it’s really in our humility that we recognize him even among strangers whom we would rather avoid—those imprisoned, homeless, despised, and poor. Even as we observe evil and hatred in the world, political divisions, unrest in foreign countries, and brokenness in our own families, if we have eyes of love and mercy, we will recognize Jesus.
It’s not enough that we know the Christmas story, decorate our homes, and put out the nativity set. This new year, we need to rise above our own preconceived plans, to be open to change, and to take a different route just as the Three Kings did. We need to put aside our pretensions and put on Our Lord’s humility. Rather than asking the Lord, “What’s in store for me this year,” it’s better to ask, “What can I give to you Lord for your goodness to me?” I often hear from folks that their lives are mundane and seem insignificant in the eyes of the world. Many have wondered, “Have I accomplished anything worthwhile?” If we focus on what we can give to the Lord, listen to God’s call and pursue it, our lives will be significant.
As we celebrate the feast of Epiphany, let us take the opportunity to offer a precious gift of ourselves to our King, who came to reveal himself to us as a humble babe born in poverty. Let us offer Jesus the gifts of our prayer, adoration, and care for others.
