Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord (Cycle A, Year II)

Community Word: Jesus is the revelation of God’s Truth and Light to the world.

Theme: We reveal Jesus to the world when we share our time, talent, and treasure.

Promise: “…he shall rescue the poor when he cries out…” (Ps 72:12)

Reflection:

This manifestation of the Lord, or Epiphany, is what we are celebrating this Sunday. Christ manifestation to the Magi of the East is symbolic of His real manifestation to the whole world, that Jesus came for all people and we are all called to adore Him. The mission for His coming is to save not only Israel, but the whole world as we declare in Psalm 72:11: “Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.” Indeed, this is a wonderful day because Epiphany is something far beyond our understanding and yet so close to us that the only way to express it is God’s hunger to be one with us, sending His Son to become man and living with us every moment of our ordinary lives.

The reading from the Prophet Isaiah bids us to “Arise, shine out because our light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising in us, though night still covers the earth and darkness the people.” By His birth, Jesus is revealed as God’s Truth and the great Light to the world. This day is second only to Easter in its light, power and glory, the day of universal light dawning, a day of splendor and shining radiance. We, as communities and nations, are made aware to walk in the truth and light of the wisdom of God, to walk in the way of this Child born to us, who made it possible for us to be intimate with God once again and become members of one body, one Spirit and one heart in Christ.

But as we look upon the crib, we cannot just stay there. Like the shepherds and the Magi, we too must move away and take the Light of Jesus with us. Yes, we are asked not only to admire the light, but to express our gratitude and become people of light ourselves. As Jesus tells us, “you are the light of the world and your light must shine,” (cf Mt 5:14-16). The light of the Epiphany is given to us as a gift, but we cannot keep it for ourselves. Through the quality of our daily lives, in how we treat each other, we are called to make our families, communities, societies and the wider world a better and brighter place for all people, most especially the poor and the marginalized. Our theme says that a way to serve Jesus and bring His light to others is by caring for them and sharing our time, talent and treasure.

As renewed Christians, we are the “epiphany” of the Lord in this world by being Jesus in our compassion and generosity to others. As we faithfully serve Christ and reveal Him to others, we are one with Him in this week’s promise: “… he shall rescue the poor when he cries out.” (Ps 72:12a).

A touching example in a Community is the last word of a teenage daughter to her mother in her death bed. She said that she is very thankful to the Lord that their whole family, a mission outreach beneficiary, has been embraced as regular members of the Community and become intimate with Christ. Before her death, she revealed that she had a vision of heaven and purgatory with the souls of suffering children.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we earnestly look to You for guidance as we start this New Year. Open our spiritual eyes to the multitude of ways that You guide us. Help us to see Jesus in our daily lives especially in dark, difficult times. Like the wise men, lead us to a new way to go and share Jesus with those who live and work around us, especially the poor and wounded in life. Thank You for sending Jesus to walk among us. Amen.

Reflection Guide Questions:
1. What plans do you have for a more meaningful service to the Lord in Community as the New Year ushers in?

2. How do you live up to the challenge to offer your time, talent and treasure to Godin serving Community?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
January 5, 2020 (Sun) -Is 60:1-6/Ps 72:1, 2, 7, 8, 10-13/Eph 3:2, 3, 5, 6/Mt 2:1-12
January 6, 2020 (Mon) -1Jn 3:22, 4:6/Ps 2:7, 8, 10-12/Mt 4:12-17, 23-25
January 7, 2020 (Tue) -1Jn 4:7-10/Ps 72:1-4, 7, 8/Mk 6:34-44
January 8, 2020 (Wed) -1Jn 4:11-18/Ps 72:1, 2, 10, 12, 13/Mk 6:45-52
January 9, 2020 (Thu) -1Jn 4:19, 5:4/Ps 72:1, 2, 14, 15, 17/Lk 4:14-22
January 10, 2020 (Fri)-1Jn 5:5-13/Ps 147:1-15, 19, 20/Lk 5:12-16
January 11, 2020 (Sat)-1Jn 5:14-21/Ps 149:1-6, 9/Jn 3:22-30

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”