Since at least the latter parts of the nineteenth century, and into the twentieth, the Christian revelation has been done great disservice by interpretations of the scripture that are literalist, and – to make it worse – ideologically driven. For example, these interpretations consistently limit the poverty of those in scripture to their material poverty; and ignore the fact that a symbolic, mystical, or spiritual reading of the scripture would emphasize that the poverty that the Bible refers to is that of our poverty before God.
The problem with these readings is that it has produced Christians, Catholics even, who restrict their pastoral care to only those who are materially impoverished and either ignore, or actively discriminate against, those who are materially, or fiscally, rich. The preferential option for the poor, which is a wonderful direction for Christian charity, has, as a result, become a preferential option to ignore, and worse discriminate against, the rich and the privileged. This is a grotesque perversion of the Christian message, and we should examine our hearts to inquire if this is what our projects of Christian charity are motivated by, or perhaps result in.
The feast we celebrate today, the Epiphany, the adoration by the Magi, should help correct this tendency since we see that the rich, privileged and powerful too, have a role to play in the proclamation of the Gospel. Not only does Christ love them, and permit them to adore Him, but He actively reveals Himself to them. Indeed, He revealed Himself to them via the star, meaning he knew of the kind of knowledge they possessed – a knowledge born of a surplus of time, spent not in hard labour, but in contemplation. In so revealing Himself, He chose that they too should play a role in His revelation to humanity. His message was not restricted to Israel alone, but was directed towards all people. As St. Paul says to the Ephesians in today’s reading from the epistles:
it has now been revealed
to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:
that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body,
and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Indeed, those who privilege a restricted reading of the scriptures, can be compared to Herod in the Gospel episode we read today. Reflecting on this episode, Pope St. Gregory the Great points out that Herod serves as a symbol of false devotion. St. Gregory points out what should be obvious, that Herod here represents a ruler who focused completely on the mundane, and forgetful of the transcendental realities we live in, seeks to protect his earthly, or material, kingdom from Him whose kingdom is not of this world. This must operate as an indictment of Christians who to the exclusion of all else, focus on social justice alone, and berate those who focus on the mystical, and transcendental.
An anonymous ancient Christian commentator reflecting on Herod observes that when the wicked want to do serious harm, they paint treachery in the color of humility. There is much false humility that abounds in the Catholic church today, and this false humility is, in part, the result of literalist, or materialist, interpretations of scripture, that encourage hate, and a false piety.
One extricates oneself from this situation by looking anew on the scriptures. The adoration of the kings, or the Magi, offers us rich reflections.
Then you shall be radiant at what
you see,
your heart shall throb and overflow,
for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,
the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.
First, the privileged have a contribution to make to the Church, not only in the propagation of the Christian message, but in the reception of pastoral care. Secondly, not only is Our Lord worthy of worship by the privileged, but He wishes to be honored as kings are honored – with precious gifts of gold, and incense and myrrh. This is to say, our formal acts of worship must be solemn and accompanied by precious, and high-quality, offerings. Silks, gold, silver. These are not just acceptable, but worthy of inclusion in our worship. We must bear in mind that finesse in products and services is often the product of patronage by the privileged. The products of their surplus, leisure and contemplation, like those of the Magi, must be offered to Our Lord, for their, and our, own good. Our Lord loves and esteems the shepherds, but he loves and esteems kings and members of the elite classes too.
In his message to the youth at World Youth Day, Pope Francis emphatically emphasized that in the Church there is room for everyone, “Todos, todos, todos” (everyone, everyone, everyone). "And when there isn't, please, let's work so that there is."
(A version of this homily was first preached to the faithful at the Cathedral parish of St. Catherine of Alexandria on 4 January 2026.)
(Image reference: The Adoration of the Magi, Gentile da Fabriano, 1423, The Uffizi, Florence.)
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