Today's Gospel - January 8, 2012 with Reflection

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

1^st READING - Isaiah 60:1-6

P S A L M - Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13

R: Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

2^nd READING - Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.

 

Matthew 2:1-12

1 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: 6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. 8 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.” 9 After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 They were overjoyed at seeing the star, 11 and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

SABBATH

MODERN EPIPHANIES   Epifanio delos Santos is a famous name in the annals of Philippine history. His name has been made more famous because a major thoroughfare in Manila, which used to be called Highway 54, was named after him. This road rose to international fame because of the bloodless revolution that took place along that very highway in 1986. When the famed EDSA revolution reached its peak on February 25, this road teemed with millions of people. I remember hearing this from a radio commentator during those perilous times. It was reported that soldiers from above (in choppers, perhaps) have already been given orders to crush the revolution. But what they witnessed from the sky prevented them from starting an assault — the throngs of people along EDSA and Santolan Road formed a cross. And it just made those soldiers shudder with the thought that they would attack the cross formed by those people fighting for freedom. I recall vividly how the radio announcer described the experience, “It was a real Epifanio delos Santos or Epiphany of Saints. Those people came in droves and formed, albeit unwittingly, the symbol of their liberation. In their zeal to topple the forces that oppress them, they have manifested the forces of the good, the forces of the saints.” Today we celebrate the greatest of all epiphanies, God’s manifestation of the God-self to humanity. And just as we marvel at how divine epiphanies can effect change, we pray that God will see us worthy to behold His divine countenance as we truly strive to be drawn by His manifestation to an authentic transformation of our own lives. Fr. Sandy V. Enhaynes   REFLECTION QUESTION: How has the Lord manifested Himself to you lately?   When I am down and out, Lord, please manifest Yourself to me. And when someone is in need of Your presence, let me manifest You to him.