For Epiphany Sunday, the liturgy presents Matthew's story about the visit of the magi from the East. Read the articles indicated below and use the rest of this page as your guide for reflection:
- "Guided by a Star"
- Workshop: Visitors from the East
- Mag-aral Tayo: Ang Pagdalaw ng mga Taga-Silangan (Mateo 2:1-12)
- Bibliya Tagala: Ang Pagdalaw ng mga Mago
1. The previous section in Matthew 1:18-24 shows Joseph being guided by a heavenly being, an angel. <--break-->In this story, another heavenly being -- a star -- guides the "wise men". Joseph is guided so that he can fulfill the will of God. The wise men are guided by the star in their discovery of the Wisdom of God incarnate, God's will to save enfleshed in Mary's child. In both these cases, we find "heavenly beings" as guides that point to something higher than themselves.
Reflect: "Heaven" -- God's realm -- is alive with messengers from God. He not only sends angels, but also a star to do His bidding. The stars are His army (cf. Psalm 147:4) created so as to serve the nations (cf. Deut.4:19). If God can bid a star to lead others to Christ, can He not also bid you to do the same?
In the article cited above, I write:
The identification of Bethlehem, the birthplace of King David, as the place of birth of the Christ (1:16) is made by priests and interpreters of the law on the basis of Scriptures. The magi who are also priests and, in their own right, interpreters find the place with the help of a star only after Herod has informed them of what the Scriptures has indicated (2:8 ). But while the magi do find the Christ, the priests and interpreters of the Law do not. The representative of the Gentile nations find Jesus with the help of nature and the Scriptures. Christian wisdom posits two books: the book of nature and the book of Scriptures. In the present case, both complement each other in the discovery of Jesus.
Reflect: If nature and Scriptures complement each other, should there be a contradiction between faith and science? Explain your answer.
The priests and interpreters of the law found "Bethlehem" in the Scriptures but they are not the ones who find Jesus. Do you find here an instance where Scriptures alone is not enough for experiencing God's will? Explain your answer.
3. Jesus Christ is the "Light of all Nations". The Paschal candle represents this truth about Christ. He is the light that shines on in the darkness (Isaiah 9:2; 60:1-3; cf. John 1:9).
Reflect: How do you make Christ the light of your life?
