SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY

Isaiah 60,1-6
Psalm 71
Ephesians 3: 2-3. 5-6
Matthew 2:1-12

God Has Manifested Himself To Us

We celebrate today the Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ. The word “epiphany” means manifestation, revelation or showing forth. Through a star, God revealed the birth of his Son to the magi in the east. God became man for the salvation of all. Therefore, he manifests himself to all.

There is no stranger in God’s plan of salvation. He leaves no one out. He adapts himself to our human condition. To the world, he reveals himself by the cry of a baby. To the shepherds, he revealed himself in a manger. To the magi, through a star. To the pagans of St Paul’s time, he revealed his love through the proclamation of the Gospel (Eph. 3:2-3.5-6). To us too, He manifests himself in various ways, especially in the daily events of our life and in the celebration of the Eucharist.

What makes the difference is our response to him. Our response must be to accept Jesus as our Star, the Light that enlightens all men. When we accept him, we must also radiate the light of Christ to the world. We must rise and shine, as the first reading exhorts us (Is. 60,1-6). Rising and shining are characteristics of the sun, which gives light, life and warmth to all. We are therefore called to shine in the world, covered by the darkness of sin, wickedness, selfishness, injustice, corruption, violence, hatred, unforgiveness, etc. May the Lord help us to become little stars that lead people to Christ.
Amen.

SOLEMNITY OF EPIPHANY

Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 71
Ephesians 3:2-3.5-6
Matthew 2:1-12

THE MANIFESTATION OF GOD

We celebrate today the Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ. The word “epiphany” means manifestation, revelation or showing forth. Through a star, God revealed the birth of his Son to the magi in the east. God became man for the salvation of all. Therefore, he manifests himself to all.

There is no stranger in God’s plan of salvation. He leaves no one out. To the shepherds, he revealed himself in a manger. To the pagans of St Paul’s time, he revealed his love through the proclamation of the Gospel (Eph. 3:2-3.5-6). To us too, He manifests himself in various ways, especially in the events of our life and in the celebration of the Eucharist. God adapts himself to the concrete  conditions of each one of us.

When the wise men saw the star, they left their country and followed it until they found the infant Jesus. When King Herod received the news through the magi, he was perturbed and wanted to kill the new born king so as to secure his reign (Matt. 2:1-12). No matter what our intentions are, God will reveal himself to us anyway.

What makes the difference is our response to him. Our response must be to accept Jesus as our Star, the Light that enlightens our life. When we accept him, we become little candles that radiate the light of Christ to the world. We must therefore rise and shine, as the first reading commands us (Is. 60,1-6). Rising and shining are characteristic of the sun, which gives light, life and warmth to all. We are therefore called to shine in the world, covered by the darkness of sin, wickedness, selfishness, injustice, corruption, violence, hatred, unforgiveness, etc.
May we be "epiphany" wherever we find ourselves.

Amen.

34TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST, THE UNIVERSAL KING

Ezekiel 34:11-12.15-17; 

Psalm 23: 1-3, 5-6

1Corinthians 15:20-26.28; 

Matthew 25: 31-46

We celebrate today, the Kingship of Christ, Jesus. Through his death and Resurrection, he overcame sin and death, thus establishing his kingship over all. Everything is therefore subjected to him. He is the centre of our human history and is leading us into the kingdom of God the Father (1Cor. 15:20-26.28).

But what kind of king is Jesus Christ? According to the first and gospel readings, Jesus Christ is the Shepherd and the Judge. In the first reading, God proclaims that he is the True Shepherd of Israel. As a shepherd, he knows us; he feeds us, protects and cares for us. If such is our Lord and King, then there is nothing we shall want (Ps. 23).

As the Judge, Jesus Christ will sit on his throne of glory to judge the nations at the end of time.  He will separate the sheep from the goats, thus fulfilling the word of God as announced in the first reading. The “sheep”, in our parable today, represent the righteous, the blessed, those for whom the kingdom of heaven has been prepared. The “goats” represent the cursed, those for whom the eternal punishment is reserved.

At the judgment of the King, both the sheep and the goats were surprised. For the sheep, in being sensitive and coming to the aid of the needy and sufferers, they never knew they were welcoming and caring for Jesus himself. On the other hand, out of negligence, insensitivity and carelessness of the goats, they failed to serve Jesus in the least of men and women (Matt. 25:31-46).

This tells us how the King of the universe will judge us at the end our lives: how sensitive have you been to the miseries and needs of others, especially the needy, the marginalized and those suffering.

May the King of kings help us to recognize him in the least of our brothers and sisters so that we may share in his Kingdom.

Amen