Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

January 6, 2019.

Epiphany of the Lord

Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Responsorial Psalm PS 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13; 

Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Gospel Matthew 2:1-12.

Theme: Celebrating Christ, Our Star!

Introduction

Friends in Christ, today we celebrate the Epiphany otherwise known as the manifestation of Jesus to the world. On this day, the Church celebrates a miniature Christmas because the Magi represent humanity in following the star of Bethlehem to not only identify the Lord but present Him gifts and worship Him as Lord.

The word Epiphany comes from the Greek Epiphania, which denotes the visit of God to earth. The celebration reveals Christ as the Son of God. Most importantly, it unites three events in the life of Christ namely the adoration of the Magi, the baptism of Christ in the Jordan and the first miracle of Jesus at the wedding feast of Cana in Galilee. As it were, the Epiphany prepares the faithful for the second coming of Christ in glory. 

Background & Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Isaiah 60:1-6) from the prophet Isaiah discloses how everyone in Sheba would offer gold and incense to God while singing His praises - A clear testimony that the nations and kings have come to the light of the world. As it were, the reading is a forecast of how the Magi would be led by the star of Bethlehem to where the saviour is born. Interestingly, the prophecy of old takes flesh in the gospel (Matthew 2:1-12).

Aside from the exciting revelation of the Magi in the gospel, the reading tells us how sensible the wise men were in not returning to Herod who wanted to eliminate the child Jesus. Accordingly, they went through another way leaving Herod with his wicked plans on-hatched. Notably too, the Magi were thrilled at the star which guided them to the manger. Their mystic gifts would go down in history as artifacts (sacramentals) of faith: Gold signifies His kingship, myrrh stands for His death and frankincense signifies His priesthood.

In the second reading (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6), talks about the revelation of God’s mystery which the solemnity of Epiphany tries to unravel and celebrate. It makes it abundantly clear that that mystery has indeed been revealed by spirit which is why Gentiles can also make claim to God’s inheritance that they are part of the same body and same promise through Christ.  

Pastoral Lessons

1. Celebration of God as Man: Epiphany denotes the visit of God to the earth, the divine wedding of Christ with humanity and the fact that great things happen when God mixes with men – “This day the Church is joined to her heavenly Spouse, for Christ has cleansed her crimes in the Jordan. With gifts the Magi hasten to the royal nuptials, and the guests are gladdened with wine made from water.”

2. Celebration of God as King: On this day, Christ is revealed to the three kings at Bethlehem as a symbol of His revelation to the Gentiles – an indication of the call to all nations to embrace the Christian faith and spread same. 

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

The Octave Day of Christmas: Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 

the Mother of God – January 1, 2019.

Readings: Numbers 6:22-27; Responsorial Psalm PS 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8(R.v.2a); 

Galatians 4:4-7 & Gospel Luke 2:16-21.

Theme: Mary’s Motherhood & the Need for World Peace.

Introduction

Today being 1^st January 2019 is the solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. Incidentally too, today is the “World Day of Peace” – a celebration that was established by Pope Paul VI in 1968 as a day in which the Mass for peace is said throughout the Catholic world.  Our reflection today prepares our minds to learn from Mary’s school of love and fidelity to God’s will. Theotokos which means Mary as Mother of God being one of the dogmas of the Blessed Virgin Mary prepares us as her children to respond to the will of God. 

Background & Summary of the Readings

In the first reading (Numbers 6:22-27), God commanded Moses to bless the sons and daughters of Israel. The invocation of divine benediction upon the children of Israel signals dependence on God who is dependable and merciful. There is no proper time to seek God’s blessings than the beginning of the year which makes the reading apt.

In the second reading (Galatians 4:4-7), St. Paul assures that we have received the spirit of adoption as God’s sons and daughters. It also discloses that this was made possible through the incarnation of Christ who humbled himself to be born of a woman, the BVM who is the mother of God. The text assures that we have being given the spirit of his Son which makes us cry “Abba! Father.” This means that we are no longer slaves since we have a father and a mother who are always there to listen to our needs.

In a related development, the Blessed Virgin Mary kept everything that was said about her Son pondering it in her heart as the gospel (Luke 2:16-21) relates. The visit of the shepherds and the circumcision as well as the naming of Jesus does not only indicate how God mixes with men but how men must cooperate with the will of God for divine realities to be made manifest. The generosity of Joseph and Mary in showing their Son to the shepherds is something that we should think about.

What is a Dogma?

A dogma is the official teaching of the Catholic Church pertaining to faith and morals proclaimed by the Magisterium (the teaching body of the Church) through the Roman Pontiff which is binding on all Catholics. Dogmas are lights along the path of faith; they illuminate and make faith secure (John 8:31-32). Built upon divine foundations, dogmas are firmly rooted in scripture as evident in the Holy Scripture (Cf. Matthew 18:18 & 16:18-19, John 21:16 & Luke 10:16).