DAILY- HOMILY

January 7, 2018 – SUNDAY, EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

Solemnity. White.

Is 60: 1 - 6 / Eph 3: 2- 3a; 5 -6 / Mt 2: 1 - 12

GOSPEL READING:           Mt 2: 1 -12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the days of King Herod, wise men from the East arrived in Jerusalem. They asked, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw the rising of his star in the east and have come to honor him."

When Herod heard this he was greatly disturbed and with him all Jerusalem. He immediately called a meeting of all high-ranking priests and those who taught the people of God his Law and asked them where the Messiah was to be born. "In the town of Bethlehem of Judea," they told him, "for this is what the prophet wrote: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least among the clans of Judah, for from you will come a leader, the one who is to shepherd my people Israel."

Then Herod secretly called the wise men and asked them the precise time the star appeared.. Then he sent them to Bethlehem with the instruction, "Go and get precise information about the child. And as soon as you have found him, report to me, so that I too may go and honor him."

After the meeting with the king, they set out. The star that they had seen in the east went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. The wise men were overjoyed on seeing the star again. They went into the house and when they saw the child with Mary his mother, they knelt and worshipped him. They opened their bags and offered him their gifts of gold, incense and myrrh.

In a dream they were warned not to go back to Herod, so they returned to their home country by another way.

REFLECTION

In today's Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, we celebrate the manifestation of the Word-made-Man to the Gentiles and the whole world, represented by the Magi from the East.

What can we learn from this Epiphany of the Lord?

First, we learn that God reaches out to all. In the Old Testament God made a covenant with his chosen people, the Israelites, "You shall be my people and I shall be your God." (Jer 30: 22) With the coming of Jesus, his covenant expands to the Gentiles and the whole world, "Now, the non-Jewish people share the inheritance; in Christ Jesus, the non-Jews are incorporated and are to enjoy the Promise." (Eph 3: 6)

This also tells us that when God reaches out, he reaches out to all without any exception. This means that in our own lives there is no part of ourselves which God does not wish to enter: "Are we ready to accept him into all that we are, with nothing excluded?" Indeed God wishes to reach out to all of us.

Secondly, we learn that God reaches out through various means. In the Old Testament he reached out through judges, prophets and kings, in a burning bush and flaming mountains, in visions and quiet whispering winds. In the Gospel the Magi learned about this King of the Jews who was to be born through their studies; they were guided to where he was through a star.

We live in a world with so much noise. Are we ready, and are we able, to hear

God when he is reaching out to us?

Thirdly, when God reaches out to us, he never leaves us on our own. When the star disappeared, the Magi sought the help of King Herod and his advisers. Told about Bethlehem, the star re-appeared and they found their way to the Child Jesus. In a dream God told them not to return to Herod.

God guides us in various ways, unique for each one of us, perhaps with turns and detours. But ultimately he never leaves us on our own; he is always there to guide us.

Like the Magi may we find God who reaches out to all of us in various means, always guiding us.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY 

     Andrew Lu Clemente

     Benedict Patrick S. Syling 

THANKSGIVING 

     Prime Spots, Inc.

     Tyrone & Letty Tang

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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