The Epiphany of the Lord

01-06-2019Weekly Reflection©2018 Liturgical Publications, Inc.

"Behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying 'Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.'" How strange to journey so far for perhaps so little. Of course the magi go to the capitol city. Of course they entreat with King Herod. Of course this is where they expect newborn royalty to be. But where is the child? "In Bethlehem of Judea," the scribes say. And so the magi go on to what is yet another Christmas miracle.

We don't know where the magi met the Christ Child, but it cannot have been lavish. Perhaps it was the stable. Perhaps it was a small hovel Joseph had found to wait out the census. But it would have been the home of a laborer, worn and threadbare. Here, in this unassuming abode, the magi are still "overjoyed...they prostrated themselves and did him homage."

Have you ever gotten to the end of a great work and found the results to be underwhelming? How did you respond? Were you disappointed or elated at God's providence and your upended expectations? The magi journeyed hundreds of miles over treacherous terrain to pay homage to royalty they have seen prophesied in the stars. They encountered an ordinary family displaced from their home. This Sunday, the magi are an example for us. Can we see God in the unexpected? Do we encounter Him in the person who doesn't fit our expectations of propriety? Do we revere Christ's presence in the poor? Or do we expect to meet God only in places of honor and esteem? This week, ask God for the grace to honor Him in the unexpected places and unassuming people. He is waiting for you!

La Epifania del Señor

Que tu estrella, Señor, nos guíe y nos ilumine todos los días de nuestras vidas. Que Tu presencia nos sostenga en la salud y en la enfermedad, en la alegría y en la tristeza, y que por medio de ella te manifiestes ante cada circunstancia de la vida cotidiana. Hoy, la Liturgia celebra la Epifanía del Señor. Epifanía quiere decir manifestación de una cosa. En este caso Jesús se manifiesta a los Reyes Magos y por medio de ellos, al mundo entero. Los Magos le adoraron y le ofrecieron regalos de oro, incienso y mirra. El Profeta Isaías lo anuncia así: "Los pueblos se dirigen hacia la luz y los reyes, al resplandor de tu aurora. Levanta los ojos a tu alrededor y contempla: todos se reúnen y vienen a ti; tus hijos llegan de lejos y tus hijas son traídas en brazos" (Isaías 60, 4-4).

La fiesta de los magos es una fiesta de Dios entre nosotros, aun es Navidad - ¡no lo olvidemos! Dios invita a personas de diferentes razas y culturas a descubrir que Jesús nos trae el regalo de la integración, no de la desunión. El Himno Litúrgico de este día nos invita a llenarnos de alegría y a orar todos juntos. "Reyes que vienen por ellas, no busquen estrellas ya, porque donde el sol está no tienen luz las estrellas".

¿Cómo se ha manifestado Jesús en tu vida? ¿Qué le ofreces tú a Jesús? ¿Qué estrellas buscas? La respuesta, ojalá, es una de compromiso y entrega generosa para los pobres, los inmigrantes los enfermos y los abandonados. Señor, manifiéstate hoy a mí, aquí, en esta Eucaristía. Escucha mis deseos y mis sueños...no tengo nada, solo un corazón para amarte.

BACK TO LIST