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January 6, 2023I grew up celebrating on this day the Mexican tradition of El Día de los Reyes Magos (The Day of the Wise Men). Whether at school or at home, we would cut a Rosca de Reyes (which is a cake like a Mardi Gras King cake), hoping not to get a toy of the baby Jesus in our slice, otherwise, whoever gets it will need to bring the tamales on February 2nd! Even though the Epiphany of the Lord is transferred to Sunday this year, many roscas will still be sliced today. Still, January 6 is Holy Day for many cultures! It is a day in which people have long gathered to celebrate the example of these Magi from the east, who traveled to worship God.
The readings today offer us a reminder that this newborn King and our God was born to die for us; He came through water and Blood. We are encouraged to remember that we, too, have died to our old life at our Baptism: we were indeed buried with him through baptism into death (Rom. 6:4). This death to our old life has brought us a new life in the Spirit to imitate the example of the Magi and offer worship to the true God.
We can receive God’s gift of our Baptism again when we devoutly pray the Creed and receive the Eucharist at Mass. We approach the true God to offer Him the gift of our life in a time when such gift is denied by the empty promises of society today; empty promises spread through a consumerist culture, empty political ideologies, and sinful attachments.
May we recall today that the Father has called us His beloved children from the moment of our Baptism. We belong to God! And this coming Sunday, when we celebrate the Lord’s Epiphany at Mass, reflect that the Magi gave us the example to travel from long distances to be near God, to worship Him, and offer Him what is of most value—without being swayed by the political impulses of King Herod.
