“Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews?...
Reflections on the readings for the Epiphany of the Lord (January 2, 2022): IS 60:1-6; PS 72:1-2,7-8,10-11,12-13; EPH 3:2-3,5-6; MT 2:1-12
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
We saw His star at its rising and have come to do Him homage.’” (Matthew 2:1-2)
The Epiphany is a holy day venerated throughout the world. Indeed, in many countries, the celebrations are even greater than those for Christmas. Now we focus on the coming of the Magi or Wise Men, who followed a star to find a baby whom they believed would become the King of the Jews. However, in the early centuries of the Church, this day also commemorated the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River and His first miracle when He turned water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana. These three occasions were manifestations of His authority and divinity for all to see. “O God, with Your judgment endow the king, and with Your justice, the king’s son; He shall govern Your people with justice and Your afflicted ones with Judgment. … All kings shall pay him homage, all nations shall serve him. For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save” (Psalm 72:1-2,11,12-13).
St. Bruno, a medieval Italian Dominican monk, spoke of the fabulous gifts that the Magi brought the Holy Infant and how all Christians can present Him with our own versions. He said: “We offer the Lord gold when we shine in His sight with the light of heavenly wisdom. We offer Him frankincense when we send up pure prayer before Him, and myrrh when, mortifying our … passions by self-control, we carry the cross behind Jesus.” We can worship Him with our own offerings that will always be treasured by our Redeemer if they are given in love. More than that, we need to remember that it is God -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- who is the only true gift-giver. Everything that is, everything we are or possess, comes from God. He longs for us to simply desire, love, and follow in Him. Then He will give us even more: eternity in His company.
Suggested missionary action: We can continue to rejoice in the hope and joy of the Christmas season as we look forward to the many ways we can serve our Lord in the New Year. We might even make a resolution to share His love with others every day in our attitudes, our words, our actions.
