Epiphany

Feast of Epiphany

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising” (Is 60:1-3).

Today is the Feast of Epiphany. Today, we recall the “mystery of the manifestation of the Lord Jesus, not only to the covenant people, but to the Gentiles. Today’s celebration embraces the visit of the Magi or the Three Kings of the East. It is the manifestation of God to all of humanity, the Theophany.

Let us prepare our hearts as we celebrate the sacred mysteries.

Lord Jesus, you are the prince of peace. Lord have mercy.

Christ Jesus, you are the light of all nations. Christ have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you are the Son of God and Son of Mary. Lord have mercy.

RETELLING OF THE MAGI STORY

There was a retelling of the Magi story. The three Magi got together because they saw a bright star that would lead them to the newborn King. They decided to buy a gift to the newborn king. So they agreed to only spend $5 dollars on the gift.

After shopping, they got together and shared what they bought for the newborn king. The first one said: I got him frankincense to signify his priesthood. He is the bridge between God and humanity.

The second one said I got him myrrh to signify his impending sacrifice, that which would bring salvation to all of humanity.

The third one says I got him gold.

The other two looked at him and said: “I thought we agreed that we were not going to spend more than $5 on the gift.”

So that's the story of the two wise men and one wise guy.

RECEIVING AND GIVING

From time to time, all of us can use a little help. The Holy Family, in their humble beginnings needed assistance. They were visited by the Magi from the East, who came bearing gifts (gold, frankincense and myrrh). No doubt those gifts came in handy for the Holy Family on the journey.

In times of need, don't be too proud to accept help and support from others. The Holy Family models humility for us by accepting those gifts.

And in times when we are flush with wealth and abundance, it's good to share with others. It's like the Three Kings who share their resources with the Holy Family. There is a saying that when we're at the gates of heaven, we need reference letters from the poor.

THREE GIFTS

The gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh tells us a lot about Christ. Christ is the King of the Universe (gold), Christ is the Priest/Bridge between God and Humanity (frankincense). Christ is the Sacrificial Lamb for the Passover (myrrh).

Just as the Three Kings offer those gifts to Christ, we can offer our own forms of gold, frankincense and myrrh to Almighty God.

The gold are the treasures in our lives. They are all the blessings we receive from God. They are the successes, triumphs, joy and happiness.

Offering our own forms of frankincense is offering our time for prayer with God. With age, we recognize that that the greatest treasure in our lives is our time on this earth. The less time we have, the more valuable it becomes. How do we choose to spend that time? Do we use it wisely and give the large portion to God at Mass and other prayer devotions?

Offering our own forms of myrrh is bringing to Almighty God all the bitterness in our lives, all the sufferings, heartaches to God. It is precisely picking up our own crosses and following Christ. All of our failures, disappointments, struggles, we can share this with God in prayer so that we could be at one with the crucified Christ.

It's very interesting that the two gifts we bring to the altar, are bread and wine. Bread signifies all the things that are coming together; our success, our triumphs, our victories. But we also offer the wine, which is crushed grapes. Those are the things that are crushed and broken in our lives. They can be forms adversity, addictions, failures, disappointments, hurts, grudges, betrayal, setbacks. We brings these "crushed grapes" to God so that God may consecrate them, and turn them into something good. The gifts of bread and wine are transubstantiated, and becomes the body and blood of Christ. So that we could partake in the elements, and live our lives like Christ. St. Paul says: “It is not I who live but Christ who lives in me."

The mystery of the Eucharist shows its significance when we offer these outward forms of bread and wine, and our own forms of bread and wine to Almighty God; the many things that come together for us, and the things that are falling apart.

MISSION OF CHRIST

Further reflection on the Feast of Epiphany presents the mission/goal for all disciples of Christ.  Because the Three Kings were not Hebrews. They were not of the old covenant made with Abraham. Nevertheless, they traveled long distances to adore the newborn King.

The covenant Christ established is for all people, not just Catholics. Certainly, we have to maintain the integrity and disciplines by keeping with the laws of the Church, and having continuing catechism to keep a strong foundation. But the Feast of Epiphany is about not limiting the scope of the Church. The Church, on route to heaven, is a place of refuge for all peoples.

St. Paul was bold to say that Gentiles are coheirs of the new covenant. This would've greatly offended the people of the old covenant. The Feast of Epiphany is not having limited seating. It's not about limiting the number of people who can be disciples of Christ. It's about broadening. It's about enlarging the vision of Holy Mother Church. It's not about closing doors, but opening them to welcoming all peoples. Christ is for all people.

JESUS REMEMBER ME

A story was told that when the Holy Family escaped to Egypt because of King Herod, they were met by two thieves. One of them noticed that they had gold, and wanted to rob the Holy Family. But the other thief noticed that they had a newborn infant, so he suggested that they should spare them because of the child, and find someone else to rob.

Fast forward thirty three years later, the two same thieves were the same ones crucified with Jesus. The bad thief mocked Jesus. But the other one looked down at the foot of the cross, and he saw the mother. He recognized Mary. He remembered her. He surmised that her child had grown up. Jesus was the child. He once spared their lives. Then he said to Jesus: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus responded: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Jesus remembers everything we do. Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do unto me.

CUB SCOUT MOTTO

At the last parish, we allow our facilities to be used by the Cub Scouts rent-free. Staff members and I worry about ensuring that the facilities are in good shape. We rarely had a problem with the cub scouts. One time, something was broken on campus, and the Cub Scout leaders notified us, had the students wrote letters of apology, and then they paid to fix the damages.

One of the motto for the Cub Scouts is: “Try to leave this world a little better than you found it.” This means that when they use a facility for camping, or for their events and gatherings, they make sure to pick up the trash, wash dishes, clean up after themselves, don't leave the place messy. If they broke something, they were to make sure to notify someone and fix it.

They could also make their world a little better by making improvements on their surroundings. They could create a hiking trail, put up helpful signs. They could help do things around the campus to improve the environment.

We could also say that's a motto of Jesus. He made the world a better place. He left this world a little than he found it.  He came to save all people, and he is the light of all nations.  

Not only did he taught about mercy and forgiveness, but he lived it. When he was on the cross, he prayed: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” He opened the covenant and made it for all peoples, both Jews and Gentiles.

Leave a place a little better than you found it. I think this would be a great motto for the new calendar year 2016. Wherever we are, to give our very best, make improvements, and be good stewards.

LOCAL NEWS EXAMPLE

On New Years's Eve, while watching the countdown, I saw on the news of a fire in Everett that had displaced about 100 people. It was sad for these people to begin their new year in this manner. But surprisingly, many neighbors came forth and brought with them blankets, clothing and food for these people. It was a nice gesture, and shows the goodness and kindness in humanity.

Happy Feast of Epiphany. And wishing you a blessed New Calendar Year. May the Holy Spirit renew your spirit throughout this New Year.