Shikrot Mpwi – Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk
Epiphany of the Lord – January 7, 2024
Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Responsorial Psalm PS 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13; Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Gospel Matthew 2:1-12.
Theme: Celebrating Christ, Our Star!
Introduction
Friends in Christ, today we celebrate the Epiphany otherwise known as the manifestation of Jesus to the world. On this day, the Church celebrates a miniature Christmas because the Magi – Melchior (Europe), Caspar (Asia) and Balthasar (Africa) represent humanity in following the star of Bethlehem. This is not only to identify the Lord but present Him gifts and worship Him as Lord.
The word Epiphany comes from the Greek Epiphania which denotes the visit of God to earth. The celebration reveals Christ as the Son of God. Most importantly, it unites three events in the life of Christ – the adoration of the Magi, the baptism of Christ in the Jordan and the first miracle of Jesus at the wedding feast of Cana in Galilee. Epiphany prepares the faithful for the second coming of Christ in glory.
Background & Summary of the Readings
The first reading (Isaiah 60:1-6) discloses how everyone in Sheba would offer gold and incense to God while singing His praises – A clear testimony that the nations and kings have come to the light of the world.
The second reading (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6) talks about the revelation of God’s mystery which the solemnity of Epiphany tries to unravel and celebrate. It makes it abundantly clear that that mystery has indeed been revealed by spirit which is why Gentiles can also make claim to God’s inheritance that they are part of the same body and same promise through Christ.
The gospel (Matthew 2:1-12) fulfils the prophecy of old as it tells how the Magi were led by the star of Bethlehem to where the saviour is born. It also reveals how the Magi tricked Herod and took another route after they had seen the baby Jesus and his parents and offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. Their mystic gifts would go down in history as artifacts (sacramentals) of faith: Gold signifies His kingship, myrrh stands for His death, and frankincense signifies His priesthood.
Pastoral Lessons
1. Involve God: Since Epiphany denotes the visit of God to the earth, and the divine wedding of Christ with humanity which shows that great things happen when God mixes with us, we are encouraged to involve God in everything we do.
2. Claim God’s Promise: Because this celebration points to the mystery that is revealed by spirit, Gentiles are emboldened to lay claims to God’s inheritance and our eternal destiny.
3. Spread the Christian Faith: On this day, Christ is revealed to the three kings at Bethlehem as a symbol of His revelation to the Gentiles – an indication of the call to all nations to embrace the Christian faith and spread same.
4. Be Cleansed: Because “this day the Church is joined to her heavenly Spouse, for Christ has cleansed her crimes in the Jordan,” we are urged to be cleansed through the sacrament of confession.
5. Be wedded to Christ: Just as “with gifts the Magi hastened to the royal nuptials, and the guests are gladdened with wine made from water,” we are urged to be wedded Christ in piety and pray for peace in the world.
Conclusion
The Church urges us to bow down and adore the Lord while offering Him our total loyalty. In his 2018 homily for Epiphany, Pope Francis calls us to: “…Imitate the Magi: looking upwards, setting out, and freely offering our gifts.” He stressed that we must emulate three actions of the Magi – seeing, setting out and bringing gifts to the Lord. As such, we must learn to see the star, set out and offer our gifts to God now and always as we proclaim Christ as the light of the nations. Happy celebration!
