Tomorrow, we celebrate the feast of the Magi or Epiphany. Magi were wise men or enlightened astrologers. The feast is also called epiphany (from the Greek word ‘epiphanein’) which means manifestation.

Christ as the Messiah manifested himself not only to the chosen people (Jews) but to all, whether Christians or non-Christians. Hence, the teaching of certain church denominations that they — and only they — will be saved contradicts the message of the Bible, particularly today’s Epiphany event.

What messages can we learn from the Magi episode? According to the evangelist Matthew, the wise men searched for the new-born Child. Searching requires courage and perseverance.

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It takes a strong conviction to be faithful to one's religious principles and persevering moral integrity. This recalls the much-publicized honest taxi driver Emilio Advincula, many years ago, who was a poor man, struggling to support his wife and children. Just that auspicious morning, he had been worrying about how to repay a debt to his brother-in-law.

When he saw the bag left behind by a balikbayan woman on the passenger seat of his cab, he never dared open it, remembering what his mother had often told him as a boy: “No matter what, never take anything that’s not yours.”

The bag contained some ₱2 million worth in cash and jewelry. Despite the alluring temptation to run off with the valuables, he stuck to his moral conviction and returned them.

In married life, it takes patience, perseverance, and one’s religion to help a husband or wife to be faithful.

The late St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta exemplified faithfulness and perseverance.

When she was asked about her difficult task of serving the poorest of the poor, a man queried: “Mother Teresa, don’t you get tired of your work, and think of retiring, and enjoy your remaining years?” Mother Teresa replied: “I was called by God not to be successful but to be faithful.”

Let’s imitate the fidelity and perseverance of the Magi, the honest taxi driver Emilio Advincula, and the late Mother Teresa. Jesus reminds us, saying: “He who perseveres to the end (in faith and integrity) will receive the crown of eternal life.”

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The lighter side. “Dear God, all I ask for the New Year is a ‘fat’ wallet and a ‘thin’ body. And please don’t mix them up... like you did last year!”

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A story is told about a Franciscan, a Jesuit, and an SVD who paid homage to the Christ Child in Bethlehem. The Franciscan was interested in the manger to serve as reminder of the poverty and simplicity their Order professed.

The Jesuit was more interested to have Jesus enrolled at their school Ateneo.

When they looked around for the SVD, he was nowhere to be found. They discovered later that he ran after the Three Kings — soliciting donations for the mission!

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Give love. In the spirit of Christmas and New Year, let’s reach out to the poor as well as our poor seminarians. Send donation in cash or kind.

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