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