“Et adoraverunt eum.” – Matt. 2:11
Today, on the Octave Day of the Epiphany, the Church continues her meditation on the manifestation of the Lord to the Gentiles, culminating in the visit of the Magi. Though classified as a feria IV classis in the traditional calendar, the liturgical spirit of this day still echoes with the splendor of the Epiphany—manifestatio Christi. The readings, especially from Isaiah 60:1–6 and Matthew 2:1–12, resound with light, royalty, and adoration.
✧ “Arise, be enlightened, O Jerusalem, for thy light is come…” (Isaiah 60:1)
The Prophet Isaiah, writing centuries before the Incarnation, beholds in prophetic vision the future glory of the Church, prefigured in Jerusalem. The command to “arise” (surge) and be enlightened is not merely poetic—it is a call to conversion and awakening, fulfilled in the coming of Christ, who is Lux mundi (Jn 8:12).
St. Jerome sees in this prophecy the calling of the Gentiles to the Church:
“The glory of the Lord shall rise upon thee: this refers to the coming of the Savior and the preaching of the Gospel, by which Christ has shone upon those who were in darkness.” (Commentary on Isaiah)
The darkness that “shall cover the earth” is the ignorance and idolatry of the nations, but upon the Church “the Lord shall arise.” This Light draws the kings and nations to her radiance—just as the star drew the Magi to Bethlehem. The treasures of the Gentiles—”gold and frankincense”—are brought not merely as homage but as a sign of the spiritual wealth which the Church would inherit in the conversion of the nations.
St. Leo the Great likewise connects this prophecy with the coming of the Magi:
“The wise men, who followed the leading of a star, by their adoration of Christ, laid the first foundations of the faith among the Gentiles.” (Sermon 3 on the Epiphany)
✧ The Journey of the Magi (Matt. 2:1–12): Faith Seeking Understanding
In the Gospel of St. Matthew, we find the historical fulfillment of Isaiah’s vision: Magi from the East arrive in Jerusalem, seeking the King of the Jews. These are not mere astrologers or philosophers—they are, as tradition holds, representatives of the nations, led by grace through the created light of a star.
St. John Chrysostom writes:
“The star was not of the common sort, nor did it move according to the order of the heavens… but it had intelligence, and this is clear from its standing still over the Child. This was a work of divine power.” (Homilies on Matthew, 6.3)
Herod, the earthly king, is troubled—his throne is shaken by the report of a new King. But the Magi, unaffected by political fear, persevere in faith. Their journey is a metaphor for the soul’s pilgrimage to Christ: guided first by nature, then by the Scriptures (as the chief priests quote Micah), and finally by grace.
Their gifts, as St. Gregory the Great teaches, signify profound mysteries:
“Gold, because He is King; frankincense, because He is God; and myrrh, for He is to die.” (Hom. 10 in Evangelia)
✧ Adoration and Departure
The Magi “fell down and adored Him”—adoraverunt eum—the climax of the Gospel. Here, in the presence of the humble Christ, veiled in infant flesh, Gentile wisdom bows before Divine Wisdom Incarnate.
The Fathers note that they adored not only a child but a God. St. Augustine declares:
“They sought Him not to gratify curiosity, but to adore Him. Nor would they have adored Him if they had not known Him to be the Son of God.” (Sermon 200)
After this moment of encounter, they return to their country “by another way”—symbolic of the transformation wrought by meeting Christ. Once the soul truly adores Christ, it cannot return the same way; it must walk in the newness of grace.
✧ A Final Meditation: The Light Continues
On this Octave Day, the Church reminds us that the Epiphania Domini is not an isolated feast, but a mystery that continues to unfold. Christ, having manifested Himself to the Magi, continues to call the nations to Himself. The Church, radiant with His light, is still the Jerusalem of Isaiah’s prophecy.
Let us then arise with her. Let us, in the spirit of the Magi, bring our gifts—our will, our prayers, our sacrifices—to the feet of the Infant King. And having adored, may we walk henceforth by a new way.
✹ Collect (from the Octave Day of the Epiphany):
“Deus, cujus Unigenitus in substantia nostræ carnis apparuit: præsta, quæsumus; ut per eum, quem similem nobis foris agnovimus, intus reformari mereamur.”
(O God, whose Only-Begotten Son appeared in the substance of our flesh: grant, we beseech Thee, that we who acknowledge His outward likeness to us may deserve to be inwardly transformed by Him.)