The Epiphany of the Lord — A Journey Into God’s Light
Arise and Stand Upon the Heights
“Arise, Jerusalem, stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children gathered…” (Baruch 5:5, NABRE)
Baruch’s call speaks to every heart that has felt weighed down or discouraged. It is a gentle invitation to lift our eyes from what burdens us and to trust that God is already moving toward us. The Catechism reminds us that “God never ceases to draw man to himself” (CCC 27), and our priest expressed this beautifully when he said that God allows Himself to be seen only by those willing to set out on a journey. God does not reveal Himself to those who remain spiritually motionless or convinced they already possess all truth. He reveals Himself to those who dare to take even one small step toward Him, even when the path is unclear. Epiphany reminds us that God’s light is not distant; it is near, tender, and waiting for us to rise.
Your Light Has Come
“Arise! Shine, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1, NABRE)
Isaiah’s proclamation is not a command to create our own brightness but an announcement that God’s light has already arrived. Yet not everyone sees it, because God does not blind us with His glory or remove the need for faith. As our priest said, the star does not replace the journey; it only orients it. The Catechism teaches that God “illumines the mind and moves the heart” (CCC 1804), giving us enough light for the next step, not the entire map. His guidance is subtle, like a star in the night sky—steady, quiet, and inviting us to move without knowing everything in advance. Isaiah’s vision of nations drawn to the brightness of God’s dawn becomes the very journey of the Magi.
The Magi: Seekers of the Silent Light
“When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea… behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem.” (Matthew 2:1, NABRE)
The Magi embody the spirit of seeking. They had no Scriptures, no prophets, no covenant, and no psalms memorized. Yet they were the first to recognize the King. They did not settle for what they already knew. They were willing to read the silence, to accept the discomfort of not having all the answers, and to move into the unknown. The Catechism teaches that “those who seek God with a sincere heart… may attain eternal salvation” (CCC 847), and the Magi are the first witnesses of this truth. Our priest reminded us that Herod had knowledge, Jerusalem had Scripture, and the scribes had expertise, but only the Magi had openness. This is the quiet judgment of Epiphany: knowing about God is not the same as seeking Him. The Magi show us that God is found not by the comfortable but by the courageous.
We Saw His Star at Its Rising
“We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” (Matthew 2:2, NABRE)
The Magi follow a fragile sign—a star that flickers in the night sky. Not a miracle, not a thunderous revelation, just a small, steady light. And they trust it. Their journey leads them not to a palace but to a humble home, not to a throne but to a Child, not to power but to Presence. The Catechism reminds us that God “comes to meet man” (CCC 2567) and that He reveals Himself in ways that respect our freedom. As our priest said, God does not reveal Himself in the spectacular but in the small, not at the center of power but at the margins, not in the palace but in the poor house. Only those willing to kneel can recognize Him.
Gifts That Reveal the Mystery
“They opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11, NABRE)
The gifts the Magi bring are confessions of faith. Gold acknowledges His kingship, frankincense His divinity, and myrrh His saving sacrifice. The Catechism teaches that Jesus is “true God and true man” (CCC 464) and that His entire life reveals the Father’s love (CCC 516). From the very beginning, this Child is revealed as King, God, and Savior. There is no Christmas without the Cross, no manger without the mission, no Epiphany without the offering. The Magi teach us that true worship always involves surrender—the laying down of what we treasure most.
The Mystery Revealed to the Nations
“The mystery was made known to me by revelation… the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body.” (Ephesians 3:3, 6, NABRE)
St. Paul reveals the heart of Epiphany: God’s plan of salvation is universal. The Catechism affirms that “the Gospel was to be preached to all nations” (CCC 528) and that the Magi represent the firstfruits of the nations who welcome the Good News. Their kneeling before the Child is the first visible sign that Christ has come for all peoples, all cultures, all nations. No one is excluded from the light that shines in Bethlehem.
The Lamb Who Is Our Light
“The city had no need of sun or moon… for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:23, NABRE)
Revelation lifts our eyes to the end of the story. The Child who shines in Bethlehem becomes the Lamb who illuminates the New Jerusalem. The Catechism teaches that in heaven, “God himself will be their light” (CCC 1045). His light is not seasonal; it is eternal. The star that guided the Magi is only a faint reflection of the glory that awaits us in Christ.
Returning by Another Way
“Having been warned in a dream… they departed for their country by another way.” (Matthew 2:12, NABRE)
This detail is not geographical but spiritual. Anyone who truly encounters Christ cannot return the same way. The path changes because the heart changes. The Catechism teaches that conversion is a lifelong turning toward God (CCC 1427), and the Magi show us that transformation is the true fruit of worship. Epiphany is not about admiring a star but about allowing the encounter with Christ to redirect our lives.
Christ, Light for All Nations
“May all kings bow before him, all nations serve him.” (Psalm 72:11, NABRE)
Christ is light for all nations and hope for all peoples. The Catechism teaches that “the Epiphany is the manifestation of Jesus as Messiah of Israel, Son of God, and Savior of the world” (CCC 528). He is not the possession of a few, not confined to culture or tradition, and not limited to those who “have it all together.” He still calls unexpected witnesses—people who seek without certainty, who walk without guarantees, who allow themselves to be transformed. The question of Epiphany is not whether the star is shining; the question is whether we are willing to rise and follow.
A Prayer for the Journey
May the light of Christ rise upon your heart today.
May He give you just enough light for the next step and the courage of the Magi to seek, to trust, and to follow.
May His presence transform your path, and may you, like the Magi, return by another way—renewed, humbled, and filled with His peace.
Comments
Post a Comment