“… they prostrated themselves before him… and offered him their gifts”
Mt 2:1-12
Sermon of 6 Jan. 1609 (VIII, 38)
It is a great feast when the Church of the Gentiles (non-Jews, for Saint Paul) receives Christ. Today is a great feast because the Gentiles are weaned from idolatry and come to Christ and to the House of Bread (Bethlehem). To contemplate this mystery we want no other star than Mary.
Today is the day of giving. Never did Christ receive a more magnificent gift.
It is necessary to know how to offer our gifts to God. We will learn this from the example of the Magi… Who are they? Magi, not magicians, but wise kings; without having faith, they believed. Pious kings, who observed the stars in view of the prophecy of Balaam (Num 24:17). Their devotion is evident as they leave their kingdoms, run and present themselves with fearlessness to King Herod, and ingenuously confess their faith to him.
And then, they were wise; but the wise man is not without being good… St. Augustine says that the Magi gave gold, as to a king; incense, as to a God; myrrh, as to a mortal. According to St. Gregory, gold represents wisdom, frankincense prayer, myrrh mortification. Meditation, prayer, good works.
Seneca recounts: “A great number of disciples offered Socrates rich gifts. Aeschines, a poor listener, said to him, “As for me, I find nothing worthy of you, and it is in this that I recognize myself as poor.” Therefore I wish to give thee the only property that I possess, myself; I beg you to accept this gift… Socrates answered, “Your gift is small only in your own esteem.” I will therefore take care to restore you to yourself one day, better than you were.”
This is how we can come and worship the Lord.