Cycle C - Year I

6 January 2013: Solemnity of the Lord's Epiphany

(Liturgical color: White)

Matthew 2:1-12

The Lord's Epiphany: Salvation comes to all!

Did you miss receiving gifts last Christmas? Well, cheer up, because today, the Feast of the Epiphany or traditionally Three Kings, may be your last chance to receive gifts.

In the gospel narrative, the magi, or wise men, or three kings, looked for the infant Jesus guided by a bright star in order to pay him homage with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. So by tradition today is also the last day for sharing gifts to our loved ones.

"Epiphany" means manifestation or appearance of God in person like us through the humanity of Jesus. In the Lord's epiphany we see the plan of God to give his only Son as King and Savior not just for the Jewish people, who are God's chosen people in the Old Testament, but to all the nations as well. The wise men or magi were foreigners and non-Jews. Thus, the implication of today's feast is that the Lord Jesus comes so that both the Jews and the gentiles (or non-Jews) may find true and lasting peace with God.

The gifts of the magi have symbolical significance to the divine identity and mission of Jesus: gold symbolizes the kingship of Jesus; frankincense is the symbol of the divinity of Jesus; and myrrh symbolizes the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross that brought about the salvation of the whole humanity.

The Feast of the Epiphany should inspire us to reflect deeper into its significance to our practical Christian living:

- Because epiphany tells us that God became visible and audible for us in the person of Jesus, who is the human image of the invisible God;

- Because epiphany makes known to us the way to the Father through Jesus Christ. As Jesus himself declared:"I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6);

- Because epiphany reveals to us God's plan for all men and women to be saved, believing that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. For God's kingdom is intended for all people of all generations.

As we conclude the celebration of the Christmas season, we pray that the examples of the wise men or magi guide us in our spiritual journey in the new year. So that like the wise men, we too acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior and do him homage in the Holy Eucharist. So that like the magi we also open our gifts of pure heart, our self, and our whole life, and offer them to Jesus.

Because we know and believe that Jesus Christ himself is the greatest gift of God the Father to us, his beloved people.

Happy Feast of the Three Kings to all of us. And thank you for a moment with God.

Deo Optimo Maximo!

Cycle C - Year I

6 January 2013: Solemnity of the Lord's Epiphany

(Liturgical color: White)

Matthew 2:1-12

The Lord's Epiphany: Salvation comes to all!

Did you miss receiving gifts last Christmas? Well, cheer up, because today, the Feast of the Epiphany or traditionally Three Kings, may be your last chance to receive gifts.

In the gospel narrative, the magi, or wise men, or three kings, looked for the infant Jesus guided by a bright star in order to pay him homage with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. So by tradition today is also the last day for sharing gifts to our loved ones.

"Epiphany" means manifestation or appearance of God in person like us through the humanity of Jesus. In the Lord's epiphany we see the plan of God to give his only Son as King and Savior not just for the Jewish people, who are God's chosen people in the Old Testament, but to all the nations as well. The wise men or magi were foreigners and non-Jews. Thus, the implication of today's feast is that the Lord Jesus comes so that both the Jews and the gentiles (or non-Jews) may find true and lasting peace with God.

The gifts of the magi have symbolical significance to the divine identity and mission of Jesus: gold symbolizes the kingship of Jesus; frankincense is the symbol of the divinity of Jesus; and myrrh symbolizes the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross that brought about the salvation of the whole humanity.

The Feast of the Epiphany should inspire us to reflect deeper into its significance to our practical Christian living:

- Because epiphany tells us that God became visible and audible for us in the person of Jesus, who is the human image of the invisible God;

- Because epiphany makes known to us the way to the Father through Jesus Christ. As Jesus himself declared:"I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6);

- Because epiphany reveals to us God's plan for all men and women to be saved, believing that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. For God's kingdom is intended for all people of all generations.

As we conclude the celebration of the Christmas season, we pray that the examples of the wise men or magi guide us in our spiritual journey in the new year. So that like the wise men, we too acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior and do him homage in the Holy Eucharist. So that like the magi we also open our gifts of pure heart, our self, and our whole life, and offer them to Jesus.

Because we know and believe that Jesus Christ himself is the greatest gift of God the Father to us, his beloved people.

Happy Feast of the Three Kings to all of us. And thank you for a moment with God.

Deo Optimo Maximo!

Cycle C - Year I

6 January 2013: Solemnity of the Lord's Epiphany

(Liturgical color: White)

Matthew 2:1-12

The Lord's Epiphany: Salvation comes to all!

