The Epiphany Of The Lord

Is 60.1-6;  
Eph 3.2-3, 5-6;  
Mt 2.1-12

JESUS CHRIST IS THE LORD AND KING, PAY HOMAGE TO HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND MIND

The Nativity of Jesus took place in Bethlehem. The Incarnation-The Word of God became flesh, laid in a manger dwells among us. Today’s Solemnity of Epiphany turns this Christmas intimacy inside out.  Above the stable at Bethlehem shone a bright star in the heavens.  The local shepherds marveled at the star, but its brightness also attracted the attention of three stargazers in a far-off land. These foreigners have already set off for the Holy Land, inspired to make a long and difficult journey across the desert because they believe something of cosmic importance is happening that they must see for themselves, and because “the sight of the star filled them with delight”. These Wise Men from the East were the first pagans to grasp this revelation.

The Wise Men, journeying from the east, are the first to respond to this revelation.  The first reading from the prophet Isaiah draws our attention to the Holy City’s new and wider appeal.  Even centuries before Christ’s birth, he foretells that “the nations will come to your light, and kings to your dawning brightness.”  He expects camels and dromedaries to make their way to Jerusalem and gifts of gold and incense to be brought.   The psalm response set for today, says, “All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.”  The gospel today describes how “going into the house they saw the child with His mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage.”  The homage is not merely about the things we give to God but myself as a gift to God and his Church. Doing everything in the love of God and loving one’s neighbor in the sincerity of heart. Whatever we render to him, a loving heart to him is what God loves.

Looking back, as we do today, over two Christian millennia, we can see the truth of these prophecies most wonderfully shown in the life of the Church.  The glory of the Catholic Church is that it extends throughout the world.  Wherever we might travel to we shall never be far from a Catholic Church where the Holy Sacrifice is being offered regularly, and there we can worship God in spirit and truth.

It was revealed to The Magi to go through another road. When we depart from Mass Lord goes with us showing to us other avenues and ways through which we can serve him and announce that Christ is for everyone in every generation. It is the vocation of every Catholic therefore to be a missionary, a sign of revelation to people around them, a witness to Christ in season and out of season. Thus, today’s feast lifts our hearts to God and widens our horizons to see afresh how wonderful the Catholic Church is in its universal presence in the world.

Fr Joseph Osho