Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (Cycle C, Year II)
Community Word: Those who diligently search Jesus will find joy in the Light of God.
Theme: We find joy in the Light of God when we adore and offer Him our time, talent and treasures.
Promise: “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.” (Is 60:5)
Reflection:
Today the Church celebrates the revelation of Jesus to the whole world. Epiphany means ‘manifestation’, and the Kings or wise men who seek and find him, represent peoples of every tongue, tribe and nation who set out, called by God, to adore Jesus. Psalm 72: “Gifts shall flow in from the lands of Tarsis and the islanders, tribute from the kings of Arabia and of Seba; all kings shall pay him homage, all nations serve Him.”
The story of the Epiphany captures the imagination with its rich mixture of mystery and intrigue. Into the Holy Family’s impoverished and temporary shelter come three wise men from the east bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Their journey through desert and mountain following a star reflects our search for purpose and meaning in life, which is not possible unless we are guided by faith which enables us to see beneath the surface of appearances.
At the center of it all is the innocence of the new born child, surrounded by adoration, wonder and mystery, who is able to stir the emotions, imagination and will of all those drawn into his presence. The story is always relevant because God sees to it that people who really search will find him. He will shed light into our darkness and make us new.
As the Christmas season draws to a close, the Epiphany reminds us of our journeying into another year following the individual path which we alone are meant to travel. Life is a pilgrimage, a long journey, but we need not necessarily travel alone, fumbling in the darkness in search of our destination. The Gospel simply mentions a star, something that entered the horizon of the wise men, changed their life, and prompted their journey. Many of us have experienced something similar in our own lives. A life-transforming event brought on by a person, an illness, financial or professional reversal, something that happens to shake our world and our complacency, prompting us on the journey. It could be a journey towards surrender or deeper faith, deeper hope and deeper love. The “star” that comes into our life can change us very powerfully as we begin to see more accurately the truth about ourselves, about others, about the community, about the Church and about the Lord. It is a course that could – and should – lead us to a deeper understanding of God’s ways.
Detractors abound, however. And there are those who would maintain that Jesus Christ is not the savior that all roads lead in the end to same point, anyway, forgetting or ignoring, that there are dead ends. Some even propose to get there, their own way, as in the song ‘…I did it my way’. But we all need a guide, a model, and examples to show the way, the wisdom of the church.
The Epiphany is more than just a visit of travelers from the East. It is about the journey of every soul toward God. The picture of these wise men before the Christ Child at the end of their journey gives us the confidence that, if we follow the grace and light God gives us we too will come into a deeper union, fulfillment and peace in Christ, the perfect Light. Nothing is ever the same again for those who have discovered His light. The responsibility we bear as disciples and stewards is to let the divine light within us shine through to others. By the light of a star, our Almighty God led the wise men to the birthplace of the Child Jesus. We also seek His guidance as we place our needs before Him.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for revealing your Son to us. Grant that we may always be open to His spirit of truth. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reflection Question:
1. Shouldn’t we who have found Jesus, not proclaim Him to others as the Savior who has filled our hearts? We, who have been called to the Savior, should we not, in turn call others to Him?
2. In discovering the newborn King, what gifts have you to offer as a sign of love and gratitude for what he has done for you, for your family, for the community and for the Church? How about offering your talent, time and treasures?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
January 3, 2016 (Sun) Is 60:1-6/ Ps 72:1-2,7-8,10-11,12-13/ Eph 3:2-3,5-6/ Mt 2:1-12
January 4, 2016 (Mon) 1Jn 3:22-4:6/Ps 2,7-8,10-12/Mt 4:12-17,23-25
January 5, 2016 (Tue) 1Jn 4:7-10/Ps 72:1-2,3-4,7-8/Mk 6:34-44
January 6, 2016 (Wed) 1Jn 4:11-18/Ps 72:1-2,10,12-13/Mk 6:45-52
January 7, 2016 (Thu) 1Jn 4:19-5:4/Ps 72:1-2,14,15,17/Lk 4:14-22
January 8, 2016 (Fri) 1Jn 5:5-13/Ps 147:12-13,14-15,19-20/Lk 5:12-16
January 9, 2016 (Sat) 1Jn 5:14-21/Ps 149:1-2,3-4,5-6,9/Jn 3:22-30
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
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