God is with us always

    

The Epiphany of the Lord

07 January 2024

 

First Reading: Is 60:1-6

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13

Second Reading: Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6

Gospel: Mt 2:1-12

 

Reflection

By: Jose Paulo Gonzales

Have you ever had someone inquiring after your affairs? This could be anything from an innocent check-up plainly curious about your current whereabouts – and this may come from genuine concern; but alternatively, there is also what Herod displayed towards the Christ to be born – an inquisitive prodding with hidden motives. Herod told the wise men to go into Bethlehem to see the Child so he may “come to adore Him”, which we later come to know is an incipient attempt at having Jesus killed shortly after His birth.

The Gospel today shows us that despite the different reasons people come to check on us, there is much Cause for rejoicing in the birth of Christ. I could remember Nathaniel asking challengingly, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). We know Nazareth to be the place where Jesus grew up, and not unlike Bethlehem, Nazareth was a quaint town from which townspeople and village folks of then would not expect something good would originate.

The highest jubilation is only fitting for this eventful occurrence as the Savior that would bear all our sins, the One that would expiate our sins through His death, the One that would rise again to destroy the stronghold of death to win us salvation and eternal life in Heaven… He is here, Emmanuel: God, indeed, is with us.

Such joyous was the moment of Christ’s birth that it made little distinction whoever came. The urge to come must have been too significant that it mattered only little how worthy anyone felt about joining in! Such is Christ’s cohesive quality. Truly, people from different walks of life felt nonetheless welcome to witness and participate! The noble wise men, the shepherds, and even stable animals were all part of the heavenly entourage! Interestingly, the welcoming atmosphere surrounding Christ’s birth in the manger we would also find interspersed in the Bible… in the very language He would use to refer to and ultimately to invite us all – then, the Jews, and now, the Gentiles, too!

Scrolling through our Facebook or Instagram feeds, we could have seen the different ways the Christmas belen or crèche was set up – all embodying the fundamentals of Jesus’ birth, but some have been so enthused as to include today’s significant social events. I remember a belen that was pressed right in the middle of dilapidated slabs of concrete with steel bars jutting out – all to depict the wreckage of war – but more especially so – the undying presence of hope. The belen was posted on Facebook by Rev. Fr. Treb Futol and is situated in the Our Lady of The Pillar in Pilar, Sorsogon.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10160646264657928&set=pcb.10160646265462928

While different interests of today would instigate in some the drive to wage or prolong wars, may we never forget the always gleaming hope we have in Christ. This does not mean to diminish our hardships or mute them as if they are not felt or are not there. In this world, we will have trouble (John 16:33), and the poor, we will always have with us [which does not only mean financially poor but also the circumstantially poor – those impoverished by difficult encounters] (Mark 14:7); but if we do not give up, in due time with the Lord, we will reap our harvest if we continue to do good (Galatians 6:9-10) – to us, this means to step out in faith, spurred on no less by hope, ignited all the way by love. There is cruelty in the world not because there is an absence of God, but rather, there remains good however desperate it can get because God is here – with us, always… Emmanuel, Emmanuel.

Prayer

Lord God, thank You for the Present of Yourself this Christmas. If it were not for Your birth, passion, and resurrection, we would not enjoy living, whether here on earth or where we will settle for eternity if You will – in Heaven.

While living on earth, may we not forget to live for you and others; and in times we fail, please give us the drive, the courage, and the follow-through to restart and recommit ourselves to You and others.

May we live Christmas in our hearts as we live for You and Your beloved every day.

In Jesus’ most holy Name, Amen.