Saturday, January 4, 2020

"WE HAVE SEEN HIS STAR"

Reflection on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
(Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12)
“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” Today we celebrate the manifestation of Jesus to whole world. It was quite dramatic as the wise men spotted the star, and courageously traced its movement to meet the Baby Jesus. All humanity is summoned to the Salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is the light (Jn 8:12). Man would have remained in darkness, imprisoned in his own natural inclinations, if not that Jesus dwelt among us. The remarkable light of the star scattered the darkness of the sky as it announced with serene silence that the Living Light is born.
 Image result for THE MAGI
The greatest mystery of all time left its concrete witness in nature as the star descended. “Ever since the creation of the world, the invisible existence of God and his everlasting power have been clearly seen by the mind’s understanding of created things” (Rm 1:20). The birth of Jesus sanctified the order of nature, such that God’s presence can be perceived therein. Now all the ends of the earth, every culture and society, can now discover God who is within (cf. Ps 98:3). The human mind, which is part of nature, can rise to contemplation of the truth of God. Scientific knowledge and common sense can perceive God’s presence if they are open to the truth. So the Wise Men, the Magi, who committed themselves to the study of nature and the search for truth, discovered the sign that points to Jesus Christ. These Men were open-minded, asking questions and ready to surrender to the revealed truth. Such are the men who seek your face, O Lord, who seek the God of Jacob (Ps 24:3-6).

The star continued to move but the Wise Men branched off to Herod’s palace. Experts were consulted; even those who hated the Messiah-King helped them! However, the most sublime of human thinking, cannot fully comprehend the fullness of Divine Revelation. The star halted over where the Baby Jesus was; its light must give way to the true Light of the World. God has taken His position among us; Nature has encountered its creator. The Wise Men now pay homage to the Incarnate Wisdom. The thinking mind searching for truth now meets the revealed truth. Reason serves faith; faith enlightens reason. In paying homage to Jesus, the Wise Men surrendered all their intelligence to divine illumination. Now they could properly interpret, not just the signs in nature, but even dreams. “And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.” Those who live only according to human inclinations, who rationalize everything instead being open to revealed truth, cannot redirect their lives to the path of life (cf. Rm 8:5-8).

Therefore, St Paul in the second reading exalts the ‘stewardship God’s grace’ that was given to him by revelation. In carrying out this apostolic mandate, those who live by their natural selves, the Gentiles, are to be brought into the divine promise in Christ Jesus. “The natural person has no room for the gifts of God’s Spirit; to him they are folly; he cannot recognise them, because their value can be assessed only in the Spirit” (1 Cor 2:14). There is joy when we sincerely search for the truth with openness to God’s revelation.

Image result for christ the king procession in nigeriaThe star of salvation continues to rise, summoning people of sincere heart to divine encounter. If we are Wise, we will perceive God’s presence within and in the events that occur around us. From the order of nature His star breaks forth and shines! Thus, we have seen His star anew in the Eucharist as it rises above us who are bent in adoration, paying homage. The ‘natural signs’ lead us to deeper divine encounter. Like the star that halted over Jesus, the Eucharistic signs lead us to communion with Jesus. Yes, we have seen the signs; we have seen His star. Let us arise and match forward. He awaits us.

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday, January, 2020.
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.

Throwback: Click below to previous Epiphany reflections in 2012 and 2013 respectively