A Reflection for Feast of the Epiphany (Year C).
Isaiah 60:1-6 – Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6 – Matthew 2:1-12.

Dear brothers and sisters, in the Christmas narratives the shepherds, prompted by the heavenly host of angels rejoicing, went to find the newborn Saviour lying in a manger (Lk 2:12f). The Magi, bearing gifts for the newborn King, followed the light of a star (Mt 2:1f). Jesus, the Light of the world (Jn 8:12) has shown Himself to everyone: to people far and near, to lettered and unlettered, to peasants and kings, to rich and poor, to people of faith and to people of no faith This is the focal point of the Solemnity of the Epiphany: that Jesus the Lord has manifested Himself to all peoples of the world, leading them out of the darkness of sin and error into His everlasting light.

He is the King who shall reign over all the peoples, from sea to sea (Ps71:8, 11).
He is the Lord to whom all nations shall come, bringing gifts with songs of praise (Is 60:6).
He is the One in whom resides our inheritance (Eph 3:6), our belonging to the family of God.

We know that Jesus belongs to all because He was revealed not only to the Jews but also to the Gentiles. The announcement of the Saviour as a baby in the manger was gripping news for the Jewish shepherds and it motivated them to come down off the hillside to meet Him. The star of the king was the motivation for the Gentile Magi to follow it and to see where it led. ***What was it that initially motivated you to go and meet the Child Jesus and to forge a relationship with Him?

On this Solemnity of light, we recall how light provides energy for living things, how light enables us to discern what is really around us instead of what we fear may be around us, and how we are all drawn to light and enlightenment rather than to darkness and incomprehension where we just muddle our way dismally through life. When, however, we make the decision to come close to Jesus, the graces that He bestows upon us strengthen us in multiple ways, and we are changed, just as the Magi were changed when they encountered Jesus the King. Thereafter they were graced with a dream that protected them and the Holy Family. To put it another way, they were given insight into other people’s thinking and motives – the gift of discerning minds. In encountering Jesus, the Magi became people of faith. When we encounter Jesus, we begin to see life differently, and the closer we come to Jesus, the more profoundly we are able to discern God at work in us and in the world.

The journey of the Magi, guided by the star to the place where the Child Jesus lay, reflects our personal journey through life to paradise where God dwells eternally. The light of Jesus guides each one of us in differing ways to the destination of our heavenly home. As long as we are illumined by the light of Christ, that light is the source of the courage, determination and hope we actively need to keep on forging ahead despite all the troubles and evils in our way. When the light of Christ is obscured for whatever reason, we end up groping around aimlessly in life, and finding ourselves beset by doubt, confusion and failure. Worse, when we choose to head off into the darkness, turning our back on Jesus and going instead to the “Herod” of our soul, everything might seem to be going fine, but our life’s journey ends in greyness and regret and even a feeling that life has been a damp squib.

So, let me encourage all of us to continue purposefully to move towards Jesus, the beacon of light. Like a lighthouse, He keeps us away from the rocks. His light guides us safely along the road of life, alerting us to potholes and hazards. He tells us that no one lights a lamp to put it under a bushel [a measuring tub], but to set it on a lamp-stand for all to see (Mt 5:15). He is that divine light in heaven for you and for me to behold and give glory to God (Mt 5:16; Is 60:6). Let us continue to be alert to His presence in our lives, and to foster our relationship with Him (and with the Father and with the Holy Spirit) through prayer, worship and service.

Jesus’ light shines gently on us and on our souls, guiding us to heaven. In the same way as we have to put on special glasses to look at the sun, we have to put on the lens of faith to perceive with clarity the Holy Face of Jesus. With the lens of faith, we can perceive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. As we behold Jesus present in the Eucharist (the same Jesus who is risen and with us until the end of time), and as we experience the power of the Holy Spirit (who is at work in us and in the Church), let us be eager to unpack the special gifts that we have for Him. What can you give Him? There are no better gifts for Him than your spirit, your soul, your mind and your body. Give your all to Jesus who has given everything for you! Amen. God bless you.

Jesus is the Lord of all – and He is here for everyone!