Fr. Rick’s Three-Minute Homily for the Feast of the Epiphany

January 5, 2025, Matthew 2:1-12.

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010525.cfm

Artaban, the other Wise Man

Things aren’t always what they appear to be. I’m thinking of a youth who tries out his high school freshman year for the football team. He sure has talent, and the coach sees his potential.

The coach’s journey of discovery is a testament to the potential that often lies hidden. He observes the youth’s desire, work ethic, and dedication, correcting his mistakes along the way. And as time passes, the coach’s initial vision is validated. A new star has been unearthed, but it took everyone on a journey to realize it.

Today, I want to share a story that has inspired many over the years. It’s a story written by Henry Van Dyke in 1902 about a man named Artaban, often referred to as the other wise man. Artaban’s journey is a powerful reminder of how we can encounter Christ in unexpected ways and places.

He bought three jewels as gifts for this King: a sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl. On the day they plan to leave, he stopped to help an injured child, and wouldn’t you know it, they left without him. Without the support of others, he sold the sapphire to begin his own search.

Once again, he missed the boat, for by the time he arrived at Bethlehem, the Holy Family had already left for Egypt. Noticing that one of the holy innocents was about to be murdered, he bribed the soldier with his ruby. All that he had left now was his pearl.

He would come close to meeting this new King, but there were the hungry, sick, and unfortunate that he couldn’t pass by and not help. Some thirty years passed, and he found himself in Jerusalem, where he heard that Pontius Pilate had condemned to death a man who claimed to be the Messiah King. Thinking this might be the King he had been seeking, Artaban wanted to use his pearl to ransom this condemned man from death.

On his way to potentially meet the King, Artaban encounters a girl being sold into slavery. Without hesitation, he uses his last possession, the pearl, to set her free. Now, he is left with nothing, having not yet found the King.

Out of nowhere, the sky darkened, and there was an earthquake. A falling rock crushed Artaban to his death. Just before he died, the clouds parted, and he heard a voice, “Whatever you have done to the least of my children, you have done to me.”

Each individual Artaban helped was consoling the heart of Jesus, who loved those little ones so much. He served these little ones with the same fervor he saught his King.

And so, little had he known it, Artaban found this Messiah King many times. Things aren’t always what they appear to be. We’ve all been entrusted with many gifts and like Artaban, we will meet Jesus many times a day in other people.

Let’s be like the coach who saw the potential in the young lad and used his time and abilities to discover a star. That star, hidden from many, will always lead us to Jesus.

Love Your Neighbor!

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com