THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD JESUS.

THE SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD. 

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” (Matthew 2: 2).

The three Magi followed the star hundreds of miles before they found Jesus.

"They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh." (Matthew 2: 10 - 11).

Sunday 5th January 2025 is the great Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.

What is the Epiphany? This is the day when the Divine Child Jesus was shown or revealed to Gentiles represented by the three Wise Men.

Brothers and sisters, this is really a beautiful feast that offers us great insight into the mystery of salvation. Our salvation, our redemption, our assumption into Christ depends on one thing, only one thing: FAITH! Examples:

#1 The Magi, wealthy lords from the East entered the logcabin type of room where Christ lay with His simply clad mother and father in a sparsely furnished room . They saw and Believed that this is He.

St Bernard of Clairvaux wrote:

"What are you doing, O Magi? Do you adore a little Babe, in a wretched hovel, wrapped in miserable rags? Can this Child be truly God? … Are you become foolish, O Wise Men … Yes, these Wise Men have become fools that they may be wise. (Saint Bernard of Clairvaux). 

Like saying: Do you adore the Eucharist? The Blessed Sacrament?]. [

#2 Simeon and Anna entered the Temple at the moment of the Presentation of Jesus to His heavenly Father. They saw a simple couple with two small pigeons, the offering of the poor. They saw and they Believed that this is He the expected Messiah.

#3 At the crucifixion, Jesus' battered body was hanging between two thieves. One of the thieves turned his head slightly and looked at Jesus. He saw and believed that this is He, the Savior of the world.

#4. The Roman officer who had seen many crucifixions saw the demeanor of Jesus hanging from the Cross and said: This is the Son of God.

In all four instances, our examples walked by faith and not by sight or feeling. The Three Wise Men were guided by the light of the Star to Jesus. The Star became a type of Sacrament (Sacramentum, Mysterium) an outward sign of deeper meaning pointing to Jesus. 

Faith is a supernatural gift of God to whomever He chooses. 

In the feast of the Epiphany, we celebrate the fullness of time when God revealed His only Begotten Son to the nations through the Magi by the guidance of a star.

Nothing happens in the Economy of Salvation outside the Fullness of Time. God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence works in the framework of the Fullness of Time. Scripture proclaims that IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME, GOD MAKES EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL. (Cf Ecclesiastes 3: 11).

All nations must become coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (Cf Ephesians 3: 6).

When you became a member of the Body of Christ through Baptism, you were asked: What do you seek from the Church of the living God? We know that the first thing we seek is Faith. Faith opens the door to every good thing in the world. 

Abraham, David and Mary heard the Promise and believed. 

I believe in God the Father.

I believe in Jesus Christ, His Only Begotten Son.

I believe in the Holy Spirit.

I believe in the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

I believe in life everlasting.

I believe in Divine Providence. 

Amen.

The Church honors the Most Holy Name of Jesus in January. We hear. We believe! 

“Faith in Jesus and in the power of His Holy Name is the greatest spiritual force in the world today.... " (Blessed Henry Suso - 1290 to 1365).

For the Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and prayer intentions click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/12/litany-of-most-holy-name-of-jesus.html?m=1