The Epiphany of the Lord

 

The Gospel is also a source of revelation.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, The Epiphany of the Lord, Year C, January 5th, 2025
Texts: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-2,7-8,10-13; Ephesians 3:2-3.5-6; Matthew 2:1-12

We celebrate, today, the Epiphany of the Lord, which means the showing forth or revelation of the Lord. Such event which we call epiphany of the Lord are many in Scripture: Bringing of the news of Christ’s birth to the shepherds, the changing of water to wine, the transfiguration of the Lord, and the appearance of Christ’s star to the Magi. 

Today’s celebration is about the revelation of the Lord to the Gentiles. This is clear in the second reading. St. Paul 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, ... that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ  Jesus through the Gospel”. The Gospel is also a source of revelation. 

Gentiles are those who do not acknowledge God; they only acknowledge gods, the idols. They live in darkness because they do not know God; not to know God is to live in darkness. It is in this state that Christ, the Lord of stars, appeared to them. Hence, today’s first reading 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.” 

The star reflects the glory of Christ. This reminds us of the psalm, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world” (19:1-4). Heaven and earth and everything in them reflect the glory of Christ. 

The gifts of the Magi give us the understanding of the Lord’s revelation to the Gentiles. They gave him gold which means Christ revealed Himself to them as the Lord, King. The gift of frankincense means Christ shows Himself to them as God. The gift of myrrh means He revealed Himself to them as a mortal being, human. The Magi acknowledged Jesus Christ as the Lord,  God and man. 

 
The revelation of Jesus Christ to the Magi is to us all; it is who He is to everyone. Jesus Christ is our Lord, God and brother. Being our Lord we owe Him obedience and we are to subject ourselves to His law. Being our God we owe Him our life, He is the owner and sustainer of our life. He is our creator. He knows all things, He is Almighty, infinitely good, ever-present, the life, the truth, etc. 

Jesus Christ is our brother because He is human like us. Being our brother His death becomes our death and therefore freed us from the power of death (Heb. 2:14-18). Being human He is subject to weakness and is able to sympathise with us in our weakness (Heb. 4:15). He is able to deal gently with us because He is our brother. He also reflects to us the glory of God (John 1:14). We also conquer sin in Him (Rom. 8:3). 

In conclusion, the Epiphany of the Lord teaches us that our ways of life should be gifts to God, revealing who He is to the world. The glory of the Lord rise upon us when our life shows who He is to the world. Hence, Isaiah, in today’s first reading, challenges us thus: “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the  Lord has risen upon you.” 

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  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke