“We have seen his star in the East, and have come to adore the Lord” ( Matthew 2:2)

In the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Emmanuel’s light radiates beyond the Holy Family and the shepherds, that ‘tiny remnant of Israel,’ to illumine all nations ( see Benedict XVI Homily January 6, 2006).
As in Isaiah’s prophecy,  “nations shall come to Your light, and kings to the brightness of Your dawn…They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord” ( Isaiah 60:3,6).
The magi kings offer these appropriate gifts in response to the glory of the Lord, shining to the heavens and dispelling the darkness over the earth and the people of the nations (Isaiah 60:1-2).
The Epiphany reveals God’s eternal plan of salvation to all people in all nations, beyond the initial prophecies to Israel ( Ephesians 3:6).

Like the magi, we disciples of Christ are seers of His light and hearers of His Word in the gospel.
We must witness to the radiance of the kingdom of God, and freely offer to all the Word of God - the Way, the Truth, and the Life  (John 1: 1-18;  John 14:6).


Image: Abraham Bloemaert, The adoration of the Magi