By Jenny Kraska

The Gospel of Matthew tells us that “…Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews?’” (Mt 2:1-2). These Wise Men are seekers – men attentive to the signs of the times, courageous enough to leave what is familiar, and humble enough to follow a star whose destination they do not yet fully understand. Their journey is the heart of the Epiphany: God revealing Himself not only to Israel, but to the whole world.

The Magi are not guided by power, privilege, or certainty. They are guided by light. The star leads them beyond the courts of Herod and away from fear, manipulation, and self-preservation. It leads them instead to a child – poor, vulnerable, and hidden – yet fully divine. In that moment, the Magi discover what every human heart longs for: the Way, the Truth, and the Life, found not in ambition or control, but in Christ Himself.

Epiphany reminds us that faith is a journey of movement and conversion. When the Magi encounter Christ, they are changed. They kneel. They offer gifts. Matthew tells us that they “departed for their country by another way” (Mt 2:12). An encounter with Christ always sends us home differently than we arrived. We do not simply admire the light; we are transformed by it.

This Epiphany is especially significant, as the Church concludes the Jubilee Year. A Jubilee is a sacred time of grace, repentance, and renewal – a time to rediscover who we are and whose we are. As this Jubilee comes to an end, the Gospel invites us to look back with gratitude and honesty. Where have we seen the light of Christ along our path? Where did we resist it? Where did we follow the voice of Herod – fear, ego, or comfort – rather than the quiet guidance of God?

Yet Epiphany is not only about reflection; it is about direction. The Wise Men teach us that looking back is meant to help us move forward. As we begin a New Year, we stand at a crossroads much like the Magi. We do not know everything that lies ahead, but we do know who goes before us. Christ remains the star that does not fade, the light that does not deceive, the guide who leads us through uncertainty towards life.

As the Jubilee Year closes and a new year opens, let us pray that we, too, will have the courage to follow the light wherever it leads. May we seek Christ with perseverance, worship Him with humility, and return to our daily lives “by another way” – renewed in faith, strengthened in hope, and guided always by the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.