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Today is The Epiphany of the Lord. What usually pops into my mind is a picture of a caravan of camels and three richly dressed wise men from the East paying homage to Jesus in Bethlehem. Matthew has included a report of this visit in his Gospel. The other three Gospels make no reference to this visitation. Why does Matthew?

Matthew wrote his Gospel in order to persuade his countrymen that Jesus is one who fulfills the laws of Moses and the writings of the prophets. Jesus is the long awaited Messiah, the Saviour of the world. The visit of the wise men is the fulfillment of references in the Prophet Isaiah and in a Psalm of David. The wise men also represent all the people of the world who are Gentiles. In accepting their homage Jesus acknowledges that he has come in order to be the Saviour of all people. By including this story, Matthew says that Jesus is God’s Good News for everyone. Alleluia!

Bible Reading: Matthew 2: 1-12; 5:17, Psalm 72:10, Ephesians 3: 1-7