GOD MANIFESTATION
God manifestation of Himself to us is in so many ways. This is called “theophany”, the greatest of which at the fullness of time was the revelation of his son Jesus Christ. However, there is a daily manifestation of God in the people we meet. He manifests Himself also in nature, in the events and experiences of our lives. More so, He manifests Himself to us in the sacraments, in His Word and the great and little things of life.
Epiphany comes from a Greek word, “epiphainein”, meaning “reveal” or “epiphaneia”, meaning “appearance” or “manifestation,” and refers to the manifestation or revelation of Jesus Christ to the world. It is the feast of the revelation (theophany) of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. A feast commemorates principally (but not solely) the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child, and thus Jesus’ physical manifestation to the Gentiles’ world.
This is usually celebrated on the 6th of January traditionally. However, it is one of the moveable liturgical celebrations that could be celebrated on a Sunday before or after the 6th if that is not a Sunday.
OUR THEME
The readings of this feast of the Epiphany the theophany of God in the person of Jesus Christ focus on the brightness of God´s glory or light shining to dispel the darkness of sin and ungodliness. God is for all people and nation without racial, cultural or ethnic distinction or discrimination. God who visits and to live among men.
Christ manifestation or revelation to the world implies He is a barrier-breaker of stereotype among people: Jews and Gentiles, sinner and saints, men and women, free and slaves, young and old. There is also a universal call to follow the star of grace and to seek and offer to Him our most precious gift: our hearts to know and adore Him.
FIRST READING: ISAIAH 60:1-6
The prophet Isaiah prophesying Christ birth and the Magi´s visit articulates the purpose of the theophanic revelation. The glory and the light of God will shine on the pagan nations that live in darkness and the shadow of death. They recognised the Messianic presence of God in Christ and come to him with their gifts and adorations.
The psalmist in the psalm of today 147 invites us to Praise the Lord in Jerusalem all people and all nations as peace is established on earth.
SECOND READING: EPHESIANS 3:2-3, 5-6
St. Paul in his letter to the Church or Christians of Ephesus explains the universal implication of the Epiphany of Jesus Christ. This Messianic secret hidden for many ages but now revealed to all is through the work and action of the Holy Spirit. That is, by grace gentiles share in the same heritage, blessings and privileges like the Jews in Christ Jesus.
The truth is that it is only through the action of the Holy Spirit and an integrated Christian life in Christ Jesus that racial, cultural, ethnical, social, political and religious barriers can be broken.
THE GOSPEL: MATTHEW 2:1-12
The today of Matthew is the fulfilment of the first reading of the prophecy of Isaiah. The Magi’s visit shows the light of Christ for all the nations. However, there is a lot to learn for the personalities and imageries of the gospel text.
1. Bethlehem a six miles city of David south of Jerusalem. It means the house of bread and besides been ancient and significant city of the Jews. It is also one of the tiniest cities of Israel favour by God to be well known due to Christ birth.
2. The image of merger, crib or stable seems like a tenet for animals. However, it is on record that Jesus was born in a cave, which still exists up till date. Justin Martyr, one of the greatest of the early Fathers, who lived about A.D. 150, and who came from the district near Bethlehem, tells us that Jesus was born in a cave near the village of Bethlehem (Justin Martyr: Dialogue with Trypho, 78, 304). This is where the Church of Nativity was constructed by Emperor Constantinople.
3. The wise men from the East known as the Magi were believed to have come from the Median tribe. The Medes were part of the Empire of the Persians. The Magi were teachers and instructors of the Persian kings. Men who were skilled in philosophy, medicine and natural science like astrology. They were soothsayers and interpreters of dreams at their best they were good and holy men, who sought for truth.
(i) Tradition has the Magi´s names as Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar.
(ii) Melchior was an old man, grey-haired, and with a long beard, and it was he who brought the gift of gold.
(iii) Caspar was young and beardless, and ruddy in countenance, and it was he who brought the gift of frankincense.
(iv) Balthasar was swarthy, with the beard newly grown upon him, and it was he who brought the gift of myrrh.
4. The gifts are very symbolic to Christ identity and his mission on earth. Gold is the gift for a king. Frankincense is the gift for a priest. Myrrh is the gift for one who is to die.
5. In those ancient days all men believed in astrology. They believed that they could foretell the future from the stars, and they believed that a man’s destiny was settled by the star under which he was born. The brilliant star that appeared and led the Magi to Christ is the star of grace. Dispose to accompany all seeker of the truth to the Eternal Truth and Light, Jesus Christ King, Lord, and Saviour of the world. No need to follow stars today or believe in astrology.
6. Herod, the crafty, deadly, suspicious and murderous king who could be threatened by a child born to be king. According to the historians, Herod who was half-Jews and half Idumaean was very subordinate to the Roman power and authority. He ruled over the Jews and Palestinians and ensured a peaceful coexistent among the warring factions. He was also a very generous man who built the temple in Jerusalem and fed the people in times of famine.
However, he was a power drunken individual with a bloodthirst for power, highly and insanely suspicious of everyone. He was known to have killed his wife Mariamne and her mother, Alexandra. His eldest son, Antipater, and two other sons, Alexander and Aristobulus, were all assassinated by him. Hence, one understood why a child born king will pose a murderous threat for him to go after innocent children. Concerning power and authority, most men and women are narcissistically abusive like Herold whether in political or religious circle.
7. The holy family of Mary and Joseph humbly received visitors who recounted to them the wonders and greatness of God about the tiny, vulnerable, innocent, and lovely and yet King-God child came into the world to live for men, and, in the end, to die for men. He came to give men his life and his death. Gold for a king, frankincense for a priest, myrrh for one who was to die–these were the gifts of the wise men, and, even at the cradle of Christ, they foretold that he was to be the true King, the perfect High Priest, and in the end the supreme Saviour of men.
The reactions of many to the birth of Christ especially that of the king Herold, the suspicious and murderous old man proofs the categorization of men into three groups in which men are always to be found regarding Jesus Christ. As well as their three reactions to Him.
A. There was the reaction of Herod, the reaction of hatred and hostility. Herod was afraid that this little child was going to interfere with his life, his place, his power, his influence, and therefore his first instinct was to destroy him. There are many of those who will gladly destroy Jesus Christ because he interferes with their lifestyle. This is because they prefer to live as they want. The true Christian life is to do only the will of God in Christ through the Holy Spirit.
B. The reaction of complete indifference to God manifestation by the chief priest, High priest, scribes, elders and people of Israel who long-awaited the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem. They were so engrossed in their Temple ritual and their legal discussions that they completely disregarded Jesus. He meant nothing to them. There are many of us which religion and religious rites and rituals mean personal aggrandizement rather than holistic transformation through Christ and the Holy Spirit.
C. There was the reaction of the wise men to God manifestation in their misdst and the reaction of adoring worship, the desire to lay at the feet of Jesus Christ the noblest gifts which they could bring. There are very few who risk all to do the will of God and to offer to Christ the best gift of their hearts, soul and life.
OUR PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, You are the revealed Messiah who was made known to us the Eternal King, the True High Priest and the Supreme Saviour to bring light and glory in the darkness of men´s life. Help us to worship and adore you and to offer to You the best of our hearts since we have no gold, frankincense and myrrh. Amen!
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