Christ Continues to Manifest Himself
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
“Lord, every nation on earth will protect you.”Ps. 72
The word Epiphany means manifestation. Theophany is a manifestation of God; This is what the wise men who came from the East found in that manger of Bethlehem, in that newborn to whom they wisely and prophetically offered gold as a King, frankincense as God and myrrh as a man, as the Creed would define later, Christ is God and true man and he is also a King.
Those wise men from the East were seekers, because only the one who seeks finds, and only by seeking can some wisdom be achieved; they knew how to discern signs from heaven to find the God made man-child, and as is typical of the wise they had humility to prostrate themselves and adore him, to accept what cannot be understood humanly, but the wise know that the complete truth exceeds our human capacity and logic.
And what about us? Are we seekers, do we love the truth, do we seek God? Or do we get carried away by the superficiality of the world that wants us distracted by the things of this fleeting world? The Lord calls us to discern the signs of the times, and he did so with a strong appeal also to those of his time who perhaps were not as lost and scattered as we are today:
“Hypocrites! You know how to examine the appearance of the earth and the sky; why don’t you examine this present time?”Luke 12:56
Following the example of the holy kings, we should be lovers of truth, seekers of wisdom, trying to discern with God’s criteria between the valuable and the superfluous that we find in this world and in this mode of existence in which we find ourselves, so as not to being swept away by the lies and deceit of this superficial world led by the Evil One as Jesus said.
Discerning between good and evil, between what is true and deceitful, between what is valuable and what is disposable is very clear if we listen to the word of God and see the example of Jesus who is the one who should guide us. We must not allow ourselves to be deceived by human, carnal or worldly criteria, since the Christian lives in the light of faith and the word of God; for us what is truly valuable is the spiritual, the eternal, the values of heaven, more than the material and fleeting, including life in the body that is temporary. Well… what use would it be to one to gain the whole world if we lose our own soul?
Living in the light of Christ, illuminated by faith, which is the star that should guide us to God, will always lead us to have the mind of Christ, his way of thinking, judging, loving and living, willing to follow in his footsteps of love for Him and our neighbor, even if we had to give up our physical lives as He did and so many Saints who followed in his footsteps.
Christ continues to speak to us clearly, through his Word, through his Church, through circumstances, signs of the times, so that we can recognize him, and take the path of Life, the one that leads us to Him forever.
Readings for the Week
Monday: Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Acts 10:34-38; Ps 29:1-4, 3, 9-10; Mt 3:13-17
Tuesday: Heb 2:5-12; Ps 8:2ab, 5, 6-9; Mk 1:21-28 or Heb 1:1-6 and 2:5-12; Ps 8:2ab, 5, 6-9; Mk 1:14-20 and 1:21-28
Wednesday: Heb 2:14-18; Ps 105:1-4, 6-9; Mk 1:29-39
Thursday: Heb 3:7-14; Ps 95:6-11; Mk 1:40-45
Friday: Heb 4:1-5, 11; Ps 78:3, 4bc, 6c-8; Mk 2:1-12
Saturday: Heb 4:12-16; Ps 19:8-10, 15; Mk 2:13-17
Sunday: Is 49:3, 5-6; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-10; 1 Cor 1:1-3; Jn 1:29-34
Saints & Special Observances
Sunday: Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
Monday: Feast of The Baptism of the Lord
Tuesday: First Week in Ordinary Time begins
Friday: St. Hilary
Saturday: Blessed Virgin Mary