The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, today, The Epiphany of the Lord, remind us that the mission to share the blessings of Jesus' birth continues for all who have witnessed the Presence of God on their journey.
The Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah proclaims the Dawning of Divine Glory for Zion and the expectation that the Nations will Come to Zion.
* [60:1–9] The light the prophet proclaims to Zion symbolizes the blessing to come to her: the glory of the Lord, the return of her children, the wealth of nations who themselves will walk by her light. The passage is famous from its use in the Latin liturgy for the feast of Epiphany. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 60 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 72 declares the Israelite king, as the representative of God, is the instrument of divine justice.
* [Psalm 72] A royal Psalm in which the Israelite king, as the representative of God, is the instrument of divine justice (Ps 72:1–4, 12–14) and blessing (Ps 72:5–7, 15–17) for the whole world. The king is human, giving only what he has received from God. Hence intercession must be made for him. The extravagant language is typical of oriental royal courts.
* [72:2] The king’s son: the crown prince is the king’s son; the prayer envisages the dynasty.
* [72:8] From sea to sea…the ends of the earth: the boundaries of the civilized world known at the time: from the Mediterranean Sea (the western sea) to the Persian Gulf (the eastern sea), and from the Euphrates (the river) to the islands and lands of southwestern Europe, “the ends of the earth.” The words may also have a mythic nuance—the earth surrounded by cosmic waters, hence everywhere. (Psalms, PSALM 72 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Reading from the Letter to the Ephesians reflects on Paul’s Commission to Preach God’s Plan.
* [3:1–13] Paul reflects on his mission to the Gentiles. He alludes to his call and appointment to the apostolic office (Eph 3:2–3) and how his insight through revelation, as well as that of the other apostles and charismatic prophets in the church (Eph 3:4–5), has deepened understanding of God’s plan of salvation in Christ. Paul is the special herald (Eph 3:7) of a new promise to the Gentiles (Eph 3:6): that the divine plan includes them in the spiritual benefits promised to Israel. Not only is this unique apostolic role his; Paul also has been given the task of explaining to all the divine plan of salvation (Eph 3:8–9), once hidden. Through the church, God’s plan to save through Christ is becoming manifest to angelic beings (Eph 3:10; cf. Eph 1:21), in accord with God’s purpose (Eph 3:11). The fulfillment of the plan in Christ gives the whole church more confidence through faith in God (Eph 3:12). The readers of this letter are also thereby encouraged to greater confidence despite Paul’s imprisonment (Eph 3:13).
* [3:1] A prisoner of Christ: see Introduction. Paul abruptly departs from his train of thought at the end of Eph 3:1 leaving an incomplete sentence.
* [3:2] Stewardship: the Greek is the same term employed at Eph 1:10 for the plan that God administers (Col 1:25) and in which Paul plays a key role.
* [3:3–4] The mystery: God’s resolve to deliver Gentiles along with Israel through Christ; cf. notes on Eph 1:10; 3:9. (Ephesians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Matthew proclaims The Visit of the Magi.
* [2:1–12] The future rejection of Jesus by Israel and his acceptance by the Gentiles are retrojected into this scene of the narrative.
* [2:1] In the days of King Herod: Herod reigned from 37 to 4 B.C. Magi: originally a designation of the Persian priestly caste, the word became used of those who were regarded as having more than human knowledge. Matthew’s magi are astrologers.
* [2:2] We saw his star: it was a common ancient belief that a new star appeared at the time of a ruler’s birth. Matthew also draws upon the Old Testament story of Balaam, who had prophesied that “A star shall advance from Jacob” (Nm 24:17), though there the star means not an astral phenomenon but the king himself.
* [2:4] Herod’s consultation with the chief priests and scribes has some similarity to a Jewish legend about the child Moses in which the “sacred scribes” warn Pharaoh about the imminent birth of one who will deliver Israel from Egypt and the king makes plans to destroy him.
