The Epiphany of the Lord

They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

We can learn a lot from the Three Magi about how to pay God homage. They approach Jesus in humility and with hands outstretched with their gifts. They offer these gifts to Him as symbols of his kingship and divinity. They also remind us of the three missionary callings all Christians have: kingly, priestly, and prophetic. The gold represents our kingly mission to shepherd the world through our actions. The frankincense represents our priestly calling to pray for the world. The myrrh represents the prophetic mission to proclaim the healing power of the Gospel to the world, even though it might cost us our lives.

How often do we prostrate ourselves physically, mentally, or spiritually to God? What are the gifts we have to offer to God? How do we fulfill our kingly, priestly, and prophetic missions in the world?

O Lord, we offer you all our gifts and talents to do with as you Will in accord with the kingly, priestly, and prophetic missions you want us to undertake for your Glory.

Amen.