Scholars suggest that the Magi mentioned in today’s gospel (Mt. 2:1-12) probably journeyed from the area around Babylon.  If that were the case, the Magi who came to give homage to the newborn king of the Jews travelled around 900 miles.  The distance from Jerusalem to Bethlehem is around 7 miles yet Herod, the chief priests and the scribes – even when being able to point to the prophecy in Scripture – could not bring themselves to leave the comfort of the court in order to also give homage.  Why the difference between the Magi willing to travel over 900 miles and the local authorities not willing to travel 7 miles?

The difference is love.  Even before seeing the newborn king, the Magi were caught up in love of the newborn king.  This was more than a journey to prove some abstract theory of star alignment.  The abstract does not give the resolve needed to endure the hardship of a 900-mile journey.  Only love gives such resolve.  Unlike Herod and his officials imprisoned in their fear and complacency, the Magi were caught up in the love of a God that they could not see but would soon behold in the smallness of a manger. 

Epiphany gives each of us the same invitation to come and adore Jesus.  Epiphany invites us to love Jesus.  In his book, “Jesus Christ, the Holy One of God” Cardinal Cantalamessa asks the fundamental question, “Why should we love Jesus?” and in response he offers six reasons.  Each worthy of note. 

The first reason, Jesus has asked us to.  At the end of John’s gospel, the risen Lord asks Peter the same question three times, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”  It will be the same question asked of each of us when we each stand before Jesus and it will not be enough to say, “Lord, I belonged to the church.  I went to Mass.”  No, the question will be direct and focused there will not be others.  Jesus will look at each of us and ask, “Do you love me?”  We will be judged on this love.  Jesus asks us to love him, pure and simple. 

The second reason is that Jesus has loved us first.  This truth needs to sink into every aspect of our lives and every corner of our heart.  We are loved infinitely by Jesus.  It is that love of Christ that impels us. 

Third, we ought to love Jesus because he deserves to be loved and is loveable in himself.  Everything that is good, everything that is true, everything that is beautiful is fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth.  Within our very being has been planted, by God himself, the yearning to love and know the good.  This is Jesus and he alone answers this deepest yearning of the human heart. 

We ought to love Jesus because only those who love him can know him.  Everyone – believer, atheist, non-believer, non-Christian, secular agnostic – seems to have an opinion about Jesus and many are quite sure in their opinion but opinion does not equal knowing.  Only when we love Jesus do we begin to know Jesus.  Love and true knowledge demand this risk.  Opinions are just puffs of wind. 

Fifth, we ought to love Jesus because everyone who loves him is loved by the Father.  Jesus says this again and again throughout the gospels.  We need to take him at his word. 

Finally, we ought to love Jesus because only by loving him (continually striving to live in relationship with him) is it possible to live his words and put his commandments into practice.  Are we finding the living of the faith difficult?  Before we beat ourselves up for a perceived lack of will and determination on our part, it would be more beneficial to ask, “Am I talking to Jesus?  Am I praying?  Am I welcoming Jesus into my life?”  The Christian life has never been meant to be a solo mission.  We know the Kingdom by walking with Jesus and welcoming Jesus to walk with us. 

The difference between the Magi and the officials is love.  Epiphany invites us to love Jesus, to adore like the Magi and in that adoration, Epiphany gifts us with the ability to persevere – just like the Magi – in the journey of our lives.