EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD.
Summary of ideas of today’s Mass readings.
Today’s Gospel (Mt 2:1–12) reveals us, through the star that guided the Wise Men of the Orient to Christ, that salvation is not only for the Jews but also for the whole world.
- The fact that these learned men from the Orient set out to meet Christ denotes that not only the Jews, but also the Gentiles, will benefit from the Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who has come to save His people from their sins.
- The universality of the salvific plan of God is also underlined in the 2nd reading (Eph 3:2–3a, 5–6):
“It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”
The Wise Men followed the star, -which symbolizes the light of faith-, till they arrived at Christ:
“And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
- And as we read in the Gospel passage above, their faith is not merely theoretical but rather manifested by their works: they prostrated themselves and adored the Child, they offered him homage with their gifts.
- Hence, in the adoration of the Magi the prophecy of Isaiah in the 1st reading (Is 60:1–6 ) is fulfilled:
“Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance.”
May we also have the resolve to follow the star of faith with perseverance and patience, our faith which brings us to Jesus, accepting and living the entirety of the teachings of Christ through the One True Church, He founded, -the Catholic Church-, to continue His work of salvation till the end of times. Let us bring to all the world the light of Christ, who saves us, announcing his Gospel.
HAPPY EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD, HAPPY THREE KINGS!
Fr. Rolly Arjonillo.
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