IN UNITED STATES CELEBRATED ON SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS JANUARY 2-8
RISE UP IN SPLENDOR, JERUSALEM YOUR LIGHT HAS COME
THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHINES UPON YOU.
ISAIAH 60:1
Star of wonder, star of light Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding Guide us to Thy perfect light
Guide us to Thy perfect light
BACKGROUND
The Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ is one of the oldest Christian feasts. Throughout the centuries, it has celebrated a variety of things. The Greek word Epiphany (επιφάνεια), means appearance or manifestation. It describes Jesus’ first appearance to the Gentiles. Like many of the ancient Christian feasts, Epiphany was first celebrated in the East.
The feast of the Epiphany in the East celebrated four different events, the Nativity of Christ; the visitation of the Wise Men, the Baptism of the Lord; and Christ’s first miracle, at the wedding in Cana. Each of these events are a theophany or revelation of God to man.
At the Nativity, the angels bear witness to Christ. At the visitation of the Magi, Christ’s divinity is revealed to the Gentiles—the other nations of the earth. At Christ’s Baptism, the Holy Spirit descends and the voice of God the Father is heard, declaring that Jesus is His Son. At the wedding in Cana, the miracle reveals Christ’s divinity;
Eventually, the celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany was separated out in the West, into separate feasts of Christmas, Epiphany, Baptism of Jesus, and Marriage feast at Cana.
In 1991 the United States Bishops reduced the number of non-Sunday Holy Days to six. One of those Holy Days, the Epiphany, was transferred to the Sunday between January 2 and January 8.
COMMENTARY
“Arise! Shine, for your light has come, the glory of the LORD has dawned upon you. Though darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds, the peoples. upon you the LORD will dawn, and over you his glory will be seen. Isaiah 60:1-6
Today’s Old Testament reading in the liturgy of the Mass, Isaiah 60:1-6, is chosen partly because it mentions non-Jews bringing gifts in homage to the God of Israel. The passage also celebrates the Divine Light emanating from Jerusalem and foresees all the nations acknowledging and enjoying that Light and walking by it.
The Magi were most likely a caste of Persian priests who served Kings using their skills in interpreting dreams and watching movements of stars. Stars were believed to be signs from God, announcing important events. .
“…and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage… they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” Matthew 2:11
COME LET US ADORE HIM, CHRIST THE LORD!
Gold was a gift for Kings; frankincense was offered to God in Temple worship. Myrrh was used by the High Priest as an anointing oil. Exodus 30:23. It was also the Jewish custom of anointing, preparing a dead body for burial, a foreshadowing Jesus’ death and burial.
REFLECTION
What Mary and Joseph must have thought with all this attention! Some came in worship, some hunted their son in hatred and some like today, were indifferent.
There are those who seek God, find God, and serve Him, (Mary and Joseph), and those who seek God but haven’t found Him yet (the Magi). Which am I? Or am I indifferent?
“Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Isaiah 9:2Do I seek the Light? Do I radiate that light to the rest of the world?
Are my eyes open to the many Epiphanies in my own life? Do I look each day for His manifestation? How does God manifest Himself to me today?
I think about the guidance of the Holy Spirit, leading the wise man back another route. Do I call on the Holy Spirit for GPS assistance as I make my way home to the Father?
Let us walk in the LIGHT, radiating Jesus’ love by selfless service, unconditional forgiveness and compassionate care