Feast of the Epiphany
By Fr. Chinnappan Pelavendran
Today is the Feast of Epiphany. Christ our light has come into the world and dispels the darkness. The Epiphany occurred when the magi came to honor the Christ Child. The gifts they brought were rare and expensive. They brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts had a spiritual meaning: gold was a symbol of Kingship on the earth, frankincense or incense was a symbol of priesthood, and myrrh the embalming oil was a symbol of death. These gifts point to the future of Jesus.
Today’s first reading talks about non–Jews bringing gifts to honor the God of Israel. The prophet was consoling the people in exile. He wanted them to know that they would be redeemed and restored, and be able to live a new life in their own land. The Messiah would soon rise among his people and his glory would be seen by all. They were God’s chosen people and it was prophesied that the Jewish nation would be the light of the world. The prophecy of Isaiah tells the people that Jesus Christ is God’s anointed one. He is the Messiah and the Savior of the world. In His Church, the New Jerusalem is made up of Jews and Gentiles.
In today’s second reading, St. Paul reveals that God’s plan includes the Jews and the Gentiles. To God, we are all equally important, Jews and Gentiles. There are no second-class members in the Church among Christian believers. St. Paul declares that he has been commissioned by Christ to make this known to the world.
Today Gospel tells us the Magi followed the star that led them to the Child Jesus. The star must have been very bright to allow them to follow it. To them, the light of the star was a symbol of hope, joy, and of peace. Christ enriches those who bring him their hearts.
The Magi came with humble joy in their hearts to visit the Christ Child. Traditionally we are told they were Melchior, Balthazar, and Caspar. God has revealed himself in many different ways. The Bible is full of many examples. The magi were in search of the divine, and their joy was immense when they found Jesus. They followed the star and they encountered God. That tells us that we too have to search for God in our lives. We too should be a light in the world.
Let us be an example to others by actively worshiping Jesus at Mass, by giving a new direction to our lives, let us choose a better way of life. Let us become stars, leading others to Jesus. Let us remove the darkness of any evil around us by radiating the light of Jesus’ love.
Like the Magi, let us offer Jesus our gifts on this feast of the Epiphany and every day. We can offer the gift of our lives during the Holy Mass and every morning as soon as we get up. The gift of a relationship with God, by talking to him in prayer and listing to him through reading the Holy Bible daily. The gift of friendship with God by recognizing Jesus’ presence in everyone we encounter and getting reconciled to God every night, asking for his pardon and forgiveness for our sins and failures during the day.
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