With Opened Bible
The Magi
“They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
Then they opened their treasures
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2, 11)
The Magi (who were not kings) came from the East to worship the King of Heaven. This celebration reminds us that Jesus' mission is universal, calling all nations to salvation. It is spiritual migration that every baptized person must undertake to attain eternal bliss. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the Magi offered three things to Christ the Messiah: gold, symbol of royalty; frankincense, symbol of divinity; and myrrh, symbol of fragile, mortal humanity. In this sense, these men of knowledge migrated from their ignorance to eternal truth.
For a long time, some believed that there were three Magi (a number corresponding to the three offerings). The Bible says nothing about this. But what is certain is that they could not have traveled from the Ancient East to Judea without an escort or a caravan.
Biblically speaking, the number three is significant. Far from being linked to the Trinity, this number rather reflects the totality of humanity. According to the Book of Genesis, Noah's three sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—are the origin of races and colors (Genesis 6:10). By reducing the caravan of Magi to three figures, the Church invites us to understand that Jesus, the Messiah, came for the salvation of the world, and his light attracts all nations, languages, peoples, and tribes. " The Epiphany of the Lord is his manifestation to the nations (pagan peoples) thirsting for truth and light. The prophecy of old proclaimed it, and today we celebrate its fulfillment: 'All kings will bow down before him, all nations will serve him.' (Psalm 72:11) Thus, the Church receives the universal mission: 'Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.' (Matthew 28:19-20)"
