Rejoice, brothers and sisters, as the Church celebrates the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord! We rejoice with great gladness, for the central message of this feast is the manifestation of Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world—not just for the chosen people of Israel, but for all humanity. This truth echoes throughout today’s readings.
In the second reading, St. Paul reveals the mystery of God’s inclusive plan for salvation. He reminds us that the Gentiles—non-Jews—are “coheirs, members of the same body, and co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.” This affirms that Jesus’ love and salvation are offered to everyone who seeks Him, without exception.
In the Gospel, we hear the story of the Magi, men from the East who symbolise the Gentiles—representing all of us. The journey of the Magi offers profound insights for our own spiritual lives:
The Star as a Guide
The star that guided the Magi to the new born King represents the divine light leading us to Jesus. Just as the star pointed the Magi toward Christ, we too can become a light to others. By radiating the love of Christ through our acts of service, compassion, forgiveness, and kindness, we can lead others to encounter Him.
The Zeal of the Magi
The Magi were unwavering in their quest to find the divine king. They sacrificed their comforts and endured a long, perilous journey, always following the guiding star. Their journey symbolizes our own faith pilgrimage. We are called to ask ourselves: Are we as zealous in seeking and loving God? Are we willing to set aside worldly distractions and dedicate our hearts, minds, and souls to Him? Like the Magi, our faith journey will not always be easy. We may face difficulties, uncertainties, and even failures. But let us take comfort in the words of the Lord: “Do not fear, I am with you.”
Offering Gifts to Jesus
When the Magi finally reached Jesus, they worshiped Him and offered precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. As we reflect on their offerings, we are invited to consider what we can give to Jesus this Epiphany? Perhaps we can offer Him our time, our talents, our resources, and our acts of kindness—all for His glory.
Transformation Through Encounter
After encountering Jesus, the Magi departed by a different route, symbolising a profound change in their lives. Their journey was transformed by their encounter with Christ. Similarly, our encounter with Jesus should transform us, leading us to leave behind old ways of living and embrace a new life of faith, love, and righteousness.
The feast of the Epiphany of the Lord reminds us that God’s salvation is for all people. As we celebrate this feast, let us renew our commitment to be like the star that guides others to Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.
Written By : Simon Chua