Epiphany of the Lord

Feast of the Epiphany of our Lord – Year C

January 6, 2013

First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

Responsorial Psalm: 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13

Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6

Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:1-12

We, today and forever, are the co-heirs with, or members of the same family, and sharers of the promise made through our Lord Jesus Christ, preached in the gospel.  As what St. Paul said to the Ephesians, in the second reading, “God’s secret plan was revealed unknown to men in former ages but now revealed by the Holy Spirit to the prophets and to the apostles”(3:5).  This secret plan was hidden since time immemorial and later it was revealed during the times of Prophets Micah and Isaiah, and afterwards to Mary and Joseph and to his the holy apostles.  This secret is this: “. . . that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (Eph.3:6).

How lucky we are and in truth we are indeed fortunate for God has chosen us to become His co-heirs of His Son (tagapag-mana), members of His family for He is our Father and we are His children, and sharers of His Reign-Kingdom, due to His mercy and goodness to us.  This was not known to others because they became stubborn of mind and heart, hard of body and soul.  Now, this hidden secret plan of God became known to us through the power of the Holy Spirit (cf. Eph.3:2-6), and through our Lord Jesus Christ who made us his own, for him, through him and in him, and the fullness of life comes from him.

For Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of man, is the Bright Rising Star (Talang Maliwanang) who will guide us and illumine our way of life and our world, despite there is “darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples” (Isaiah 60:2).  In the time of Micah and during Isaiah’s period, they saw, as it was revealed to them by God, the coming of this Light: “But upon you the Lord shines and over you appears his glory.  Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance” (Isaiah 60:2-3).  When the Light comes, he will bring shining glory to Jerusalem, the City of God, and His glory will be shower on us, too.  Nevertheless, we have to expect darkness and thick clouds that will blockade and obstruct our life and our world.  Yet, it cannot suppress its coming and this Light will permeate and infuse, and pass through the dark thick clouds; and, be overpowered by His glory.  His reign will cover all – lands, nations, peoples, and all kingdoms will come to Him.  “They all gather and come to you . . . for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you; dromedaries from Midian and Ephah, all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense” (Isaiah 60:4-6).

In his birth, wise men and women and their companions were traveling guided by the bright rising star, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage” (Matthew 2:2).  And the same, as we expected, the dark thick clouds cover the sky so that people in Jerusalem could not see the Light.  See what happened to all chief priests and scribes, and king, they were “greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born” (Mt. 2:3-4).  They have to consult the Book of the Prophet Micah about the birth of the new king and ruler of Israel.  (See First Reading of the 4^th Sunday of Advent).  Besides, this dark thick cloud, which is given a name – King Herod, made confusion and misleading to the people of Israel, that is why they did not see the rising star, except those afar from his rule and from a faraway countries of the East - from Midian (the modern-day Iran and Iraq), Ephah (Saudi Arabia), and Sheba (Yemen).  We called them wise men, three kings (because of the number of gifts), or astrologers (seers, clairvoyants), or magi, and unknown women and their companions. 

When they left the palace of King Herod, the sky that was shielded by dark thick clouds became clear again and the star appeared once more to them and guided them until they found the new born King of Israel.  “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” (Mt.2:9).  When they found the child Jesus, they experienced unexplainable joy and happiness; they were full of rejoicing and praising.  This was the same experienced in Isaiah: “All proclaiming the praises of the Lord” (Isaiah 60:6).   And in Matthew: “They were overjoyed at seeing the star” (2:10).  When they reached the house, (no more in the cave or in a manger), “and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother” (Mt.2:11).  Most probably, Jesus was no longer an infant; he may be one or two years old already.  We may say that the expedition of the wise men and companions took them one to two years journey to reach Jerusalem.  And also, King Herod killed all new born boys and children in Jerusalem aged one to two years old.  “. . . They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then, they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt.2:11; see also Isaiah 60:6).  These gifts they brought from their countries are fitted for the king, priest and prophet.  We also received these three gifts during our Baptism.

These wise men (and women and companions) were most probably astrologers (i.e., seers, clairvoyants, mystics) and/or astronomers (starwatchers) who can read the movements of the stars, planets, comets, meteors, etc. in the sky.  They were symbolizing also of different classes of peoples, who have their own beliefs, cultures, religions, knowledge and wisdom, and all; and yet, despite of many differences they became one and united in their pursuit, one in journey, one place of destination, with one purpose and reached in one convergence – to see the Light that is shining, the Bright Shining Star (Talang Maliwanag) rising – “the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory” (Isaiah 60:2).  The same Light that guided these wise people will guide us also in our ways and will point the right direction, in order to pass through the dark thick clouds, and to reach our one common goal.  This Light, this rising star seen from the Far East will deliver us also as He delivered from dangers and harm, even death, these wise people.  “And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way” (Mt.2:12).  Also, we, as children of the Light from God, we must not be overcome by the shadow of death and “darkness covers the earth and thick clouds cover the peoples” (Isaiah 60:2).  Rather, drive them away; do not be like the chief priests and scribes, and King Herod who were not able to see the rising star, the Light of the newborn King and ruler of Israel, that will shepherd them, Jesus Christ the Son of God and the Son of man – of Mary and Joseph.  And, they were needed to be told by the wise men and women from the Far East – Midian, Ephah and Sheba, to inform them of this wonderful news – this day God becomes man for us all humankind, and become His coheirs, members and sharers of His promise.

We, today, are the living witnesses, coheirs, members and sharers of this good news.  On our part, we have to bring this Light, this newborn King, born in Bethlehem, Judea, whose star is rising and seen from the Far East, whose name pronounced by the Archangel Gabriel, Jesus, the Son of Mary and Joseph, to all peoples, nations, to different lands, with joy and gladness.  Despite we came from different nations, countries, races, languages, colors, cultures, mentalities, background, tribes, etc., yet we are also these “nations walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance.  Raise your eyes and look about;” we as “they all gather and come to you: Your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses” (Isaiah 60:3-4).  In spite of differences, we have one, common goal, united in one journey, and reaching one convergence – that is, to offer the best gifts, “come bearing gold and frankincense, [and myrrh]” (Isaiah 60:6; Mt. 2:11), as our signs of worship and acknowledging the newborn King as our ruler and shepherd of our lives by “proclaiming the praises of the Lord” (Isaiah 60:6).  “Lord, every nation on earth will adore you” (Psalm 72:11), in us.

Question(s) for Reflection:

1.  What is the significance or purpose or reason of the Epiphany (that is, manifestation, appearance) of the Lord to humanity?  Why is the Star in Bethlehem shown upon the wise men and women and companions from the Far East?

2.  Why the Child Jesus’s birth made known far and wide despite the silence and secret of His conception and birth?  Only Mary and Joseph, and Elizabeth knew through the Archangel Gabriel’s announcement the coming of the Son of God – to be called Jesus; then, why is it the wise men and women and companions, or magi and kings knew also the birth of the new king in Bethlehem?

3.  Do you believe that you are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through this good news?  How would you preserve these against the darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples?