Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord （C）
Isaiah 60.1-6・Ps.72.2+4,7+8,10+11,12+13・ Ephesians 3.2,3b,5-6・Matthew 2.1-12
From a simple manger where the Infant Jesus can be seen with Mary and Joseph, we continuously create a kind of manger presenting other images with meaningful symbols such as the star, different types of animals that can be seen in a manger. Until we reach the narration about the visit of the three Magi to the location of the child Jesus. Since we have been making a manger every year according to our understanding and feelings, perhaps making it has become a big part of our preparation and celebration of the great holiday season. When we visit our neighboring parishes, we will see at least few differences in the mangers. We can understand that every crib we see in every parish church, and its differences symbolize or reflect what each community in the parish has (especially the depth of faith of a community).
Our liturgy today is sometimes considered the Feast of the Three Kings for some. Sometimes someone even greets us with "Happy three Kings." May the story of the Magi finding Jesus lead us to a heartfelt celebration of the Great Feast of the Manifestation of the Lord in our midst, in which in the first place is even more emphasized to us today. In the context of our celebration today, we understand that the visit of the three Magi to the where the baby Jesus was means the first appearance of the Lord to the Gentiles and to all mankind. Today`s Feast declares the first physical appearance of Jesus in His Divinity to humanity.
Learning things from the life of Jesus from His infancy, we also come to reflect on some other revelation accounts of Jesus' divinity. We have His Baptism in the Jordan River, as well as the first miracle that occurred at the wedding in Cana Galilea. These are all considered as manifestations of Jesus` divinity.
Ours is on deepening our faith in Jesus our Lord and Savior. May our constant realizations from the life of Jesus from the very start of His “earthly life” give clarity to all of us on how to live with people and in this world. As we constantly clarify our life anchored in Jesus, ours is a desire for true peace in our hearts and in the whole world.