Some days ago I had the joy and, most of all, the privilege of being invited into a radio programme which centred on the liturgy of God's Word for that Sunday. In fact, on that Sunday we celebrated the solemnity of Epiphany of Our Lord. In other words, the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the gentiles as represented in the form of the "wise men from the East" (Matt 2:1).

The reading of the solemnity was taken from Matthew 2:1-12. As the reader began, I was very aware of some of its subtleties, which say a lot about our everyday lives. Firstly, the wise men asked: "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him" (Matt 2:2). These wise men or the Magi - the term Matthew uses in this short passage from his gospel, which some interpret as 'astrologers' - followed a star, something with which they were familiar. It was this star that led them to the Star, Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world.

What star am I following? Am I a prisoner of my horoscope? If I am, do I not realise that this horoscope is taking away my God-given faculty of shaping my own future through the decisions I take every day?

Secondly, Matthew also says that, on hearing that the king of the Jews had been born, King Herod "was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him" (2:3). Driven by fear, he assembled "all the chief priests and scribes of the people" (2:4) to ascertain "where the Christ was to be born" (2:4). And, later on, he spoke to "the wise men secretly" (2:7) to be doubly sure that a new king had been born. His certainty increased his insecurity and fear. The slaughter of the innocents we read about in Matthew 2:13-18 completely demonstrates how Herod, whose name means "song of the hero", used "consultation" not to seek the common good but simply to carry out his murderous agenda.

If I am entrusted with power, am I using it to become more powerful or as a way of truly promoting the common good of the people I was chosen to serve? Is not the process of honest consultation - or the lack of it - the decisive criterion which either makes credible or discredits my calling to serve?

A further point that really helped me appreciate this gospel passage was the reaction of the Magi when they saw the star. The text says: "when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy" (2:10). They could 'rejoice exceedingly' because theirs was an honest search for the truth. Do I really search for the truth with an open mind and heart? Do I sincerely reflect on what I read and experience in life so that I can find a relevant meaning for my existence? Or, because the prospect of truth challenges my comfort zone, do I resist any 'star' that could lead me to the saving truth that will eventually give me the peace for which I am continuously craving? What prejudices do I need to rid myself of in order to live freely?

In the end, the Magi were "warned in a dream not to return to Herod, so they departed for their own country by another way" (2:12). Am I courageous enough to let God surprise me? Or do I make my life - and the life of those around me - hell because I completely depend on my fallible calculations? Am I truly adventurous to the point of letting myself be led to my real self by another way - the way that emanates from the Star, the Ruler of everyone and everything?

After five phone-ins, my conclusion at the end of this radio programme was that it is no use memorising the Bible by chapter and verse if I do not love God and our neighbours as ourselves. The Pharisees knew the Bible by heart only too well. But they were miles away from the Lord because their heart was closed to the Star of Bethlehem, Jesus Christ! As St Leo said, only faith and good works will make us shine as children of the light.

What an epiphanic experience!

Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap