Generous Gift and Giver

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

04 January 2026

 

First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

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

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

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

 

Reflection

By: Ma. Rosalina S. Flores

 

What gifts did you receive and give this Christmas?

In today's Gospel as we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord, we heard how the Magi (Wise Men) brought gifts to the infant Jesus as they paid him homage. Each gift had meaning: gold symbolized Jesus as King, frankincense pointed to His priesthood, and myrrh foretold His suffering and death.

The Epiphany, however, is not only about the gifts. It is about the revelation of Jesus to the world. The Magi were Gentiles, showing us that Jesus came not just for a chosen few, but for everyone. His kingship, priesthood, and saving love are offered to all, without exception.

In the same way, Christmas is more than presents, food, and decorations. It is a celebration of relationships and encounters. As we continue this Christmas season, let us focus more on the relationships in our lives, those that are “organic,” as we might call them today, rather than the things that are carefully curated.

May we offer our presence more than presents, our genuine care more than gift cards, and our love beyond fleeting laughter, especially this new year.

Prayer

Father, thank You for the greatest gift, Your Son, our Savior. Help us to follow Your example by giving generously, not only in material things, but also in our time, kindness, and love. Amen.

Journeying With Hope

   

The Epiphany of the Lord

05 January 2025

 

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: Anton B. Ocampo

 

The Sunday after the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God is dedicated to the very special celebration of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (although some places like Rome still celebrate it on its traditional date, January 6, regardless of what day the said date falls). This solemn celebration highlights the very long journey of the Wise Men, also known as the Magi, in search of the one true King who is none other than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Wise Men followed the Christmas Star, the Star of Bethlehem, as they journeyed in search of the Lord Jesus. 

The Wise Men did not need to make the lengthy journey from their place of origin in the East. When they arrived in Jerusalem, they went to ask Herod about the whereabouts of the newborn King, only to find out that he knew nothing about the Divine Child's whereabouts. In fact, Herod needed the chief priests and scribes to learn about it. At that point, the Wise Men could have just given up and returned to their country of origin. Everything was just a waste of time and effort for them. 

However, the reason why the Wise Men continued was because of hope. If we could ask them why they decided to continue on their journey, they would have probably said that they were still clinging to the remaining hope that they had in their hearts, even though it was little and fading at that point, for the Star of Bethlehem to appear once again to guide them to wish to the Child Jesus. If another group were in their place, they would have just given up, even if the Star of Bethlehem would show up once again to guide them. But not the Wise Men. The Wise Men were heavily motivated by the little hope that they had left.

Hoping in the Lord God is the theme of the readings for today's Solemnity. The promise of the Lord God to Israel featured in the First Reading are words of hope. The light of the Lord will shine through Israel, letting everyone know that He is the one true God who everyone must hope in and worship. Saint Paul the Apostle in the Second Reading stressed that God has fulfilled His promise in the Old Testament through Christ Jesus. By sending Christ Jesus as the fulfillment of the promise He made in the Old Testament, God has given hope to everyone. The Responsorial Psalm stresses our response to God should be - adoration and worship. By doing so, we strongly proclaim that God is our only hope, enabling us to completely trust Him.

Like the Wise Men, let us continue journeying our lives with hope. Let us allow the hope the Lord brings to fill our hearts to live according to God's will and calling - a life of holiness. 

Prayer

O Most Divine Child Jesus, we thank You for willingly filling our hearts with hope, even though we do not deserve it. Help us to accept this gift that You freely give us wholeheartedly. Amen.

But Wait, There's More

The Epiphany of the Lord
03 January 2010


Come, let us worship Christ, who has appeared to us.

First reading Isaiah 60:1-6
Arise, shine out, Jerusalem, for your light has come,
the glory of the Lord is rising on you,
though night still covers the earth
and darkness the peoples.
Above you the Lord now rises
and above you his glory appears.
The nations come to your light
and kings to your dawning brightness.
Lift up your eyes and look round:
all are assembling and coming towards you,
your sons from far away
and your daughters being tenderly carried.
At this sight you will grow radiant,
your heart throbbing and full;
since the riches of the sea will flow to you,
the wealth of the nations come to you;
camels in throngs will cover you,
and dromedaries of Midian and Ephah;
everyone in Sheba will come,
bringing gold and incense
and singing the praise of the Lord.

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 71:1-2,7-8,10-13

Second reading Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6
You have probably heard how I have been entrusted by God with the grace he meant for you, and that it was by a revelation that I was given the knowledge of the mystery. This mystery that has now been revealed through the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets was unknown to any men in past generations; it means that pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body, and that the same promise has been made to them, in Jesus Christ, through the gospel.


Gospel Matthew 2:1-12
After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews?’ they asked. ‘We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.’ When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ‘At Bethlehem in Judaea,’ they told him ‘for this is what the prophet wrote:
And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah,
for out of you will come a leader
who will shepherd my people Israel.’
Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared, and sent them on to Bethlehem. ‘Go and find out all about the child,’ he said ‘and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.’ Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward, and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. But they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way.

Reflection
By Gharri Tulabut

“But Wait There’s More” so goes the popular TV shopping phrase. Just when we thought Christmas season is over, look again, there’s more. We still have today’s celebration – the Epiphany of the Lord - which is popularly known as the feast of the Three Kings or Magi or Wise Men. Whether these men were rulers, astrologers or simple travelers, for me, they represent the elite, the successful people, the superstars, the rich, the politicians, or simply those who had a wonderful year last year as compared to those who suffered tragedies, hunger, injustice, oppression, failure, or poverty who, on the other hand, were represented by the shepherds (see my Jan 1 reflection).

“But wait there’s more” is more than just about an extension of the season. For me this is a call for those who are so much blessed in life but still haven’t discovered the Lord in their lives. I say “But wait, there’s more”, there’s more to life than material things and success. I am not saying these blessings are evil. Rather, these blessings can become instruments to seek the mother of all blessings. That is finding true happiness in the Lord. Like the magi, let us seek the king that was born and serve Him. Offer the gifts of gold (i.e. charity), frankincense (i.e. church service), and myrrh (i.e. new life in the Spirit). Let’s follow His star and we will be on the right path. And once we found Him, let us not go back to Herod (i.e. sin) instead, let us be the guiding star and light the path for others who also wish to witness the Lord’s Epiphany in their lives.


Father, thank You for showering us with blessings. May we become blessings to others so that they, too, may experience You in their lives. Amen.


Next week on God-speak
Whoever Loves the Most Makes the First Move