IN CHRIST: GOD IS FOR ALL!
The Feast of Epiphany means that in Christ Jesus, God is for all people and nations without exclusion. The Greek word Epiphany (επιφάνεια), means appearance or manifestation. In theological terms, Epiphany means the appearance or manifestation of Christ to the world after his birth.
Indeed, God is not just manifested to a small group of people called Israel. With the visit of the Magi, he is being revealed to all the people of earth and nations. This manifestation of God, Himself to us in so many ways. It is called a theophany. At the fullness of time, the revelation of his only Begotten Son: Jesus Christ was its climax.
EPIPHANY MEANS MANIFESTATION OF THE LORD ALL
However, there is a modern-day epiphany daily in our lives and around us.
(a) There is a daily manifestation of God in the people we meet and our family and community gatherings.
(b) He manifests Himself also in nature, in the events and experiences of our lives.
(c) More so, He manifests Himself to us in the sacraments, in His Word, and the great and little things of life.
(d) Today, God can speak through us and our actions. People can see the light of Christ through us by the way we live and witness his presence among us.
Sadly, many of us are not aware of these manifestations of God, in, around, and through us.
OUR THEME
In this Feast, God in Christ Jesus takes centre stage in human history. He is all in all. The central theme of today’s celebration is that God is for all.
It focuses on the coming of Jesus, his acceptance by the pagan nations (Magi) and rejection by his people (Herod and the uneventful and indifferent nation of Israel).
It is the feast of the whole mystery of faith encapsulated in the person of Christ, the born infant God, King, Priest and Sacrifice.
The Christian life is a search for God that ends with a profound encounter, worship, and offerings of gifts and self to God.
There is also a theme of the joy of the encounter with Christ – that brings out the best in us: self, gifts, time, talents, energy, giving and sharing.
FIRST READING: ISAIAH 60:1-6
The prophecy of Isaiah 60:1-6 was not just a fulfilment of the gospel but a manifestation of God: Immanuel to all people, races, nations, and individuals. The appearance of Christ brought salvation, glory, and light of God to all men and women.
In those days, the Messiah will reveal his glory to all the nations of the earth and all shall see the glory of God.
The adoration of the Magi fulfils the oracle of Isaiah (first reading), prophesying that the nations of the world would travel to the Holy City following a brilliant light and would bring gold and incense to contribute to the worship of God.
SECOND READING: EPHESIANS 3:2-3, 5-6
In the Letter to the Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6, St Paul emphasizes plainly that the grace and mystery of God were hidden for centuries. That is now revealed to humankind: Jews and Pagans alike in Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
Paul’s letter to the Church of Ephesus, therefore, expresses God’s secret plan in clear terms: “The Gentiles are…co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.”
In other words, Christ is here to save all people, without racial distinction of race and colour.
THE GOSPEL: MATTHEW 2:1-12
The Magi’s visit shows the light of Christ for all the nations. Today’s Gospel reminds us that if God permitted the Magi – foreigners and pagans – to recognize and give Jesus proper respect as the King of Jews, we should know that there is nothing in our sinful lives that will keep God from bringing us to Jesus.
TODAY’S GOSPEL PRESENTS US WITH THREE REACTIONS OF MAN TO JESUS AND GOD
1. Herod´s reaction of hatred and hostility. He was afraid that this little child was going to interfere with his life, his place, his power, and his influence, and therefore his first instinct was to destroy or eliminate the Child Jesus.
2. The reaction of the chief priests and scribes was complete indifference. Such a significant birth meant nothing to them. They were so engrossed in their Temple ritual and their legal discussions that they completely disregarded or ignored the Child Jesus.
3. The reaction of the wise men– foreigners and pagans – they left everything that mattered to them and followed the star to the place of Christ’s birth to adore and worship Him. And with the desire to lay at the feet of Jesus Christ the noblest gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh which they could bring to recognize as the King of Jews.
THE MAGI FROM EAST: WHO ARE THEY?
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 sciences like astrology. They were soothsayers and interpreters of dreams at their best they were good and holy men, who sought truth.
(i) Tradition has the names of the Magi 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. The gift that signifies or honours the kingship of Jesus.
(iii) Caspar was young, beardless, and ruddy in countenance, and he brought the gift of frankincense. The gift for priesthood and divinity of Christ, as the eternal High Priest of God.
(iv) Balthasar was swarthy, with the beard newly grown upon him, and it was he who brought the gift of myrrh. Myrrh is the gift for one who is to die. It represents the sacred humanity of Christ, who was to experience death and burial.
The brilliant star that appeared and led the Magi to Christ is the star of grace. The unmerited gift of God disposes to accompany all seekers of the truth to the Eternal Truth and Light, Jesus Christ King, Lord, and Saviour of the world. Today, there is no need to follow stars or believe in astrology. We have Christ, the Bright Morning Star that leads us to God.
THE BIG LESSON TODAY IS THAT IN CHRIST JESUS THERE IS ONLY INCLUSIVITY WITH NO EXCLUSIVITY.
FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS
1. Do you limit Christ or God from the reach of others who are not like you?
2. What is the amount or limitation of your acceptance of Christ and gospel messages? How open are you to Christ: his truth, light, and lifestyle?
3. What sacrifice have you made for following Christ?
4. What have you given up for Christ? What gift can you offer to God?
5. Whenever the idea of some accepting or rejecting Jesus comes up the fundamental challenge is how am I responding to Him?
6. Who do I kneel before in terms of worship? Do I have a sense of awe and wonder before God Christ in my daily encounter with Him in prayer?
7. What values or worth do I place on the gift I offer to God? In the effort to give or share self, time, energy, and resources do I think God merits the best of me?
OUR PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, revealed Lord and God of glory and majesty, in the world of picking, choosing, and dropping what we like and don’t like, of discriminating against specific individuals or groups, or in a world full of power-drunk local kings like Herod ready to use ALL for selfish interests and to eliminate all perceived threats. Help me to see power as service in humidity, but, above all, to offer myself as a living gift of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh to the Infant King revealed to ALL today. Amen
