Today, January 7, 2024, is the observance of Epiphany in the Catholic Church. This day is recognized as falling on January 6. Epiphany comes from Greek origin, meaning “revelation from above.” In 567, the Council of Tours set Christmas and Epiphany as special days in the Church on the dates of December 25 and January 6, respectively, and the 12 days in between became the Christmas season. In the Church, Christmas is celebrated more than one day. As mentioned, it is a season lasting nearly two weeks.
So, all the readings today have an interconnected theme or idea running through them. The day is a time when Jesus is revealed to the world to be the Son of God, who will become the savior of the world. At this time, Jesus is being revealed to Israel and the nations as referenced in the first reading. Through these readings, we discover the Gentiles will come to know the God of Israel.
Today we recognize Jesus is the Son of God and how that revelation came about on the day of his birth. This revelation came to the magi on their visit to the baby Jesus. The day also recognizes this epiphany at Jesus’ baptism at the Jordan River as well as the miracle at the wedding in Cana (turning water into wine).
First I will dive in to the gospel reading for today. The idea of the revelation about Jesus is reflected in the other readings today. The gospel is the account of the magi visiting the Christ child. It is from Matthew, Chapter 2. The magi first go to King Herod and inquire about the newborn Jesus. The magi recite, more of paraphrase a passage from the prophet Micah, because Matthew’s passage also references another passage from Samuel:
“And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, since from you shall come a ruler, who it to shepherd my people Israel.” (Matthew 2:6, NAB)
This passage also goes back to King David, since Jesus was born from the line of David. 2 Samuel says, “…you shall shepherd my people Israel…” (2 Samuel 5:2, NAB)
Upon arriving, the magi offer gifts for the baby Jesus. The gifts of the magi – gold, because Jesus will be King; frankincense, because he will be a high priest; and myrrh is for the prophetic nature of Jesus being the Lamb of God – says they realized he was a newborn king and were prepared with the gifts they offered. Jesus is the sacrificial lamb for the redemption of the world. Jesus (God) not only reveals himself but he manifests himself to the nations. This is represented by the magi that come to visit. They made the choice to follow the star, bring gifts and pay the new king homage.
In the first reading from the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah proclaims that a light will come to Zion to bless the people. Darkness has come over the people through paganism, idolatry and such. Jesus will be the light. This should give us faith and hope in what God is doing for the chosen people, and for us now. Verse six states, “Caravans of camels shall cover you, dromedaries of Midian and Ephah, all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and heralding the praises of the lord.” (Isaiah 60:6, NAB) This is in reference to the magi.
The psalm is from Psalm 72, and is a beautiful hymn of praise to the king of Israel, asking for the king to rule with justice and fairness. During this time, people were known to intercede for the king, offering prayers and praises because the king is human, giving only what he has received from God. The people realize God is worthy to be praised and offers the same for the king of Israel to rule with goodness on its people.
“O God, give your judgement to the king; your justice to the king’s son; that he may govern your people with justice, your oppressed with right judgment. … May the kings of Tarshish and the islands bring tribute, the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. May all kings bow before him, all nations serve him.” (Psalm 72:2, 10-11, NAB)
The second reading from the New Testament today illustrates further God revealing himself to the Gentiles (the world). In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he writes the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God to his apostles is written in the gospel. Paul states even the Gentiles are “coheirs, members of the same body…” (Ephesians 3:6, NAB) It is Paul’s point, at the beginning of the letter, everyone who believes and follows the gospel is a son or daughter of God:
“…if, as I suppose, you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit, (namely, that) the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly earlier. … which was not made known to human beings in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” (Ephesians 3: 2-3a, 5-6, NAB)
How has God manifested himself to you? How do you respond with such a revelation? Take time today to reflect on this epiphany of Jesus as the Son of God, and always take time for God to give him his rightful honor and praise.
A Writer's Voice 