Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
January 4, 2015 Cycle B
by Rev. Jose Maria Cortes, F.S.C.E.
Home Page
Sunday Reading Meditations
In the name of the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The event of Jesus’ birth affected all creation. Newness pervaded time, space and the cosmos. St. Gregory the Great wrote: “When the King of heaven was born, the heavens knew that He was God because they immediately sent forth a star; the sea knew Him because it allowed Him to walk upon it; the earth knew Him because it trembled when He died; the sun knew Him because it hid the rays of its light.”
The majority of people did not realize that a change had occurred. Only a few in search of the truth were surprised by the new light that entered the world. The Three Kings were seeking the meaning of the universe and life. In the midst of darkness, they sought the light: “… darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory” (Is 60:2). The glory of the Lord shone upon them: “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage” (Mt 2:2). They saw the star and then they began their journey: “Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance” (Is 60:3). Pope Benedict wrote: “The Magi set out because of a deep desire which prompted them to leave everything and begin a journey. It was as though they had always been waiting for that star.”
The Magi from the East show us that those who seek God encounter him. In the last few years, I have had the opportunity to meet two people who made a journey like that of the Magi and assist at their baptisms. They are both from the East: one is from China and the other from an Islamic country in the Persian Gulf.
For discretion, I shall just use their baptismal names.
Antonia was born in a Wahhabist country, where Islam is practiced in a very austere way. Since childhood, had an insatiable desire for the truth. At a certain point, she heard about Jesus but was not allowed to learn more about Him in her native country. After studying and then working abroad, she had the opportunity to become acquainted with the One for whom her heart was thirsting. She decided to be baptized, thus putting her life at risk. It was amazing to witness her profession of faith before her baptism and afterwards how she was completely full of joy!
John Paul was born in the People’s Republic of China. His family was not religious. However, he had a deep desire for the truth and an enormous will to learn about the meaning of reality. He never heard about Jesus until the day he came to study in the United States, at a Catholic school. He was really impressed by his colleagues and teachers. They made him very curious about Christ and the Church. After a year, he asked to be baptized. His family did not like his choice. However he was determined because he had found what he was seeking.
In these two examples, we see the same journey taken by the Magi: people coming from East attracted by the light of Christ. The celebration of the Epiphany invites us to renew our encounter with Christ as the light of the world. We have already encountered him. However, we must constantly journey toward him, like the Magi. We need to keep our deep desire for the truth alive, constantly discovering the newness of Christ. Our journey must be continuous. Those who seek God truly encounter him.
Let us ask for the grace of restless hearts. Let us be surprised by Christ. Let us discover that he is the answer to our deepest desires.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Top
Home Page
Sunday Reading Meditations