Did you miss receiving gifts last Christmas? Well, cheer up, because today, the Feast of the Epiphany or traditionally Three Kings, may be your last chance to receive gifts.

In the gospel narrative, the magi, or wise men, or three kings, looked for the infant Jesus guided by a bright star in order to pay him homage with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. So by tradition today is also the last day for sharing gifts to our loved ones.

"Epiphany" means manifestation or appearance of God in person like us through the humanity of Jesus. In the Lord's epiphany we see the plan of God to give his only Son as King and Savior not just for the Jewish people, who are God's chosen people in the Old Testament, but to all the nations as well. The wise men or magi were foreigners and non-Jews. Thus, the implication of today's feast is that the Lord Jesus comes so that both the Jews and the gentiles (or non-Jews) may find true and lasting peace with God.

The gifts of the magi have symbolical significance to the divine identity and mission of Jesus: gold symbolizes the kingship of Jesus; frankincense is the symbol of the divinity of Jesus; and myrrh symbolizes the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross that brought about the salvation of the whole humanity.

The Feast of the Epiphany should inspire us to reflect deeper into its significance to our practical Christian living:

- Because epiphany tells us that God became visible and audible for us in the person of Jesus, who is the human image of the invisible God;

- Because epiphany makes known to us the way to the Father through Jesus Christ. As Jesus himself declared:"I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6);

- Because epiphany reveals to us God's plan for all men and women to be saved, believing that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. For God's kingdom is intended for all people of all generations.

As we conclude the celebration of the Christmas season, we pray that the examples of the wise men or magi guide us in our spiritual journey in the new year. So that like the wise men, we too acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior and do him homage in the Holy Eucharist. So that like the magi we also open our gifts of pure heart, our self, and our whole life, and offer them to Jesus.

Because we know and believe that Jesus Christ himself is the greatest gift of God the Father to us, his beloved people.

Happy Feast of the Three Kings to all of us. And thank you for a moment with God.

Deo Optimo Maximo!

Cycle C - Year I

6 January 2013: Solemnity of the Lord's Epiphany

(Liturgical color: White)

Matthew 2:1-12

The Lord's Epiphany: Salvation comes to all!

Did you miss receiving gifts last Christmas? Well, cheer up, because today, the Feast of the Epiphany or traditionally Three Kings, may be your last chance to receive gifts.

In the gospel narrative, the magi, or wise men, or three kings, looked for the infant Jesus guided by a bright star in order to pay him homage with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. So by tradition today is also the last day for sharing gifts to our loved ones.

"Epiphany" means manifestation or appearance of God in person like us through the humanity of Jesus. In the Lord's epiphany we see the plan of God to give his only Son as King and Savior not just for the Jewish people, who are God's chosen people in the Old Testament, but to all the nations as well. The wise men or magi were foreigners and non-Jews. Thus, the implication of today's feast is that the Lord Jesus comes so that both the Jews and the gentiles (or non-Jews) may find true and lasting peace with God.

The gifts of the magi have symbolical significance to the divine identity and mission of Jesus: gold symbolizes the kingship of Jesus; frankincense is the symbol of the divinity of Jesus; and myrrh symbolizes the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross that brought about the salvation of the whole humanity.

The Feast of the Epiphany should inspire us to reflect deeper into its significance to our practical Christian living:

- Because epiphany tells us that God became visible and audible for us in the person of Jesus, who is the human image of the invisible God;

- Because epiphany makes known to us the way to the Father through Jesus Christ. As Jesus himself declared:"I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6);

- Because epiphany reveals to us God's plan for all men and women to be saved, believing that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. For God's kingdom is intended for all people of all generations.

As we conclude the celebration of the Christmas season, we pray that the examples of the wise men or magi guide us in our spiritual journey in the new year. So that like the wise men, we too acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior and do him homage in the Holy Eucharist. So that like the magi we also open our gifts of pure heart, our self, and our whole life, and offer them to Jesus.

Because we know and believe that Jesus Christ himself is the greatest gift of God the Father to us, his beloved people.

Happy Feast of the Three Kings to all of us. And thank you for a moment with God.

Deo Optimo Maximo!

Cycle C - Year I

6 January 2013: Solemnity of the Lord's Epiphany

(Liturgical color: White)

Matthew 2:1-12

The Lord's Epiphany: Salvation comes to all!

Did you miss receiving gifts last Christmas? Well, cheer up, because today, the Feast of the Epiphany or traditionally Three Kings, may be your last chance to receive gifts.

