3 January 2016: Solemnity of the Lord's Epiphany
(Liturgical color: White)
Gospel: Read Matthew 2:1-12
The Lord's Epiphany: salvation is for all!
For busy people time flies so fast indeed. So now we realize that Christmas 2015 is now just part of our human experience. And now it's time to welcome the New Year 2016 with much hope and enthusiasm and to enjoy the wonderful gift of living.
If you missed receiving gifts last Christmas, the Feast of the Lord's Epiphany, or traditionally known as the Feast of the Three Kings, may be your last chance to receive gifts from dear someone. So make your wish upon the star.
The Gospel narrative from Matthew is about the journey of the Three Kings (or Magi, or Wise Men)
Let us understand the meaning and significance of the Solemnity of the Lord's Epiphany.
The word "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 nations as well. Because the Three Kings, or Wise Men, or Magi were foreigners and so non-Jews. Thus, the implication of today's feast is that the Lord Jesus comes to both Jews and Gentiles (or non-Jews), including our present generation of followers of Christ, so that all may find true and lasting peace with God.
Also, the gifts of the Three Kings have their own symbolic significance to the divine identity and the mission of our Lord Jesus. Thus, gold has great value and symbolizes the kingship of Jesus. Frankincense is a perfume and the symbol of the divinity of Jesus. And myrrh is an anointing oil commonly used in Jesus' time, which symbolizes the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross that brought about the salvation of the whole of humanity. These gifts to the newborn Savior speak of their respect for our Lord's divine identity and the realism about His death at the hands of humanity.
What is the relevance of the Feast of the Lord's Epiphany to our lives today? Let us consider the following reflections:
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. So that even to our generation we experience God living among us and within us in the sacramental present in the Holy Eucharist.
Epiphany makes known to us the way to the Father through Jesus Christ. Our Lord leads the path in our journey in this present life to our heavenly home. Jesus Himself declares: "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me." (Jn 14:6)
Epiphany makes known to us God's plan for all men and women to be saved from the fall of our first parents Adam and Eve, by believing that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Because God's kingdom is meant for all people of all generations.
In sum, as we conclude our celebration of the Christmas season, we pray that the examples of the Three Kings, Magi, or Wise Men, be our guide in our own spiritual pilgrimage through the New Year 2016. For like the Three Kings, we too acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior and do Him homage. And like the Three Kings, we also open our gifts to the infant Jesus, our gifts of unwavering faith amidst the temptation of "religion by convenience" in our present generation, and so commit our undivided loyalty and faithfulness to Christ's teaching through His Church.
In the Holy Eucharist, let us pray that the Lord's epiphany or revelation of Himself on this Feast shine forth on everyone so that the grace of salvation may be shared by all.
Happy Three Kings to all, and thank you for a moment with God.
Ad Jesum per Mariam!
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