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Epiphany!

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(Solemnity) Epiphany of the Lord Matthew 2:1-12

 

“O wise men from afar, O kings, where are you going in such haste? O wise men from afar, anger persecutes the child."

Jesus came to bring light to our darkened world. Today's feast of the Epiphany celebrates the unveiling of this light to the Gentiles. Our scene is set during the reign of Herod, who had been appointed king by the Roman Senate in 40 BC. He was a tyrannical despot with a penchant for parricide (he murdered his wife, three sons, uncle and mother-in-law), but his taste for bloodshed, as we shall see, extended beyond his family circle. The Magi, who may have been astrologers from Persia or southern Arabia, followed a star (some scholars suggest it was the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn). In feigning to be interested in the birth of the Messiah, Herod revealed his duplicity and cunning. In fact, his heart was bent on extinguishing the light of the world. The Magi, on the other hand, were bent on worshipping the light of the world.

St Pope John Paul II saw in the Magi's journey in search of a king a parallel to the human journey: “Whatever the age, culture, civilisation or nation, people are aways searching for God. Like the wise men, they glimpse him through the eyes of faith, then set forth in faith in the desire to draw closer to him in whom they believe and come to him in the eternal Bethlehem. However, if they have not found him through faith, in looking for the truth they seek this faith, and so seek God.”  St Augustine said, I would not have sought you, if I had not already found you. Before starting to seek God, each of us has in fact found him, and rooted in this starting point we enter ever more deeply into the mystery of God- Christ in us the hope of glory.

As we celebrate the beginning of this new year, we unite our hearts to the vision of the Church and proclaim the light of Christ to the world. We play a vital role in making Christ known – his love, mercy and compassion overwhelm the coldness and extinguish the darkness in our hearts.

Lord Jesus, on this most holy feast I proclaim that you are the light of the world. I dedicate my life to being a city on a hilltop and a lamp to radiate your life and light.

Chris

from Bible Alive

 

Isaiah 60:1-6 • Psalm 71(72):1-2, 7-13 • Ephesians 3:2-6 • Matthew 2:1-12

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