EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

Israelis and some Arabs, India and Pakistan, Cambodia and Vietnam, the Sinhalese and Tamils in Sri Lanka, violent factions in Somalia, and even conflict arising in Mindanao are just a few of the conflicts in the World that got international attention. The easiest word to give to those who use arms in their propaganda is to tag them as “terrorist”.
It has been more than 2000 years since the birth our Lord Jesus Christ and was foretold that all will worship him. Until now we know the world is still divided and many conflicts are going on. Looking at our readings today on this Feast of Epiphany suggests that Jesus is indeed for the World. However, sometimes our wrong responses to this truth lead us somewhere else. The popular Crusade of the Church can be attributed to its passion or excuse to spread and defend Jesus Christ. It is no secret that even the infamous “Holocaust” was started and done by Christians. Even colonialism in the world’s history is colored by Christian nations’ arrogance.
It is therefore helpful to reflect once again on our readings today. Since it is the feast of Epiphany, they might help us how to make Jesus known throughout the world. Our first reading says:
Nations shall walk by your light,and kings by your shining radiance.Raise your eyes and look about;they all gather and come to you:your sons come from afar,and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.
If we try to reflect on these words, we can see that it is being foretold. Never has it been said that nations will be forced to adore you. I am not regretful that I am a Christian because of Spain, but I am saying that the tools of spreading the Lordship of Christ as foretold should never be by force. Jesus himself lived that truth. During his time, even if he himself was rejected by his own people, he never encouraged his companions to use the sword. The good thing in our First reading is that it says, “they all gather and come to you.” When will this be? We know that not yet all the nations but we can see that it is happening and not by force.
In our Responsorial Psalm we read,
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;the lives of the poor he shall save.
This is for me a very good reason why every nation will adore Jesus Christ. When the world can see how Christians because of their faith in Jesus “rescue the poor when he(/she) cries out”, “the afflicted when he(/she) has no one to help him(/her)”, “have pity for the lowly and the poor” and the lives of the poor he(they) shall save.” Do we do this in our own areas? I know of some who help the needy and the afflicted regardless of their religion and faith. But sometimes what pains me is when we Christians cannot even help our own Christian brothers and sisters who are in need. What does this say about us? Is this scenario an encouraging phenomenon that makes other worship Christ? Even as Catholics, being unmindful of our brothers and sisters is a shameful truth. Many would even accuse the Roman Catholics as the cause of corruption and poverty in the land. I tend to disagree but looking at our situation makes me think that maybe it is true. Most of our corrupt officials are schooled in Catholic Institutions. What message do they get from our Catholic institutions? Is the care for the needy being emphasized? Is the Church openly progressive enough to state what is Christian and what is not? It is my dream that Philippines, as dominantly catholic country, will someday shine to become one of the beautiful and peaceful place to be where there is mutual understanding among tribes and faiths.
In our second reading we have this phrase from the Letter of St Paul,
It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealedto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body,and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
This alone can tell us how we should look at our brothers and sisters. Before, it was their belief that Christ is only for the Jews. But as Paul said, a revelation came and was made clear to him and the Apostles that Jesus is for all. This means that Jesus’ coming and offering of his life was not only meant for Christians but to the world. Let us savor this good news that Jesus is for all the people. When we have this in mind, it will make us think of people of other faith as not lesser than us. We will not be calling people as pagans because they do not believe in Jesus. Knowing alone that Christ was killed also for them make our orientation towards others shift from being self-centered to becoming other-centered. Isn’t that great that even if they are not Christians we can still love them and share our gifts to them? However, it is also important to start on our own backyard. If I find it hard to love my fellow Christian brothers and sisters who are in need, how sure am I that my love towards my non-Christian brothers and sister is rooted from Christ. The key is to treat everyone as part of the Body of Christ. They may be Christian or not. Religion is not an issue in practicing love and concern.
In our Gospel we have different responses,
The first one is this line,
“behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?We saw his star at its risingand have come to do him homage.”
These Magi were from the East. They must have been searching for the truth. They were given the sign, the star, to find the truth. We know that they end up finding and worshipping Christ. Everyone who seeks will find the truth as long as one is serious of his/her search. The Gospel was so clear that even those who haven’t heard of Jesus if they are searching will find him. We don’t need to force them. This is the reason why in our missions the emphasis is not anymore geared towards converting people. Mission now is more geared towards sharing our gifts to other parts of the world. We only baptize them when they come and express their desire to become Christians. This is what I think, and I hope I am right. If it happens that others will not find Christ. We should not be worried as long as we live out and share our faith the best we can. Let Jesus think about that. We are asked to make Jesus known throughout the world through our lives, not force Jesus throughout the world through arms.
The other response was given by Herod,
He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child.When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.”
We can see that Herod seemed to have a good intention, but in reality we know that his intention was not to worship but to kill Jesus. We cannot deny that many are threatened by the Kingdom of God. Many missionaries were killed because of this thought. They feel that missionaries are threats to their kingdom. Our Gospel is telling us that it must be expected. Missionaries can be murdered for living out his/her faith. Many martyrs died already because of this and we enshrine them in our Church. This is Christian life. We are always at risk when we face those who hate Jesus. It is better to die in Jesus name, than to die for our name.
So dear ones, on this Feast of Epiphany we are told to share the gifts of our faith. Jesus was born and had been revealed. He was not born just to hide in the manger. The reason of Epiphany is to make Jesus known throughout the world. To make the world know that God’s love for us is being shown through Jesus in a tangible body. But we do this not by force but by the way we live our faith. We may experience persecution in the process, but this should not stop us. Like the Magi we can choose other path by avoiding conflict as much as possible.
May Jesus Christ our savior be revealed through our lives! May we manifest Christ in the World! Happy Feast Day!