Jn. 1: 35-42
All of us seek God experience. The Epiphany of the Lord is also the story of the God experience of the three men. Of course various traditions speak about a fourth person, he too remains a legend along with the three magi. This feast teaches us that God reveals Himself to those who seek Him with a sincere heart.
Those who believe in God always seek for His experience. It can be in varied forms. Some people expect apparitions, some miracles like healing, a divine intervention in a difficult situation etc. At times, we fail to recognize the extra-ordinary in the ordinary events. I believe these wise men teach us the same. It is written in the gospels that a star appeared in the sky, it can be considered as a sign. They could recognize something extraordinary in that sign. There were many historical stargazers, astronomers, astrologers; but, only these people deciphered the heavenly code. If we reflect on their faith journey, it is something similar to that of Abraham. Nothing was certain about their journey; yet they moved out to all their comfort zones and set out, risking their life a hazardous journey the desert. However, in this faith journey they were not left alone. In the gospels, we read, an angel of the Lord guided them, especially in the crucial moments of their journey. These innocent men could not realize the wickedness behind the hospitality of the king Herod. Once they visited the saviour, the angel of the Lord guided them through another route.
These three wise men did not belong to the Jewish community, they were from different backgrounds. It implies the fact that whoever seek God, whatever be their religion, caste, colour, creed they will find Him, provided they cultivate an inner eye that recognizes the extra-ordinary in the ordinary circumstances.