Epiphany of the Lord

January 8

At the Mass during the Day

Collect:

O God, who on this day
revealed your Only Begotten Son to the nations
by the guidance of a star,
grant in your mercy
that we, who know you already by faith,
may be brought to behold the beauty of your sublime glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Reflection:

The collect can be found in the Hadrian Sacramentary. In the latter part of the eighth century, this prayer has been used during the feast of the Epiphany. This prayer and this feast expand that the manifestation or the revelation of God is not to just to the Jews but to all the nations.

The prayer shows us that the Son of God, born human like us in all things but sin. It reveals to us that Jesus is truly human. The Latin word “gentibus”, translated “to the nations”, is the same word used in the Second Vatican Council Decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church. Its Latin title is “Ad gentes” because it begins with those words that translate “to the nations”.

The Magi are guided by the star in looking the King of the Jews – Jesus Christ. They are the representative to the nations. They are guided by God to show them the light of all peoples. God shows to us the path of salvation. He invited us to participate into his life – eternal life. The incarnation of Jesus leads us to redemption – paschal mystery.  It is by the eyes of faith that we can truly know God. The faith that leads us to behold the beauty of the sublime glory God. In seeking God, we must open our eyes with faith in order to pay homage to the King of kings, Jesus Christ.

Epiphany is the revelation of salvation of God. Let us open ourselves and embrace God by opening our eyes of faith to receive Jesus in our life. Amen.

Source: http://anglatak.blogspot.com/2017/01/the-revelation-of-salvation.html