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Dear Preachers:
 Epiphany means "manifestation." In
ancient Egypt, this was the date of the winter solstice, a feast of light during
the darkest time of the year. Early Christians transformed this celebration into
a reflection on Jesus’ coming to dispel the darkness of ignorance and sin. While
Eastern and Orthodox Christians commemorate Jesus' birth today, the feast of
Epiphany reveals how and where Christ manifests himself to us. The scriptures
and liturgy for Epiphany shine a light into the darkness we may experience,
offering guidance and hope in times of uncertainty. The feast emphasizes that
God’s light has entered the world and is meant for all people. It is a reminder
of light amid darkness and hope in despair.
Isaiah: A Command to Radiate God’s Light
Today's reading from Isaiah comes from a series of songs (Isaiah 56–66)
describing God's restoration of the people and the rebuilding of Jerusalem and
its temple. The passage begins with the command: “Rise up in splendor,
Jerusalem!” This phrase recalls my mother waking me for school on cold, dark
winter mornings, saying, “Rise and shine!” Unlike my childhood struggles to get
out of bed, Isaiah's words are empowering. When God summons Jerusalem, God’s
Word enables action. Jerusalem is not left to restore itself alone – God’s glory
is coming as a shining light to lift up the community.
The world is shrouded in darkness, but Jerusalem will radiate with God’s light.
Nations (“the Gentiles”) will be drawn to this light. Isaiah envisions a time
when people will see God’s splendor and shine with that radiance. “Then you
shall be radiant at what you see.” Do you know people who shine because of their
faith? They remain calm and trusting amid adversity: the wise teachers in parish
religion classes, musicians in the choir, diligent people of prayer, visitors to
the sick, volunteers in parish ministries, and those who offer free services to
those in need. These individuals consistently do good works, inspired by a
vision of God’s light and love.
Matthew: The Light of the Magi
The gospel begins by acknowledging the darkness: Jesus was born in a time of
oppression under King Herod. Yet the darkness is pierced by light as the Magi
arrive in Jerusalem, guided by the star. According to John J. Pilch
(The Cultural World of Jesus: Sunday by Sunday, Cycle A), Magi were not kings,
or even “wise men” in the traditional sense. They were members of an upper
caste, serving as political and religious advisors to rulers in what is now Iran
and Iraq.
In Matthew’s account, the Magi follow the star to find Jesus, venerate him, and
then depart quickly. Their journey symbolizes the reach of Christ’s dominion
beyond Israel. Their presence at Herod’s court – seeking a "newborn king of the
Jews" – signals that this king’s reign will extend far beyond the Roman Empire.
The Magi’s search reveals that the true king comes not from established power,
but from a humble family in Bethlehem.
This light, revealed to outsiders like the Magi, illuminates the lives of the
overlooked and downtrodden. The Epiphany proclaims that God’s light is for all,
especially those marginalized by the world. Ironically, those closest to God’s
promises – Herod, the chief priests, and scribes – fail to see, or respond to
the light. Meanwhile, the outsiders, the Magi, follow the star and find Christ.
A Call to Search and Respond
Epiphany invites us to leave the familiar and search for Christ in unlikely
places. What gifts will we bring when we find him? Instead of frankincense, we
might advocate for poor families, especially single parents and newborns.
Instead of gold, we could support shelters for homeless families, or
international programs for children and the elderly. Instead of myrrh, we could
visit the sick and dying.
Like the Magi, we are guided by grace, which acts as our star, leading us to the
hidden places where Christ is found. The Magi brought gifts fit for royalty, but
today Christ is found not in palaces, but among the poor. Epiphany reminds us
that each day Christ manifests himself in the world’s lesser places and among
surprising people. These are the places to bring our gifts, starting with the
most important one: ourselves.
God’s Self-Giving Light
Our recent activities may have focused on preparing for the celebration of
Christ’s birth. Yet these days are not primarily about what we have done, but
about what God has done. Scripture repeatedly reveals God as the primary actor
in our story: “...but upon you the Lord shines,” Isaiah proclaims. Paul affirms,
“...the mystery was made known to me by revelation.” Matthew tells us the Magi
were guided by a star.
The Epiphany reveals the profound mystery of our faith: God has given God’s self
completely to the world. This feast celebrates God’s self-giving and challenges
us to reflect that light to others.
Symbols of Light
Some parishes may enhance their Epiphany celebrations with additional candles.
