Epiphany of the Lord
Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12
The Quality of Our Search: A Journey of Faith
Today’s Feast of the Epiphany invites us, as families and as individuals, to reflect on how we search for God. The Gospel centers on the Magi—three wise men from the East—who set out in faith to find the newborn King. God revealed himself to them through nature, through a star in the sky, and ultimately through the gift of his Son, Jesus. This same God continues to reveal himself today—within our homes, our daily routines, and our family journeys of faith.
There is a striking contrast in the story. The religious leaders and scholars of the time knew the Scriptures well. They could quote the prophecy and identify Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah, yet they made no effort to go and see. Though close in distance, they were far in spirit. Like watchmen who had fallen asleep, they allowed the living Truth to pass them by. Knowledge alone was not enough; their hearts were unmoved.
The Magi, on the other hand, were outsiders—pagan foreigners with no formal knowledge of the Scriptures. Yet they were attentive, curious, and courageous. They noticed a sign, trusted it, and began a difficult journey. “We have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him.” Their path was not easy. They traveled through uncertainty and darkness, guided by faith rather than certainty. Still, they persevered—and in the end, they found Jesus.
The Magi’s journey mirrors our own family journeys of faith. We, too, are called to recognize the signs of God’s presence—in moments of joy and struggle, in questions our children ask, and in the quiet moments of prayer at home. Faith does not remove darkness, but it gives us confidence that the darkness will pass if our search for God is sincere and loving.
The Magi’s adoration fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy: nations would walk by a great light, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. After encountering Christ, they returned home by another route—not only to avoid Herod, but because they themselves were changed. Their encounter with Jesus gave them a new direction, a new way of living.
For families today, this “new path” is an invitation to choose values that lead to life: prayer over distraction, love over fear, faith over indifference. When Christ is welcomed into our homes, our priorities change, and our lives are never the same.
A survey once asked children why they loved the Harry Potter stories. The most common answer was, “Because you never know what’s going to happen next.” The Magi lived with that same sense of mystery. They did not know where the journey would lead—only that they were being guided by God. They trusted the Spirit one step at a time.
May we pray for that same trust as families: the courage to follow God even when the way is unclear, and the faith to believe that the same star still leads us today. No matter our background or path in life, if we know whom we are searching for, we will surely find him. The joy of reaching the manger depends on the quality of our search—and on hearts willing to worship.
