The Epiphany of the Lord - Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3a,5-6; Mt 2:1-12

01-07-2024Weekly ReflectionThe Faithful Disciple

GROW: It’s interesting how an event can be interpreted by different people. God’s revelation of himself in the birth of the child Jesus is clearly one such event. The Magi, Gentiles from the east, had heard of this “newborn king of the Jews” and undertook a long and arduous journey to see him and offer him homage. They were edified and eager in their search. Herod, himself a king – of the Jews – did not have the same reaction. The very thought of this “newborn king” threatened him, and filled him with rage and suspicion. In this moment in human history, the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles (i.e., the Epiphany) unveils the truth of God’s redemptive work for all of creation to be reconciled to himself. This truth has been accepted and rejected throughout time, and our celebration of this feast gives us an opportunity to give thanks in a focused and particular way for our acceptance of it – to give thanks for the gift of our faith. Perhaps it is even a moment for us to have our own, colloquial epiphany: an “aha moment,” where we once again truly understand the depth of God’s love for us.

GO: The Magi, the Gentiles from the east, were changed after their encounter with the Christ Child; they were warned not to return to Herod and they obeyed and took a different route home. In today’s second reading, St. Paul says it has been revealed that Gentiles are “coheirs, members of the same body” – the body of Christ. Just as the magi were forever changed by their journey, so must we be. Their journey is a model for us, but we do not have to seek Christ in the world as they did; he is here with us, in Word and in the Eucharist. The Incarnation of Jesus is pure gift to our weary, troubled world. As we heard in Isaiah, “rise up! … [our] light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon [us].” As the Magi followed the light of the star, let us rise to the occasion and respond to God’s light in our world by recognizing the good gifts God gives us each day. And then thank him for his enduring presence in our lives.

PRAY

Lord God of heaven and earth,
you revealed your only-begotten Son to every nation
by the guidance of a star …
Fill us with the light of Christ,
that our concern for others may reflect your love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
(from USCCB Epiphany prayer for blessing of home)