Epiphany of the Lord Solemnity
Also Read: Mass Readings for 07 January 2024 Mass Reading Reflection for 07 January 2024
Gospel: Matthew 2: 1-12
Today we celebrate the Epiphany of Our Lord. Jesus is manifested as the Messiah. The manifestation was completed by the visit of the magi from the east.
Jesus was revealed to many as the promised Messiah and as the Son of God. Some accepted him while others rejected him. To different people, He was manifested in different ways.
Elizabeth and her yet-unborn child were the first ones to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. How it was revealed to them is a mystery. Jesus was still an unborn child, and yet Elizabeth called him “My Lord!” (Lk 1:43).
The shepherds of Bethlehem recognized the baby Jesus because it was told to them by the angels. They received him with owe. They considered themselves to be fortunate to witness the salvation promised.
Simeon, the grand old man in the temple, recognized Messiah in Jesus carried by a poor couple because he was “Moved by the Holy Spirit” (Lk 2: 27). Similarly, Anna the old widow who devoted herself to prayer and fasting also recognized Messiah in the tiny baby held by Mary and her husband Joseph.
The Magi from the East recognized the birth of the Messiah because they were observing the changes in nature. The appearance of a new star revealed to them the birth of an unusual king. They went in search of him risking their lives and properties.
King Herod was told of the birth of the Messiah by the visiting magi. He saw a challenge and made plans to execute the Messiah. It prompted him to kill several innocent children. The Messiah brought forth the devil in him.
King Herod told the chief priests and the scribes of Jerusalem about the birth of the Messiah. They interpreted the scriptures well and concluded that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. None of them bothered to verify it personally by going to Bethlehem; they, rather went home for some good rest.
The Messiah is manifested to each differently. Not all the messengers were angels. Even the enemies of the Messiah were instrumental in proclaiming the good news. It was Herod who announced the birth of Christ to the chief priests and the scribes! God has His own way of communicating His messages. If we are not careful enough, we run the risk of aligning against the Messiah as King Herod did. His end is in no way desirable.
The chief priests and the scribes were insensitive to the manifestation of the Messiah. After all the years of studying, teaching, and interpreting the scriptures they just went blank at the news of the birth of the Messiah. They happily returned to their comforts after interpreting the scriptures. The scriptures did not matter to them. Train ourselves not to repeat their insensitivity to the Word of God manifested in different ways.
The Word of God continues to manifest himself in our daily lives. Let us be curious like the shepherds, sensitive like the magi, and trusting like Mary and Joseph.
Amen!