In the gospel narrative, the magi, or wise men, or three kings, looked for the infant Jesus guided by a bright star in order to pay him homage with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. So by tradition today is also the last day for sharing gifts to our loved ones.

"Epiphany" means manifestation or appearance of God in person like us through the humanity of Jesus. In the Lord's epiphany we see the plan of God to give his only Son as King and Savior not just for the Jewish people, who are God's chosen people in the Old Testament, but to all the nations as well. The wise men or magi were foreigners and non-Jews. Thus, the implication of today's feast is that the Lord Jesus comes so that both the Jews and the gentiles (or non-Jews) may find true and lasting peace with God.

The gifts of the magi have symbolical significance to the divine identity and mission of Jesus: gold symbolizes the kingship of Jesus; frankincense is the symbol of the divinity of Jesus; and myrrh symbolizes the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross that brought about the salvation of the whole humanity.

The Feast of the Epiphany should inspire us to reflect deeper into its significance to our practical Christian living:

- Because epiphany tells us that God became visible and audible for us in the person of Jesus, who is the human image of the invisible God;

- Because epiphany makes known to us the way to the Father through Jesus Christ. As Jesus himself declared:"I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6);

- Because epiphany reveals to us God's plan for all men and women to be saved, believing that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. For God's kingdom is intended for all people of all generations.

As we conclude the celebration of the Christmas season, we pray that the examples of the wise men or magi guide us in our spiritual journey in the new year. So that like the wise men, we too acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior and do him homage in the Holy Eucharist. So that like the magi we also open our gifts of pure heart, our self, and our whole life, and offer them to Jesus.

Because we know and believe that Jesus Christ himself is the greatest gift of God the Father to us, his beloved people.

Happy Feast of the Three Kings to all of us. And thank you for a moment with God.

Deo Optimo Maximo!

Sharing the Word

01 January 2013: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

(Liturgical color: White)

Luke 2:16-21

New Year: a new journey with Mary, Mother of God!

It is with great joy that I greet all my internet friends a Happy and Prosperous New Year 2013!

New Year fills our heart with new hopes, inspiring us to reach out for new opportunities, and celebrating the gift of life. But some people also look forward to the new year for a new start on old habits. That is our choice.

The Catholic Church opens the new year by proclaiming Mary as the Mother of God. It was the Council of Ephesus which affirmed in June 431 that our Blessed Mother can rightfully be called Mother of God.

The title of Mary, Mother of God does not mean that Mary is the source of Jesus' divinity. This doctrine is sufficiently explained by competent Church theologians, which you may want to read further. As a student of Philosophy, I believe in this doctrine based on this logical syllogism: if Mary is the mother of Jesus, and if Jesus is God, then Mary is the Mother of God. And of course, as a true Catholic I believe in all the teachings of my Church, which rightfully proclaims Mary, Mother of God.

We honor Mary, Mother of God for her courage and selfishness, her faith and her devotion. As Jesus' mother, she too must have felt afraid at certain moments in her maternal role, like when the child Jesus was lost and found in the temple after three days, and certainly during the agony and death of the grown-up Jesus, but Mary's complete trust in God made her accept the role of a mother to God the Son.

In Luke's gospel for today, the poor shepherds who were the first witnesses of the birth of the Messiah, went in haste to Bethlehem after receiving the Good News from the angel. There they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant Jesus lying in a manger just as what the angel told them. Again in humility and complete obedience to God's will, "Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart."

It is right that we start our spiritual journey in the new year under the loving guidance and protection of Mary, Mother of God, and our mother too. As our mother, "let us entrust to her our hopes and fears, our joys and sorrows as we begin the New Year." Because "mothers are almost always the first to touch our lives."

In Mary we find a perfect model of being christian and disciple of Jesus. Because she was the joy-filled mother of the new born Christ; she was the mother of sorrow cradling her dead Son in the "Pieta"; and she is the Queen-Mother standing at the right hand of the Glorified Lord, which we proclaim in the Fifth Glorious Mystery of the Rosary.

Let us begin our new journey in the Year 2013 with this prayer to Mary, Mother of God:

O Blessed Virgin,
pray to God for us always,
that He may pardon and give us grace;
pray to God for us always,
that He may grant us peace in this life;
pray to God for us always,
that He may reward us with paradise at our death.
Amen.

A Blessed and Prosperous New Year 2013 all. Thank you for a moment with God.

Deo Optimo Maximo