Yesterday was the feast of the Epiphany. This is the story about how the magi came and adored the Child Jesus. Matthew’s account of the story is very sparse. The word “magi” is a very difficult word to translate as it could mean a king or a wise man or something else. Also, Matthew never tells us how many magi were there. Tradition assumes there were three because of the three gifts. It is from this traditional view that we will take today’s reflection.
What can we take from the idea that there were three foreign kings? First, we must be aware that being a king means sovereignty. A king is at the top of a system of authority with those subject underneath. In the human soul, we have three divisions that all vie for supremacy in the person.
The first is the intellect. This is the rotational/analytic part of the soul. This is where our knowledge and our logic reside. This is represented by the gift of gold, which shines with the luster of light, like the light of reason. It also is represents the practical end of worldly success that prudence would give.
The second is the passion. This the emotional center of the soul that is concerned with feeling and the pleasures and pains of the senses. The pleasing aroma of frankincense reminds us of the appetites and delights of being a body with five senses.
The third is the will. This is the part of the soul that directs the whole person to action. Here is where we make the internal choice to do what we think is right or wrong. This is symbolized by the myrrh. It reminds us of the act of sacrifice which is the supreme expression of the will’s power.
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