While most processions include two altar servers carrying candles, others could
carry lighted candles to the sanctuary, placing them near the altar, ambo, or
baptismal font. Symbols like these often speak more powerfully than words,
touching hearts deeply. A procession of lighted candles into a dimmed church
proclaims the central message of Epiphany: Christ, our light, has come and
revealed himself to the world.
Click here for a
link to this Sunday’s readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010525.cfm
JUSTICE BULLETIN BOARD
He shows pity
to the needy and the poor and saves the lives of the poor.
Psalm 72: 13
When I was a young girl, I collected Christmas
stories from magazines and books. The Story of the Other Wise Man (Harper,
1923), written by Henry Van Dyke, is especially good to read on
Epiphany.
In the tale, there is a fourth wise man named Artaban, who plans to join the
other three. He sells everything to purchase three jewels—a sapphire, a ruby,
and a pearl—as tribute to “the Victorious One in his brightness.” Artaban faces
his first challenge when he comes upon a dying Hebrew. “Should he risk the great
reward of his divine faith for the sake of a single deed of human love?” He
chooses to stay to restore the man.
Selling the sapphire for provisions for the desert crossing to Bethlehem, he
finds shelter upon arrival with a young mother, who has a baby. Suddenly, they
hear the soldiers of Herod are killing children. Artaban stands in front of her
cottage and tells a soldier that he will give him the ruby in exchange for
safety.
We next find Artaban in Alexandria, Egypt consulting with a Hebrew rabbi, who
tells him, “Those who seek Him will do well to look among the poor and the
lowly.” Artaban spends years in Egypt tending the oppressed and afflicted, all
the while searching for the family.
A whispering in his aging heart tells him to make one last trip to Jerusalem
where he finds that the King of the Jews is to be crucified. On his way to try
to bargain for Jesus’ life with his pearl, a young girl begs him for help. She
is being sold as a slave to pay for her father’s debts. Again, the conflict in
his soul rises. “One thing only was sure to his divided heart—to rescue this
helpless girl would be a true deed of love. And is not love the light of the
soul?” Artaban gives her the pearl. Immediately the sky darkens, the earth
shudders, and he is struck by a falling stone. He realizes his quest has failed
but, at the same time, he is enveloped by a sense of peace, “he had been true to
the light that had been given him.” As he lay dying in the arms of the girl he
had saved, she hears faintly, “ Verily I say unto thee, inasmuch as thou hast
done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, thou has done it to me.”
Barbara
Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director
Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries
Holy Name of Jesus
Cathedral, Raleigh, NC
FAITH BOOK
Mini-reflections on the Sunday
scripture readings designed for persons on the run. “Faith Book” is also
brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish bulletins people take home.
From today’s Gospel reading:
When Jesus was born
in Bethlehem of Judea,
in the days of King Herod,
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
Reflection:
The Magi were people on a quest, looking for
more in their lives. If they had been satisfied with the way things were, they
would have stayed put. Change began for them because God made the first move and
showed them a light in their darkness. They didn’t have to follow that light,
they could have chosen to stay put, satisfied with the status quo. But they
picked up and began a journey that eventually took them to Christ.
So, we ask ourselves:
- Am I hearing a call to a deeper and more
personal relationship with Christ?
- What steps do I need to take to begin to
move in that direction?
POSTCARDS TO DEATH ROW INMATES
“One has to strongly affirm that condemnation
to the death penalty is an inhuman measure that humiliates personal dignity, in
whatever form it is carried out."
---Pope Francis
Inmates on death row are the most forgotten
people in the prison system. Each week I am posting in this space several
inmates’ names and locations. I invite you to write a postcard to one or more of
them to let them know that: we have not forgotten them; are praying for them and
their families; or, whatever personal encouragement you might like to give them.
If the inmate responds, you might consider becoming pen pals.
Please write to:
- James Jaynes #0654093 (On death row since
6/3/1999)
- William Anthony #0206197 (6/4/1999)
- Iziah Barden #0491889 (11/12/1999)
----Central Prison, P.O. 247,
Phoenix, MD 21131
Please note: Central Prison is in
Raleigh, NC., but for security purposes, mail to inmates is processed through a
clearing house at the above address in Maryland.
For more information on the Catholic position
on the death penalty go to the Catholic Mobilizing Network:
http://catholicsmobilizing.org/resources/cacp/
On this page you can sign “The National
Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty.” Also, check the interfaith page for
People of Faith Against the Death Penalty: http://www.pfadp.org/
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FIRST IMPRESSIONS Archive
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• 2nd SUNDAY •
• Baptism of the Lord •
• EPIPHANY •
• HOLY FAMILY •
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