(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)
Solemnity of the Lord's Epiphany (C), January 6, 2013
Liturgical readings
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72
Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6
Matthew 2:1-12
"On entering the house, they found the child with Mary his mother."
It is only in the gospel of Matthew that we find the story of men from the East, who traveled to Judea, to learn the whereabouts of a newly born "king of the Jews". These men are named differently in various bible translations: as astrologers, wise men, Magi, or men from the East who studied the stars. Since the birth of Jesus was preannounced as a prophecy even outside of Judea, these men from the East also knew about that prophecy. Thus, when they saw the star that announced the birth, they traveled to Judea to follow that star at its rising. Once at Judea and as soon as they reached the area where the star pointed to, they were overjoyed as they arrived and entered the house where the child was. After a moment of adoration, each one opened their coffers and presented the child Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
As we depart from these gospel reading and search for messages in Catholic spirituality along the continuum of Christian centuries, St. Peter Chrysologus (bishop of the 5th century A.D.) has this to say about the Epiphany:
"Today the Magi find the one they have followed as he shone in the sky...the Magi see clearly, in swaddling clothes, the one they have long awaited; as he lay hidden among the stars...the Magi look in deep wonder at what they see: heaven on earth, earth in heaven, man in God, God in man, one whom the whole universe cannot contain now enclosed in a tiny body. As they look, they believe and do not question, as their symbolic gifts bear witness: incense for God, gold for a King, myrrh for one who is to die...so the Gentiles, who were the last, become the first: the faith of the Magi is the first fruits of the belief of the Gentiles."
Jesus is our God, our King and our Redeemer. His humility as a newborn child, being one like us except for sin, leads us to discover a God who is in solidarity with the frailness of all humanity. The mission and ministry of Jesus to the sick, the poor and those in bondage to sin, reveals to all a King who serves everyone in His Kingdom. And His death on the Cross presents to the faithful a Redeemer, who sealed a covenant in His blood, to save mankind from sin. And His death, which appeared meaningless at first, brings everyone now to life everlasting. The Lord Jesus manifested Himself as God, King and Redeemer, not only for His own people, but to all - as the visit and faith of the Magi attest. He is not only the hope of Israel, but the hope of all humanity and creation.
