The Epiphany of the Lord

 

Ignorance of God is darkness.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, the Epiphany of the Lord, Sunday 7th January, 2024
Texts: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-2,7-8,10-13; Ephesians 3:2-3.5-6; Matthew 2:1-12 

Today we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. Epiphany means manifestation or revelation. The Epiphany of the Lord is the manifestation of the Lord to the world. Prophet Isaiah prophesied about Epiphany of the Lord to the Gentiles. He says, “For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the  Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” His prophecy does not tell us how the Epiphany will happen but affirms some truths.  

The prophecy is about Jesus Christ, for it says the people shall come with gold and frankincense to worship the Lord. We read, “They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the  Lord.” The wise men, in today’s gospel reading, came with gold, frankincense and myrrh to worship Jesus Christ. The gold for King, frankincense for priest, and myrrh for mortal.
Prophet Isaiah reveals that we live in darkness if we do not know God. This is clear as he describes the Gentiles as people who live in darkness. Ignorance of God is darkness. 

The Lord God will be their light

The true light is God, for he says, “the  Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.” This is not light that comes from objects but from God. St. John tells us about this light in the book of revelation: “And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever” (22:5). St. John tells us in his gospel that the light is Christ: “In him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it” (1:4-5). 

It is the plan of God to reveal Himself to the Gentiles, to banish their darkness. The Epiphany is,  therefore, God’s extension of hands of fellowship to the Gentiles, to everyone who lives in darkness. St. Paul, in today’s second reading, affirms that God continues this revelation through us. He says, “I assume that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation”.  

The Epiphany makes the Gentiles fellow heirs

St. Paul also tells us about the grace of the Epiphany of the Lord. The Epiphany makes the Gentiles fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ  Jesus. Prophet Isaiah affirms it thus: “Lift up your eyes round about, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far, and your daughters shall be carried in the arms.”  

Prophet Isaiah also emphasises that the fellowship of the Gentiles will bring joy and riches. In his words, “Then you shall see and be radiant, your heart shall thrill and rejoice; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.”  

Today’s gospel reading tells us how the Epiphany to the Gentiles occurred. God manifested Himself to the Gentiles through stars. We read, “Now when  Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him.’" St. Paul, in today’s second reading, affirms that God reveals Himself to the Gentiles through the Gospel. God continues to manifest Himself to us through the Gospel.  

Prayer 

O God, who on this day revealed your Only Begotten Son to the nations by the guidance of a star, grant in your mercy, that we, who know you already by faith, may be brought to behold the beauty of your sublime glory. Amen (Collect)    

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke