LA EPIFANÍA DEL SEÑOR 2024

Queridos hermanos y hermanas, con la fiesta de la Epifanía del Señor, que celebramos este domingo, la Iglesia católica manifiesta que Jesús vino al mundo no solo para salvar al pueblo de Israel, sino para ser el Salvador de toda la humanidad. La palabra epifanía significa manifestación o revelación, por eso la Visita de los Magos es interpretada por la Iglesia como el reconocimiento para todos los pueblos de la Tierra de que Jesús es su Salvador.

El profeta Isaías anuncia bellamente en su profecía que Jerusalén se convertirá en el centro del mundo, donde todos los pueblos irán con sus riquezas a rendir tributo al Señor. Esta profecía se cumple con la visita de los Reyes Magos de Oriente, que llegan de tierras lejanas para render tributo a Jesucristo, el Rey de las Naciones, recién nacido.

Los Magos fueron conducidos por una estrella hasta Jerusalén, donde pensaban que el Mesías debía encontrarse en la casa de Herodes. Al llegar y preguntar, comprendieron que el Mesías no había nacido allí, sino en Belén, y se dirigieron allí para adorarlo en la sencillez de un pesebre. Los Magos adoraron al niño y le ofrecieron sus dones, y al regresar a sus lugares de origen, lo hicieron por otro camino para no encontrarse con el tirano Herodes, que quería matar a Jesús. A continuación, señalemos cuatro ideas importantes en este relato:

1.    Los Magos eran buscadores que buscaban a Jesucristo y no pararon hasta encontrarlo y adorarlo. Tuvieron la mirada fija en el cielo, pero no se limitaron a mirarlo, sino que se pusieron en camino hasta encontrar al Mesías. En tu vida, ¿a quién sigues? ¿Sigues a Jesús o a alguna «estrella» famosa? ¿A dónde te conduce tu estrella? ¿Esa estrella hace algo por ti. 

2.    Los magos llegaron al lugar equivocado. Hay un refrán que dice: «Dios escribe derecho con letras torcidas». Los magos se equivocaron en la interpretación de la estrella que, en un primer momento, los llevó a Jerusalén, donde se encontraron con Herodes, y después a Belén. De igual manera, nosotros también nos podemos equivocar a veces al interpretar los signos de Dios, por eso debemos preguntar y dejarnos guiar.

3.    Los magos cambiaron de camino: la primera vez, al llegar a Jerusalén y descubrir que ese no. era el lugar que buscaban; y la segunda, al ser advertidos por el ángel de no volver, porque Herodes quería matar al niño. ¿Tú en tu vida eres capaz de cambiar de camino o de cambiar tus planes cuando estás equivocado o no corresponden al plan de Dios? ¿Te dejas guiar cuando estás equivocado?

4.    Los magos buscaban a Jesús para adorarlo y ofrecerle sus regalos: oro, incienso y mirra, que representaban lo mejor que ellos tenían, y se postraron para adorarlo. ¿A quién buscas tú? ¿Has pensado en darle algún regalo a Jesús?

Queridos hermanos y hermanas, pidamos hoy a Dios que su Estrella siga guiando nuestros pasos por el buen camino y nos conceda la gracia de reconocerle en la humildad y sencillez de nuestra vida. Por último, ofrezcámosle nuestro tiempo y nuestro corazón como el mejor de nuestros dones, como nuestro mayor regalo. Feliz día de los Reyes Magos.

P. Luis Segura M.S.C

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THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD 2024

Dear brothers and sisters, with the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, which we celebrate this Sunday, the Catholic Church manifests that Jesus came into the world not only to save the people of Israel, but to be the Savior of all humanity. The word epiphany means manifestation or revelation, which is why the Visit of the Magi is interpreted by the Church as the recognition by all the peoples of the Earth that Jesus is their Savior.

The prophet Isaiah beautifully announces in his prophecy that Jerusalem will become the center of the world, where all peoples will go with their wealth to pay tribute to the Lord. This prophecy is fulfilled with the visit of the Magi from the East, who come from distant lands to pay tribute to Jesus Christ, the King of the Nations, who has just been born.

The Magi were led by a star to Jerusalem, where they thought the Messiah must be in Herod's house. When they arrived and asked, they realized that the Messiah had not been born there, but in Bethlehem, and they went there to worship him in the simplicity of a manger. The Magi worshipped the child and offered him their gifts, and when they returned to their places of origin, they did so by another route so as not to encounter the tyrant Herod, who wanted to kill Jesus. Below, let us point out four important ideas in this story:

1.    The Magi were seekers who sought Jesus Christ and did not stop until they found and worshipped him. They kept their eyes fixed on the sky, but they did not just look at it; they set out on their journey until they found the Messiah. In your life, who do you follow? Do you follow Jesus or a famous “star”? Where does your star lead you? Does that star do something for you?

2.    The Magi arrived at the wrong place. There is a saying that says: “God writes straight with crooked letters.” The Magi made a mistake in interpreting the star that first led them to Jerusalem, where they met Herod, and then to Bethlehem. Likewise, we can sometimes make mistakes when interpreting God’s signs, so we must ask and let ourselves be guided.

3.    The Magi changed their course: the first time, when they arrived in Jerusalem and discovered that it was not the place they were looking for; and the second time, when they were warned by the angel not to return, because Herod wanted to kill the child. Are you ever able to change your course or change your plans when you are wrong or they do not correspond to God's plan? Do you let yourself be guided when you are wrong?

4.    The Magi were looking for Jesus to worship him and offer him their gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh, which represented the best they had, and they fell down to worship him. Who are you looking for? Have you thought about giving Jesus a gift?

Dear brothers and sisters, let us ask God today that his Star continue to guide our steps along the right path and grant us the grace to recognize him in the humility and simplicity of our lives. Finally, let us offer him our time and our heart as the best of our gifts, as our greatest gift. Happy Three Kings' Day.

Fr. Luis Segura M.S.C

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The Mystery of the Humble and Poor King…

Today, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, is the celebration of the manifestation of Jesus, symbolized by light. In the prophetic texts this light is a promise: light is promised. Isaiah, in fact, addresses Jerusalem with these words: “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you” (60:1). The prophet’s invitation — to arise because the light has come — seems surprising, because it occurs in the aftermath of the harsh exile and of the numerous oppressions that the people have experienced.

Today this invitation also resonates for us, who have celebrated the Birth of Jesus, and it encourages us to allow ourselves to be reached by the light of Bethlehem. We too are invited not to stop at the outward signs of the event, but to set out from it once again and to undertake anew the experience of our journey as men and women, and as believers.

The light that the Prophet Isaiah had foretold, is present and encountered in the Gospel. And Jesus, born in Bethlehem, the City of David, has come to bring salvation to those near and far: to everyone. Matthew the Evangelist reveals various ways by which one can encounter Christ and react to his presence. For example, Herod and the scribes of Jerusalem have a hard heart, which obstinately refuses the visit of that Child. This is one possibility: to be closed to the light. They represent those who, even in our day, fear Jesus’ coming and close their heart to brothers and sisters who need help. Herod is afraid of losing power and does not consider the true good of the people, but rather his own personal advantage. The scribes and the chief priests of the people are afraid because they do not know how to look beyond their own certainties; they are thus unable to understand the newness that is in Jesus. Instead, the experience of the Magi is quite different (cf. Mt 2:1-12). Having come from the East, they represent all the faraway peoples of the traditional Hebrew faith. Yet they allow  themselves to be guided by the star and face a long and perilous journey just to arrive at the destination and to know the truth of the Messiah. The Magi were open to ‘novelty’, and history’s greatest and most surprising novelty is revealed to them: God-made-man. The Magi prostrate themselves before Jesus and offer him symbolic gifts: gold, incense and myrrh, because seeking the Lord entails not only perseverance on the journey but also generosity of heart. And lastly, they returned “to their own country” and the Gospel states that they returned “by another road”. Brothers and sisters, each time that a man or woman encounters Jesus, he or she changes paths, returns to life in a different way, returns renewed, “by another road”. They returned “to their own country”,  bearing within them the mystery of that humble and poor King; we can imagine that they told everyone about the experience they had had: the salvation offered by God in Christ is for all mankind, near and far. It is not possible to “take possession” of that Child: he is a gift for all.

