Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

Liturgy of the Word:  

Is. 60:1-6; 

Ps. 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13; 

Eph. 3:2-3, 5-6; 

Mt. 2:1-12.

Today, funds from Mass collections will be sent to Rome for the African Missions (Pro Negritis).

Some Notes on the Epiphany of the Lord:

The word Epiphany, “epiphaneia” in Greek, means manifestation or apparition. An alternative term is “Theophaneia,” Theophany, a manifestation of divinity. The Epiphany is sometimes called “Three Kings Day” (Ps. 72:10,15 and Is. 60:6 led to the interpretation of the Magi as kings). Tradition gives us their names: Gaspar, Melchor and Baltazar.

The feast originated in the Eastern Church to commemorate three manifestations: the visit of the Magi, the Baptism of Jesus, and the miracle at the Cana wedding. It was celebrated on various dates. As time went on, the manifestation to the Magi began to develop in the West as a 6 January celebration. But the Epiphany has become a movable date and is now celebrated in the Philippines, as in the United States, on the first Sunday after 1 January. On the Sunday after Epiphany, the Christmas season ends. Ordinary Time begins the following Monday. 

1st Reading, Is. 60:1-6. The Dawning of Divine Glory. “Arise! Shine, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you. Though darkness covers the earth,... upon you the Lord will dawn, and over you his glory will be seen. Nations shall walk by your light, kings by the radiance of your dawning” (vv. 1-3). Your sons and daughters come to you. “Then you shall see and be radiant, your heart shall throb and overflow... and the wealth of nations will come to you” (vv. 4-6). 

In our Liturgy, the prophecy of Isaiah refers to the dawn of divine glory in Christ that has been revealed to the world.

Resp. Ps. 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13. “O God, give... your justice to the king’s son” (Solomon, son of David), “that he may govern your people, your oppressed with justice” (vv. 1-2). That prosperity may flourish, that he might rule to the ends of the earth (vv. 7-8). May the kings of Tarshish (the far west), Sheba and Midian (the far south) pay him tribute and offer gifts. May all kings bow before him and all nations serve him (vv. 10-11). For he shows pity and rescues the poor and the oppressed and saves their lives (vv. 12-13). A prophetic allusion to the visit of the Magi to the King of Kings, who has preferential love of the poor. 

2nd Reading, Eph. 3:2-3, 5-6. Writing from prison, Paul talks of having received the grace to be a steward of God’s grace, made known to him by revelation (vv. 1-3). The grace was likewise made known to “the body of apostles and prophets by the Spirit.” The grace is this, “that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, co-partners win the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel” (vv. 4-6). 

Gospel, Mt. 2:1-12. The Visit of the Magi. Let us summarily recall the familiar story.

* the birth of Jesus during the reign of King Herod from 37 to 4 AD;

* the arrival of Magi from the East (vv. 1-2):

* the trauma of Herod when the Magi asked him where the new king of the Jews was born (vv. 3-6);

* the star leading the Magi to the house of Jesus (vv. 7-8); 

* their prostration and homage to Jesus and their gifts (vv. 9-11);

* their departure by another way (v. 12).

The Magi’s gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh signify Kingship, Divinity and the Sacrificial 

Death of Jesus, respectively. 

Early Church historians like Eusebius and Epiphanius say the Magi arrived two years after Jesus’s birth. However, it would have taken the magi about three months to travel from their country (possibly Persia or Babylon) to Jerusalem after they saw the star. This would reveal that Jesus was between three months to two years of age when the Magi visited him. Hence, they did not see the Child in the manger as our “belens” mistakenly depict.

Like the Magi, let us celebrate Epiphany by giving our own gift to Jesus, the gift of our love for Him. Such love has to be activated by deeds of service for the poor and needy, for those who have little or nothing to give. Let us be Magi, to God and to others. 

Prayer — O God, on this day you revealed your Only Begotten Son to the nations by the guidance of a star. Grant in your mercy that we, who know you already by faith, may be brought to behold the beauty of your sublime glory, through Christ your Son and our Lord. Amen.