Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord - 2 January
2nd January 2022
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord - 2 January 🌟
“Today the Magi gaze in deep wonder at what they see: heaven on earth, earth in heaven, man in God, God in man, one whom the whole universe cannot contain now enclosed in a tiny body.” - St Peter Chrysologus
Reflection
A reflection on today's gospel reading by the Venerable Archbishop Fulton J Sheen:
"The Psalmist had foretold that the kings of the East would come to do homage to Emmanuel. Following a star, they came to Jerusalem to ask Herod where the King had been born. God spoke to the Gentiles through nature and philosophers; to the Jews, through prophecies. Though coming from a land that worshipped stars, they [the Gentiles] surrendered that religion as they fell down and worshipped Him Who made the stars. The Gentiles in fulfillment of the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah 'came to Him from the ends of the earth.' They brought three gifts: gold to honour His Kingship, frankincense to honour His Divinity, and myrrh to honour His Humanity which was destined for death. Myrrh was used at His burial. The crib and the Cross are related again, for there is myrrh at both.
"When the Magi came from the East bringing gifts for the Babe, Herod knew that the time had come for the birth of the King announced clearly to the Jews, and apprehended dimly in the aspirations of the Gentiles. But like all carnal-minded men, he lacked a spiritual sense, and therefore felt certain that the King would be a political one. He made inquiries as to where Christ was to be born. The chief priests and learned men told him. Herod said that he wanted to worship the Babe. But his actions proved that he really meant, 'If this is the Messiah, I must kill Him.'
"The hatred the second Herod would show Christ at His death had its prologue in the hatred of his father, Herod the Great, for Christ as a Babe. Herod was fearful that He Who came to bring a heavenly crown would steal away his own tinsel one. He pretended that he wanted to bring gifts, but the only gift he wanted to bring was death. Wicked men sometimes hide their evil designs under an appearance of religion: 'I am a religious man, but…' Men can make inquiries about Christ for two reasons, either to worship or to harm. Some would even make use of religion for their evil designs, as Herod made use of the Wise Men. Inquiries about religion do not produce the same results in all hearts. What men ask about Divinity is never as important as why they ask it." (Life of Christ)
Prayer for the Epiphany of the Lord
Dear Jesus, as You led the Three Kings to You by the light of a star, please draw us ever closer to You by the light of Faith. Help us to desire You as ardently as they did. Give us the grace to overcome all the obstacles that keep us far from You. May we, like them, have something to give You when we appear before You. Amen. 🙏💖💐🌟