Let us also have a bit of silence in our heart and allow ourselves to be illuminated by the light of Jesus that comes from Bethlehem. May the Virgin Mary — star who guides us to Jesus and Mother who shows Jesus to the Magi and to all those who approach her — support us on this journey. [Synthesized from Pope Francis, Angelus, 6 I 2019]

Fr. Rajesh M.S.C.

Epiphany of the Lord

When I was a young boy, Epiphany had a very different meaning to me than it does today.  I didn’t know Epiphany meant:   “The manifestation of God.”

I thought it meant it was time to put the Manger away.  It meant the end of Christmas.  We put up the tree on the Sunday before Christmas.  We took the tree down on New Year’s Day.  And, the Manger stayed on the fireplace mantle until January 6th - Epiphany.

To me, Christmas was the big day.  That was the day we got the gifts.   And, as a child, gifts were important.

In Mexico, Epiphany (known as "Día de los Reyes" or “Day of the Kings”) is a very important day with important family traditions.  Epiphany is the day for giving and receiving of gifts.  Also, there is a festive meal, including the “King Cake.” Please see Our Lady of Solitude’s bulletin for additional information.

Does Epiphany hold any special memories for you ?

As I look back over the years, Epiphany was always kind of vague – kind of abstract, intangible. I have known Epiphany as:

·        Little Christmas

·        The Twelfth day of Christmas

·        The Feast of the Three Kings

·        The Feast of the Three Wise Men

·        The Feast of the Three Magi

Were they astronomers? Or, were they astrologers?

Were there really    THREE????

According to “Dictionary.com” – Epiphany is “A sudden manifestation of the essence of something.”  It is, “the comprehension of an invisible reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization…” 

In other words, The Light Bulb Goes On !!

Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come!!

The Magi (or Wise Men) were following the light – a star – a visible sign  – looking for an invisible reality. They were not only bringing gifts to the newborn king, they were using  their God-given gifts to find Jesus – the Newborn King of the Jews.  And, they found him – by using their gifts  - especially the gift of OPENNESS.

They were open to use their INTUITION…

They were open to use their intelligence – their knowledge of the heavens.

They were open to use their gift of wonder…

They were open to use their money; their property, their camels, their tents, ALL THESE  RESOURCES – in their search – and, they found him !!!  EPIPHANY !

They found the MANIFESTATION of the invisible reality – They found Jesus, the manifestation of GOD.

You know, the Magi were different than many men.   They actually stopped and asked for directions.  They asked for advice, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews ?”

I think the most profound advice they received came from the mouth of Herod – the one who would try to kill Jesus, “Go, and search diligently for the child.” 

What great advice for us!!  “……..Go, and search diligently for Jesus.”

Use our God-given gifts!  We all have them!  Use them to search diligently for Jesus!

We can use our gift of Intuition.

Our gift of Wonder.

Our intelligence.

We can use our resources!

…………We can use our openness – and we will find Jesus…  EVEN - if Jesus is in a seemingly unlikely place:

Like in the words of Herod.

Or in the eyes of a street person.

Or a gang banger, a prostitute, a drug addict, – a drug dealer ???

We might find Jesus in someone of a different color, culture, language – or faith.

Or maybe we’ll find Jesus in someone who has been alienated from our church – or our family.

My friends, each time we open the doors of our hearts – and see Jesus in another person, we celebrate Epiphany.  The manifestation happens again.  The Invisible Reality becomes visible.

And, I think – when this happens – we are like the Wise Men – after they encountered Jesus.  They went back home by another road.

When we encounter Jesus, we are changed…

We can’t return by the same road we started out on...

When we encounter Jesus, we’re never the same…..