Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
In many novels or Hollywood movies, there may be a conflict between good and evil. The usual story is that good people just want to live their lives without any trouble. However, evil people are intent on causing problems in order to gain power, control, and wealth. As the story unfolds, it is revealed the depths that evil people will go in order to attain what they want. Good people have to fight back in order to maintain justice and peace. This conflict between good and evil can be told in numerous ways, but it is the same story at the basic level. It is a battle between good and evil.
This battle has been ongoing since the fall of Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve decided to listen to the advice of evil rather than relying on the advice of the Holy One, who is all good. And because they chose to follow the advice of evil, more evil followed. Things quickly got worse. Evil tends to have a snowball effect. It may start small, but it can quickly grow to an enormous size.
In our Gospel reading, we hear a familiar story that is told every Christmas season (Mt 2:1-12). The magi visited Israel in order to do homage to the newborn king. It may seem like a simple story, but it has all the classic aspects of a conflict between good and evil. The Holy Family, innocence and goodness itself, and Herod, the personification of evil. This story easily represents the battle between God and the devil, the battle between good and evil.
Herod for his part had chosen evil. There was no good in his heart. Over the course of time, Herod had allowed his heart to become hardened to the point where he did not recognize good anymore. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1865ff.) If Herod had any goodness in his heart, he would have been able to recognize the connection between the magi seeking the newborn king and the prophecy of where this new king was to be born. Herod would have understood that this new king was the Messiah and had come to save his people Israel. Because Herod had hardened his heart, he could only see the new king as a threat. Someone that would take the kingship away from him. Herod wanted to cling onto his power, status, and wealth. These things were more important to him than the salvation of the people.
If God is all good and holy, as we believe, then why do so many people go in the opposite direction? If God wants to save souls and bring them to the joy and peace of heaven, then why do so many people reject this offer? It’s the mystery of the ages of the difference between good and evil, and just how opposite these two really are.
So, why do so many people reject God and decide to go in the opposite direction? The complexity of the human heart definitely plays a part in it. God made us in His image and likeness. This means that God made us with the ability to reason, and of our own free will to make a decision that will determine the direction of our lives. God gave us the capacity to choose Him or not. God gave us the capacity to choose His way, or to go our own way.
The decisions that we make throughout our lives influence the direction that we will ultimately take. The decisions that Herod made throughout his life obviously had an influence on him. By constantly choosing to go his own way, this made it almost impossible to choose God’s way when he was presented the opportunity. The appearance of the magi was a major opportunity presented to Herod to choose God and follow Him. However, Herod was used to going his own way; and when given the opportunity to experience conversion and change his ways, he continued to go his own way. Unfortunately, this was the way of evil, and it led to more evil such as the slaughter of the innocents.
Which way would you go today, God's way or your way?
Which way would you go today, God's way or your way?
In contrast, the magi must have made many good decisions in their lives to choose the good. This obviously opened their hearts to the understanding of the star signifying a newborn king. They also realized that this newborn king would be somebody special. Because of the celestial star, the gift of faith, and their choosing to go in God’s way, they chose to seek out the newborn king and do him homage. Their choosing goodness led to further goodness. It also led to peace in their hearts when they found what they were looking for, that is, Jesus.
My brothers and sisters, the battle between good and evil continues, and we are in that battle. God has given us the capacity to use reason and the free will to make decisions. The story of the magi can be a good example of how decisions throughout our lives will determine the direction that we will go. Will we go our own way? Or choose to go God’s way? Will we choose good in all things, even in the ones that seem insignificant? Or will we choose evil, even in the things that seem insignificant? Because even the small seemingly insignificant choices make a difference. If we choose to go our own way in small, insignificant matters, and this becomes the pattern of our lives, then this will weaken our resolve to go God’s way. If I say, “I love God, and I choose Him,” but in my daily life I regularly choose to do the opposite; then, am I really being faithful to God? Am I really choosing God? Or are these just words, and my actions show the opposite?
Herod kept choosing the opposite, and it led to his destruction. The magi chose to follow God’s way, and it led to Jesus and peace of mind and heart. God gives us the capacity to reason and of our own free will to make decisions. Upon further reflection, which way do we really choose in our daily lives? Which direction are we really going?
Fr. Tim Ilgen
