SUNDAY, SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
Is 60: 1-6; Ps 72: 1-2, 7-13; Eph 3: 2-3, 5-6; Mt 2: 1-12
EPIPHANY: GOD REVEALED
The Feast of the Epiphany is a profound celebration in our Church, a moment of revelation and joy that commemorates God’s love made visible to all nations. “Epiphany” means “revelation,” and on this day, we celebrate the moment God revealed His Son, Jesus Christ, to the world beyond Israel’s borders. The story of the wise men, or Magi, who travelled from distant lands to find and honour the newborn King, illustrates that Jesus came not only for the Jewish people but for all of humanity.
Today’s first reading from Isaiah offers a prophecy spoken nearly seven hundred years before Christ’s birth. The people of Israel, having returned from exile, were weary from captivity yet were given hope for a future bright with God’s light. This prophecy foretold that Jerusalem would be a beacon for all nations, for through the Messiah, God’s glory would shine upon them. In Jesus, this promise is fulfilled, for He becomes the light of the world, guiding all people toward unity with God.
In the second reading, Saint Paul, reveals a “mystery” that had been hidden from previous generations but is now made known through Christ. This mystery is that God’s promise of salvation extends to all people, Jews and Gentiles alike. Through Jesus, each person is welcomed into God’s family as a beloved child and heir. Paul sees himself as a custodian of this grace, entrusted with sharing this message of inclusion with others, especially those who may feel excluded or unworthy of God’s love. This truth—that all are loved by God—reminds us that His grace transcends every barrier we create and that each person is our brother or sister in Christ.
The Gospel reading brings us to the heart of the Epiphany story. The wise men—possibly astrologers or scholars from the East—witnessed a unique star in the sky and followed it with faith and wonder. When they arrived and found Jesus, they offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, each with deep meaning. Gold represented Jesus’ kingship, frankincense His divinity, and myrrh His sacrifice. These gifts illustrate the fullness of who Jesus is: our King, our God, and our Savior. Their journey shows us that faith often calls us to go beyond the familiar and open ourselves to God’s mystery.
In celebrating Epiphany, we are also called to become like that star which guided the wise men. In a world often divided by differences and darkened by suffering, we are asked to be bearers of light, guiding others toward God’s love and peace. Just as the star led the wise men to Christ, our own lives can serve as signs of hope for those who may feel distant from God. This feast also speaks powerfully to our modern world’s need for unity and compassion. We see places of darkness around us, places and people affected by violence, poverty, and despair. Regions such as Israel, Palestine, and Manipur have experienced deep conflict, shattering the lives of many and leaving families and communities in need of peace and healing. Today’s readings call us to be symbols of God’s love and mercy for others, especially for those living in uncertainty. As followers of Christ, we are invited to bring His peace where there is discord, becoming signs of His presence and hope for a world that so deeply needs it.
Epiphany also reminds us that there are no strangers to God. Regardless of nationality, race, or background, each person is beloved to God and a part of His family. This truth urges us to break down walls of prejudice and division and to see our shared humanity. In Epiphany, we glimpse a vision of the world united in God’s love, a world where each person honours the dignity of the other. Today, we are reminded of our own journey toward God. As the wise men followed the star with faith and perseverance, we are called to seek Christ in our lives and allow His light to guide us. As we draw near to Him, we become more like that star, reflecting His love to others. May we, like the wise men, offer our gifts to Jesus and be instruments of His peace and grace.
Response: All nations on earth shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.
Copyright ©2024 ©Springs of Living Water http://springs.carmelmedia.in