EPIPHANY OF THE LORD: READ GOD THROUGH A RISING STAR.
January 5 2020: The Epiphany of the Lord - A
An Italian proverb says, “To him that watches, everything is
revealed.”
On this day, God reveals his only begotten Son to the Nations
by the guidance of a star. We are all brought to contemplate God’s splendid
glory and mercy and therefore, to set our faith in him.
The Epiphany of the Lord, to use a marketing language, is
the propaganda of the Christmas mystery. What had happened in the secret and
quiet night of Bethlehem is brought, under a star light, to the universal. Jesus
is revealed to all as the rising star that guides all people to God. He is the
light that shines in the darkness of this world and reveals God’s presence.
The Catechism, in a beautiful and clear introduction says, “The
Epiphany is the manifestation of Jesus as Messiah of Israel, Son of God and
Saviour of the world. the great feast of Epiphany celebrates the adoration of
Jesus by the wise men (magi) from the East, together with his baptism in the
Jordan and the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee. In the magi, representatives
of the neighbouring pagan religions, the Gospel sees the first-fruits of the
nations, who welcome the good news of salvation through the Incarnation. the
magi's coming to Jerusalem in order to pay homage to the king of the Jews shows
that they seek in Israel, in the messianic light of the star of David, the one
who will be king of the nations. Their coming means that pagans can discover Jesus
and worship him as Son of God and Saviour of the world only by turning towards
the Jews and receiving from them the messianic promise as contained in the Old
Testament. The Epiphany shows that "the full number of the nations"
now takes its "place in the family of the patriarchs", and acquires
Israelitica dignitas (is made "worthy of the heritage of Israel")”
(CCC 528). From that long introduction, few words to keep: In Jesus, Son of
Mary, God is today revealed to us and kings comes from afar to worship his
glory.
Today’s solemnity is actually filled with glory and songs of
bliss. Therefore, Isaiah, in the first reading, can tell us that the glory of
the Lord shines upon his Holy City. God has brought Jerusalem out from darkness
to a new light and clothed her with radiant splendor. Thus, her beauty is beheld
by all, her brightness seen all over. Jerusalem has become anew the dwelling of
God’s glory. People, will come toward her to praise and adore the Lord. The psalmist
answers to this vision of Isaiah with a song, “Lord, every nation on earth will
adore you.” Because, at the shining or the revelation of the Lord, all are
brought into one.
The revelation of the Lord is truly a pole of attraction. In
it, all barriers are broken and we are all brought into one people. Paul speaks
of that communion and unity in the second reading. In Jesus, he says, “it has
now been revealed… that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and
copartners in the promise.”
The scene of the Nativity, mostly the visit of the Magi to
the New Born is the sign of that universality of salvation. God is revealed to
all, and attract seers from the far end of the world to come and adore him in
this little infant.
Beyond the many meanings and teachings of the Epiphany, the
symbolism of the Magi’s gifts, the refusal of Herod to welcome that revelation,
and the many other things, the Epiphany has another deeper and more
personalized message for each one of us. It is a call to see the star and
follow it. We are urged to open ourselves to God’s continual self-revelation,
and like the Magi, follow the star.
Brethren, no matter what you go through as situation, no
matter where are you from, who are you and how far is your life from God… this
Epiphany is your time. God invites you to follow the star and come to his
encounter. Actually, everything in man’s life get a deeper meaning when one
sets a goal. The Goal of the Magi was to go at the encounter of the one whose birth
was revealed to them. And so, no matter the obstacles, the uncertainties of the
journey, the distance… they did not count all these. They just followed the
star. Even Herod was unable to refrain them of pursuing their quest. At the
end, great was their joy to come across the child. Filled with that joy, they
made him offering of their presents: gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and
worshiped him. God is still revealing himself today. Just follow the star.
Another lesson from the Epiphany comes from the words of the
Magi to Herod: “We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” We
live in a world where each one’s star rises at its time. But sadly, when people
see others’ star at its rising, instead of reading through it a manifestation
of God’s glory in the life of a fellow, we try to extinguish it, or stop it from
shining as Herod tried to do with Jesus. We hate that others’ star should shine
brighter than ours. Filled with the green eyes monster (jealousy), we plot against
others. The episode of the Magi teaches us that we should we able to praise God
and sing his glory in the little goods happening in other’s life. God always
manifest his glory in our world, let us grasp its signs and worship him through
our lives.
Comments
Post a Comment