A Reflection on today’s readings and they all connect: Isaiah 60:1-6;
Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12
The feast of the
Epiphany celebrates one of the most beautiful moments in salvation history: the
manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles. In today's readings, we witness God's
plan unfolding like dawn breaking over the horizon. Isaiah's prophecy rings out
with joy: "Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory
of the Lord shines upon you." These words, spoken centuries before Jesus'
birth, announce a radical truth, that God's love would not be confined to one
people, but would illuminate all nations. The prophet sees a vision of peoples
streaming toward Jerusalem, drawn by a light they cannot resist. This is not
merely poetic imagery; it is the promise that God's salvation would reach every
corner of the earth, every human heart that seeks Him.
Saint Paul's letter
to the Ephesians reveals the mystery that was hidden for ages: the Gentiles are
now "coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in
Christ Jesus through the gospel." This was scandalous news in Paul's time.
The dividing wall between Jew and Gentile, which seemed permanent and ordained,
had been demolished by Jesus. The Magi; these pagan astrologers from the East, represent
the first fruits of this great harvest. They followed a star, yes, but they
were really following the deepest longing of the human heart: the desire to
worship the one true God. Their journey reminds us that God places within every
person, regardless of background or belief, a restlessness that can only find
rest in Him. The light of Jesus calls to us all, wherever we may be in our
journey.
Matthew's Gospel
gives us the beautiful scene we know so well: the Magi presenting their gifts
of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the newborn King. But notice what happens
first, they must ask for directions. Despite their wisdom and their star, they
need the Scriptures to complete their journey. Herod's scribes could quote the
prophecies perfectly, yet they never made the short trip to Bethlehem. The
Magi, by contrast, had less knowledge but greater humility and desire. This
teaches us something profound: head knowledge alone is not enough. We must,
like the Magi, be willing to undertake the journey, to bend the knee, to offer
what is most precious to us. Their gifts are symbolic: gold for His kingship,
frankincense for His divinity, myrrh for His suffering and death. They somehow
understood that this child would be everything, King, God, and Savior through
sacrifice.
The connection to
the Rosary becomes clear when we consider the Luminous Mysteries, which Pope
John Paul II gave us to contemplate Jesus' public ministry and manifestation to
the world. The Epiphany is itself a luminous event, the light of Jesus revealed
to the nations. When we pray the Baptism of the Lord, the first Luminous
Mystery, we recall another epiphany: the Father's voice declaring, "This
is my beloved Son," and the Spirit descending like a dove. Each Luminous
Mystery, the Wedding at Cana, the Proclamation of the Kingdom, the
Transfiguration, the Institution of the Eucharist, shows Jesus manifesting His
glory in different ways. Just as the Magi were led by a star to encounter
Jesus, we are led through the mysteries of the Rosary to encounter Him more
deeply. Mary, who presented Jesus to the Magi, continues to present Him to us
through this prayer, guiding us as the star guided the wise men.
Today's feast
challenges us to examine our own journey toward Jesus. Are we willing to follow
the light even when the path is uncertain? Do we approach Him with gifts, not
gold and frankincense, but the offering of our very selves? The Epiphany
reminds us that Jesus came for everyone, that no one is too far away, too lost,
or too unworthy to be found by His light. Like the Magi, we must be willing to
take risks, to leave our comfort behind, to bow down in humble adoration. And
like them, having encountered Jesus, we must "depart for our country by
another way", changed, transformed, unable to return to life as it was
before. The light has come. The only question is whether we will follow it
home.
Questions for Reflection:
• The Magi had to consult the Scriptures to find Jesus even though they
had the star. How do I balance personal spiritual experiences with the wisdom
and teaching of my Catholic faith?
• What "gifts" is Jesus asking me to lay at His feet, what am I
holding back that He desires me to surrender completely?
• The Magi "departed for their country by another way" after
encountering Jesus. In what concrete ways has encountering Jesus changed the
direction of my life?
• Herod's scribes knew where the Messiah would be born but never went to
worship Him. Do I sometimes possess knowledge about God, and how Jesus has changed
my life, without letting it move my heart to action and devotion?
• How might praying the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary help me see
Jesus being "manifested" or revealed in the everyday moments of my
own life?
• Am I willing to be a light that draws others to Jesus, as the Church is
called to be a beacon to all nations, or do I hide my faith when it might be
costly or uncomfortable? At times am I ashamed or afraid to boldly share my
faith and my love for Jesus? How might I overcome this?
©2026 James Dacey, Jr., OFS
