THE MANIFESTATION OF THE UNIVERSAL SALVATION OF CHRIST WITHOUT EXCLUSION OF ANYONE
The Solemnity of the Epiphany is the manifestation of the universal salvation of Christ to the whole wide world. Fundamentally, the Epiphany demonstrates to us that God is a God inclusion. God does not exclude anyone or anything from his saving grace and mercy.
The revelatory manifestation of God came to us through the birth of an infant Child, Jesus Chris and the visit of the Magi from the Far East.
Christian tradition has ever seen in the Magi, the first fruits of the Gentiles. The Magi visit was the awakening moment of a new dawn. The dawn of salvation for Israel and all the peoples of the earth. It is the dawn of new and divine governance of God. Hence, Epiphany is an affirmation of universal salvation.
THE ETYMOLOGY OF EPIPHANY
The Greek word Epiphany (επιφάνεια), means appearance or manifestation. Epiphany is about the multiple revelations or manifestations of Jesus as God. That is the Epiphany in different conjugations such as: “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 in the person of Jesus Christ. It commemorates principally (but not solely) the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child, and thus Jesus physical manifestation to the Gentiles world.
THE HISTORY OF THE FEAST OF EPIPHANY
The feast of the Epiphany was kept in the Eastern and some Western Churches before being observed in Rome. It seems to have been originally a feast of the nativity. The Eastern churches observed January as Christmas Day. It is December 25, as celebrated in the Roman Church.
The Feast of Epiphany was introduced in Rome in the second half of the sixth century. It became the complement and, so to say, the crown of the Christmas festival.
The actual day for celebrating the Solemnity of Epiphany is January 6 traditionally. Though, it is one of the moveable liturgical celebrations. It could be celebrated on a Sunday before or after the 6th if that is not a Sunday. It is actually a movable feast within the liturgical calendar of the Church.
EPIPHANY IS THE THEOPHANY OF DAILY MANIFESTATION OF GOD IN OUR LIVES
God manifests 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.
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.
Today as the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Epiphany. What we are actually celebrating is the coming of the Lord. The divine ruler with kingship, government and power over all the world. With these words, the Church proclaims that the feast is a perfect fulfilment of all the purposes of Advent. The celebration of Epiphany marks the liturgical zenith of the Advent-Christmas season.
OUR THEME
The readings of this feast of the Epiphany present us the theophany of God in the person of Jesus Christ. They focus on the brightness of the glory or light of God shining to dispel the darkness of sin and ungodliness.
The young Messiah: Jesus Christ is revealed as the light of the nations. God is for all people and nations without racial, cultural or ethnic distinction or discrimination. He who visits and 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. In this way, there is also a universal call to follow the star of grace, seek and offer 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 visit of Magi 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 will recognize the Messianic presence of God in Christ and come to him with their gifts and adorations.
The psalmist in Psalm 147 invites us to Praise the Lord in Jerusalem. As peace is established on earth for all people and nations
SECOND READING: EPHESIANS 3:2-3, 5-6
In his letter to the Church or Christians of Ephesus, St Paul explains the universal implication of the Epiphany of Jesus Christ. The Messianic secret hidden for many ages is now revealed to all. In Christ Jesus through the work and action of the Holy Spirit.
In other words, Christ is here to save all people without racial distinction. Henceforth, through grace, Gentiles share the same heritage, blessings and privileges as 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, ethnic, social, political and religious barrier can be broken.
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 2:1-12
Today of Matthew is the fulfilment of the first reading of the prophecy of Isaiah. The visit of Magi shows the light of Christ for all the nations.
The Gospel presents us the three reactions of men to Jesus, the light of God who came to illuminate all nations and people.
THE REACTION OF HUMANITY TO CHRIST
1. The reaction of Herod was full of hatred and hostility as he was afraid that this little child was going to interfere with his life. He saw him as a threat to his place, power, and influence. Therefore, his first instinct was to seek and destroy him.
For many of us, the light of Christ imposes a threat that sparks rejection and hostility like Herod. In fact, some will gladly destroy Jesus Christ because he interferes with their lifestyle. They prefer to live as they want Without the rule of God. The Christian life is to do only the will of God in Christ through the Holy Spirit.
2. The reaction of the chief priests and scribes was one of complete indifference. Such a significant birth that could make the wise men travel far in search of Christ meant nothing to them. They were so engrossed in their Temple ritual and legal discussions that they completely disregarded Jesus.
Today, the tragedy is that many Christians are driven by selfishness and personal interest or ambition. That Christ and his kingdom do not matter at all.
The fact is there are many of us in which religion and religious rites and rituals mean personal aggrandizement rather than holistic transformation through Christ and the Holy Spirit.
3. The reaction of the wise men– foreigners and pagans. They left everything that mattered to them and travelled a long, hectic and dangerous road to encounter Christ.
They were guided by the light of grace and followed the star to the place of Christ birth to adore and worship. They desired to lay at the feet of Jesus Christ the noblest gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. These gifts recognized and affirmed Christ as the King of Jews.
There are very few who risk all to do the will of God and to offer Christ the best gift of their hearts, soul and life.
What are our gifts to the presence of Christ in our midst? How is our faith journey towards Christ? Did it involve leaving everything to search for Christ?
BIBLICAL AND TRADITIONAL HISTORICAL IMAGES OF THE MAGI
There is a lot to learn about the personalities and imageries in the gospel text.
First, 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 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 truth.
(i) Tradition has the names of the Magi are: 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, 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.
SYMBOLIC MEANING OF THE GIFTS OF THE MAGI
Second, the gifts are very symbolic of Christ identity and his mission on earth. Gold is the gift for a king, and frankincense is a gift for a priest. While myrrh is the gift for one who is to die.
That is, these costly gifts have allegorical meanings imbued in them. Gold signifies or honours the kingship of Jesus, incense his divinity, myrrh his sacred humanity that was to experience death and burial.
Third, in those ancient days, all men believed in astrological signs. They have this belief that the future could be foretold from the stars. That is, the destiny of man 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. 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. There is no need to follow stars or believe in astrology today. We have Christ, the Bright Morning Star that leads us to God.
THE DILEMMA OF POWER: JESUS AND HEROD
Fourth, Herod was a powerful, crafty, deadly, suspicious and murderous king. He was threatened by a child born to be king. It is somehow unimaginable how the innocent, vulnerable and dependent baby could impose a threat to the political power of Herod.
According to the historians, Herod was half-Jews, and half Idumaean was very subordinate to Roman power and authority. He ruled over the Jews and Palestinians and ensured a peaceful coexistent among the warring factions. Herod 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 bloodthirsty lust for power. He was highly insane and suspicious of everyone especially, those perceived as posing a threat to his power.
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 assassinated by Herod. It is clear why the birth of a child born king will pose a threat to him. As well as provoke a wave of murderous anger in him to go after innocent children. Concerning power and authority, most men and women are not only insatiable but brutal with them. They are abusive like Herod, whether in a political or religious setting.
THE LESSONS FROM THE GOSPEL OF TODAY
In the world of picking, choosing and dropping off what we do or do not like. The world of racial, social and cultural discrimination against certain individuals or groups. Faith in a universal Saviour is much needed.
Equally, in a world full of power-drunk local kings like Herod are ready to use ALL for selfish interests and eliminate all perceived threats. The image of an infant king will help us to see power. That is not something to be grasped by all means but as service to others.
OUR PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, You are the revealed Messiah who was made known to us. You are the Eternal King, the True High Priest and the Supreme Saviour to bring light and glory into the dark life of men. Help us to worship, adore and to offer to You the best of our hearts since we have no gold, frankincense or myrrh. Amen!
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