The Catholic Church on the 8th of January celebrated the Epiphany of the Lord. In our context, Epiphany here means the appearance of Jesus in the human scene. I mean, everything was up until then ‘normal’ until Jesus showed up.
The chief priests, elders of the church, scribes of the people and all those who held power at that time were perplexed at the speed at which Jesus suddenly gained popularity at their expense.
Immediately the eyes of the people turned from the guile, bigotry and deceitful ways of those who were meant to be their leaders in faith, and turned to Jesus, a common carpenter’s son.
“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?” [Matthew 13:55]
Still in the mood of Christmas we are reminded of the significance of the Biblical Magi, the “Three Wise Men” or “Three Kings” who due to their appearance following the light, a star, made us experience the salvation we see today.
“And so they left, and on their way they saw the same star they had seen in the east. When they saw it, how happy they were, what joy was theirs! It went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was” [Matthew 2:9 – 10]
We are encouraged to always follow the light of Christ in this New Year, and when we find the light, we are called to share that light with others.
The appearance of our Lord, He who was made flesh, and dwelt amongst us was made manifest so as to destroy the works of the devil; creed, lustful desires, corruption, material worship and all other vices experienced in our world today.
The appearance of our Lord in our present time can only count for something if we at least, try hard to practice the greatest of all the commandments, and that is to show love.
Selah.