Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis
with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk
Epiphany of the Lord - January 5, 2020.
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: Christ Our Star
Introduction
Beloved in Christ,
today is the Epiphany of the Lord otherwise known as the manifestation of Jesus
to the world. Epiphany is a miniature Christmas because the Magi represent
humanity in following the Star of Bethlehem to identify the Lord, present gifts
to Him and worship Him as God. The word Epiphany
comes from the Greek Epiphania, which means the visit of God to Earth.
The celebration reveals Christ as the Son of God and unites three events in the
life of Christ - 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. In sum,
the Epiphany prepares the faithful for the second coming of Christ in glory.
Background and
Summary of the Readings
In the first
reading (Isaiah 60:1-6), the prophet Isaiah reveals how everyone in Sheba would
offer gold and incense to God while singing His praises. This is a clear
testimony that the nations and kings have come to the light of the world. The
reading forecast how the Magi would be led by the star of Bethlehem to the
birth-place of the saviour.
The second
reading (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6) talks about the revelation of God’s mystery
which the solemnity of Epiphany unravels and celebrates. It makes it clear that
that mystery has indeed been revealed by the spirit which is why Gentiles can
also lay claim to God’s inheritance that they are part of the same body and
promise through Christ.
The gospel (Matthew 2:1-12) narrative is
a fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah in the first reading. Aside from the
exciting revelation of the Magi in the gospel, the text tells us how sensible
the wise men were by not returning to Herod who wanted to eliminate the child
Jesus. Accordingly, they went through another way leaving Herod with his wicked
plans unfulfilled. 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.
Pastoral
Application and Lessons
1. Celebrates
Our Act of Worship: We are called upon to bow down and
adore the Lord as well as offer Him our total loyalty even as we revere Him as signified
by the mystic gifts of gold which stands for His kingship, myrrh which
signifies His death and frankincense which represents his priesthood.
2. Celebrates
Christ Our Star: We
are urged to let Christ our Star
guide our pilgrim journey just as the star of Bethlehem led the Magi to the
manger.
3. Celebrates Our Common Heritage: The message of
St. Paul in the second reading that the mystery [of the Epiphany] has indeed
been revealed by the spirit which is why Gentiles can also lay claim to God’s
inheritance demonstrates that we are part of the same body and promise through
Christ.
4.
Celebrates God as Man: Epiphany means the visit of God to
the earth, the divine
wedding of Christ with humanity also shows that great things
happen when God mixes with us – “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.”
5. Celebrates
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.
6.
Celebrates Christ as Light of the world: At Epiphany, Christ the light of the nations bursts forth to
all nations as the fulfillment of the prophecies of old namely: “The Gentiles
shall walk in Thy light, and kings in the brightness of Thy rising.”
7.
Celebrates the Visit of the Magi: Like the three wise men, we are challenged to develop the
courage to draw others to the light of Christ in our journey of faith.
8. Celebrates the Universality of Salvation: According
to tradition the biblical Magi named
Balthazar,
Gaspar
and Melchior
represent the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa thus symbolizing the
universal call to holiness and salvation.
9.
Celebrates the Eucharist: That the star led the Magi to Bethlehem which means House of Bread
signals that the new born king would eventually feed the world with the Bread of
Life in the Holy Eucharist.
Homiletic
Quotes to Remember
1. In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah reveals
how everyone in Sheba would offer gold and incense to God while singing His
praises.
2. The second reading talks about the revelation of
God’s mystery which the solemnity of Epiphany unravels and celebrates.
3. The gospel narrative is a fulfilment of the
prophecy of Isaiah in the first reading.
4. Aside from the exciting revelation of the Magi in
the gospel, the text tells us how sensible the wise men were in not returning
to Herod…
5. They went through another way leaving Herod with
his wicked plans unfulfilled.
Conclusion
In
his 2018 homily for the Solemnity of Epiphany, Pope Francis stressed that we
must emulate
three actions of the
Magi namely, seeing, setting out and bringing gifts to the Lord. Therefore, we
must learn to see the star, set out and offer our gifts to God now and always as we proclaim Christ
as the light of the nations. He surmised that we should “…Imitate the Magi:
looking upwards, setting out, and freely offering our gifts.” May God help
through Christ Our Lord. Have a Great Week Ahead!
