Pastor's Message

Feast of The Epiphany- January 04, 2026

“The star came and stopped where the Child was; and on entering the house they saw the Child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage.”   Matthew 2.1-12

             “Arise, Jerusalem, and look to the East and See, your children gathered from the rising to the setting of the Sun.” These are the words of Prophet Baruch, chapter five, verse five; announcing the re-congregating of humanity anew; a miracle enabled by God alone; after the dispersal at the Tower of Babel. 

              The Almighty, all powerful came among us; as an ordinary infant, dependent and lying on the manger on Christmas Night, and up to then, we can say, only the Angels, Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds knew of his Presence among his People.

             Epiphany, marks the day of great joy, when the prophecy of Prophet Isaiah in the first reading of today was fulfilled; “Nations shall come to your light, and Kings to the brightness of your dawn.” This Day was in fulfillment to the promise made to Abraham by God; “I will make you a Father of a Great Nation and All the Nations of the Earth will be Blessed through You.”

             In the Gospel Reading, St Matthew the Evangelist, himself, a Jew, saw this day as the opening of the doors of Salvation to all Peoples, announcing, that the privilege exclusive to Israel was extended to the whole of humanity! 

          “Where is the Newborn King of the Jews?” The Magi asked. “We saw his star at its rising and have come to do Him homage.”

            These Kings are representative of the Gentile World in all its diversity; coming to Christ. Their coming to Jerusalem was not by chance; this was in the plan of God, and was the fulfillment of the prophesy of Isaiah, in the 1st reading; “From Midian and Ephah; From Sheba shall come…they come bearing Gold and Frankincense, and proclaiming the Praises of the Lord.” (Is 6o:1-6)

             Epiphany is the day of our first calling as Gentiles!  Our pride is that these first Gentiles responded with great generosity. In a diligent search, they made a journey of faith following the beckoning of the Star and they witnessed the generosity of the Love of God. 

            Matthew writes; “The star came and stopped where the Child was; and on entering the house they saw the Child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage.” Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts; Gold - signifying his Kingship, Incense- his Divinity and Myrrh - predicting his redemptive Suffering.

Mathew the Evangelist tells us that the Kings “were overwhelmed with Joy.”

            The Star had led them to Jesus. Notice, that it was not they, who discovered Jesus, but Jesus revealed himself to them! 

            Their generous response and their journey led them to him, beginning the great procession that continues to our day; “The Humanity Pilgrimage to God Our Father through Christ Jesus our Savior! This was in fulfillment of what we proclaim in the Psalm; “Lord every Nation on Earth will adore You.”

             But notice the stark contrast, in attitude, between the Magi and the King and people in Jerusalem; I am surprised and shocked at the indifference and fear in Jerusalem.

           These two parties asked the same question; “Where is the Newborn King of the Jews?” But with very different responses! One led to an overwhelming joy for the Magi; the other led by King Herod, jealous and in fear of losing influence and power, this led to the deaths of the innocent infants of Bethlehem.

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