Giving homage is an attitude of heart

January 7, 2007 -- The Epiphany of the Lord

By Fr. Michael Stubbs

	Fr. Mike Stubbs

The star that appeared at Jesus' birth, the star of Bethlehem, was evidently a very large and bright star. That is why it attracts the attention of the magi, who follow it. That star still attracts our attention when we hear the story in Sunday's gospel reading, Matthew 2:1-12.

But the story does not focus upon the star. The magi travel by the light of the star, but the story reaches its climax when they arrive at Bethlehem. There, the magi pay homage to Jesus, the newborn king of the Jews. "They prostrated themselves and did him homage." That is the purpose of their trip, as the magi inform Herod, "We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage."

The gospel reading reinforces this theme of giving homage in Herod's reply to the magi, when he falsely tells the magi that he too would like to offer homage. "When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage."

The theme of giving homage pervades Matthew's gospel. In total, the word occurs 11 times there, compared to twice in Mark's gospel and twice in Luke's gospel. Consequently, the theme of giving homage plays a particularly significant role in Matthew's gospel. It distinguishes that gospel from the others. Faith naturally leads to worship in Matthew's gospel. Giving homage is the outward action which shows that attitude of heart. Believers feel inspired to prostrate themselves in front of the God in whom they believe.

When Matthew's gospel was being written, the giving of homage was an action directed not only to God but also to kings and other earthly rulers. The king was often viewed as God's representative to the people. In many countries, the king was deified. Egypt offers a good example of that, in its treatment of the Pharaoh.

If homage was ordinarily directed, not only to God, but also to earthly kings, then the action of the magi toward the Christ child bears with it some ambiguity. As Christians, we might suppose that their action is motivated by faith in Jesus as the Son of God. That is what would motivate us, had we been there. On the other hand, the magi's action could have just as easily been based on their respect for Jesus as the earthly king of the Jews. After all, that is what their question suggests, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews?" They do not ask about the newborn Son of God, or the Messiah, if indeed they even thought in those terms. They pay him homage just as they would King Herod, or any other earthly king. There is no reason for us to suspect religious motivation on their part.

Strict adherence to the story line would demand that interpretation. On the other hand, the theological logic of the story, and of the entire gospel of Matthew, suggests otherwise. The magi are Gentiles, who come to Jesus Christ. In doing so, they represent all the Gentiles who will eventually come to Christ through faith in him. That faith will lead them to worship him, to pay him homage.

In that way, the magi serve as role models for us all. Just as the star guided the magi to the Christ child, so also we are guided by the light of faith. And once there, we worship him, just as the magi did.

(Fr. Stubbs, a priest of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, has a master's degree in theology from Harvard.)