Bulletin Column: The Elaborate Providence of God

Some people call it luck, but, as Christians, we often use providence to describe the way life unfolds to bless or benefit us in an unexpected way. The word providence comes from the same root as provide, emphasizing the attention and care God gives to his creatures, including each of us.

The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, which we celebrate this weekend, is a beautiful example of God’s providence. Prior to the Nativity, God had primarily revealed Himself to the Jewish people, but with the birth of Jesus, the Father is doing something new:

Simeon had foretold that the Divine Babe would be a Light to the Gentiles. They were already on the march. At His birth there were the Magi, or the scientists of the East; at His death, there would be the Greeks, or the philosophers of the West. The Psalmist had foretold that the kings of the East would come to do homage to Emmanuel. Following a star, they came to Jerusalem to ask Herod where the King had been born. It was a star that led them. God spoke to the Gentiles through nature and philosophers; to the Jews, through prophecies. The time was ripe for the coming of the Messiah and the whole world knew it. Though they were astrologers, the slightest vestige of truth in their knowledge of the stars led them to the Star out of Jacob, as the ‘Unknown God’ of the Athenians later on would be the occasion for Paul preaching to them the God Whom they knew not, but dimly desired. Though coming from a land that worshiped stars, they surrendered that religion as they fell down and worshiped Him Who made the stars. The Gentiles in fulfillment of the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah ‘came to Him from the ends of the earth.’ The Star, which disappeared during the interrogation of Herod, reappeared and finally stood over the place where the Child was born. At the sight of the star they were overjoyed. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and bowed to the ground in homage to Him; then they opened their treasures and offered Him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They brought three gifts: gold to honor His Kingship, frankincense to honor His Divinity, and myrrh to honor His Humanity which was destined for death. Myrrh was used at His burial. The crib and the Cross are related again, for there is myrrh at both.
– Archbishop Fulton Sheen, Life of Christ
 
That God would become man is incredible enough. That He would choose to live and die among us in order to save us from sin and death is astounding—and that he would reveal this truth to three Gentiles from the East, leading them to the Holy Family to pay homage to the newborn king with prophetic and kingly gifts is truly beautiful. It reveals the Lord as our Lord—a savior for all of mankind, through all of history.

How will you respond to such a great gift?

Father Brian Park
Pastor