* [2:11] Cf. Ps 72:10, 15; Is 60:6. These Old Testament texts led to the interpretation of the magi as kings. (Matthew, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)
Rev. Rashmi Fernando, SJ, comments that Paul, in the Letter to the Ephesians, further proclaims the heart of the Epiphany mystery—the Gentiles (foreigners) are “coheirs, members of the same body”—revealing God’s saving plan has no ethnic, cultural, linguistic, religious, or any other boundaries whatsoever.
The Gospel brings this revelation into a concrete, human story as the Magi, foreigners, guided by a star, search for that light with courage, humility, and perseverance. Herod, by contrast, feels threatened by the same light and responds with fear and deceit. When the Magi finally encounter God’s revelation, their journey culminates not in power or certainty, but in humility and vulnerability. They offer their treasures and then return home “by another way”—a powerful transformation from darkness to grace, from exclusion to inclusion, and from fear to freedom.
Hence, let us ask ourselves:
1. Having celebrated the birth of Christ, am I willing to be led by His light and revelation in the New Year 2026?
2. Like the Magi, what “treasures” am I called to surrender, perhaps the things I find difficult to let go?
3. In my lifework and in the world today, what does it mean for me to “return by another way”, and what must I do to “take a new road” in 2026? (Fernando, 2026)
Don Schwager quotes “The glory of Christ's divinity is revealed,” by Chromatius (died 406 AD).
"Let us now observe how glorious was the dignity that attended the King after his birth, after the magi in their journey remained obedient to the star. For immediately the magi fell to their knees and adored the one born as Lord. There in his very cradle they venerated him with offerings of gifts, though Jesus was merely a whimpering infant. They perceived one thing with the eyes of their bodies but another with the eyes of the mind. The lowliness of the body he assumed was discerned, but the glory of his divinity is now made manifest. A boy he is, but it is God who is adored. How inexpressible is the mystery of his divine honor! The invisible and eternal nature did not hesitate to take on the weaknesses of the flesh on our behalf. The Son of God, who is God of the universe, is born a human being in the flesh. He permits himself to be placed in a manger, and the heavens are within the manger. He is kept in a cradle, a cradle that the world cannot hold. He is heard in the voice of a crying infant. This is the same one for whose voice the whole world would tremble in the hour of his passion. Thus he is the One, the God of glory and the Lord of majesty, whom as a tiny infant the magi recognize. It is he who while a child was truly God and King eternal. To him Isaiah pointed, saying, 'For a boy has been born to you; a son has been given to you, a son whose empire has been forged on his shoulders (Isaiah 9:6).'" (excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 5:1)
[Note: Chromatius was an early Christian scholar and bishop of Aquileia, Italy. He was a close friend of John Chrysostom and Jerome. He died in 406 AD. Jerome described him as a "most learned and most holy man."] (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 2:1-12 comments that God's desire is that everyone would seek him, and that in their seeking, they would all find him. As St. Paul proclaims in our second reading, “The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body” (Ephesians 3:6).
Even now, Jesus is the “true light, which enlightens everyone” (John 1:9). That includes you. No matter who you are or what you have done, his light is shining upon you. It’s shining upon the people you love. It’s shining upon everyone. Jesus draws to himself all who are seeking truth and goodness, everyone who recognizes their longing for meaning, everyone who is searching for answers to their deepest questions.
Rejoice and be glad! Jesus your light has come!
“Thank you, Jesus! Your light is always leading me closer to you.” (Meditation on Matthew 2:1-12, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that 3rd Isaiah, written after the exile in Babylon, declares the light that is coming upon the people. The caravans are foretold to pay homage to a new born king. The message of mercy and love is revealed to Gentiles as coheirs. The Magi are not Jews. They were likely astronomers, perhaps from Persia. In Matthew’s Gospel the Magi received a message of the birth of a King for the Jews. The star of Bethlehem has been suggested as a super nova or a comet. What was the “Star”, an event in 7 BCE when Jupiter and Saturn were aligned in Pisces, interpreted as “A King is Born for all time”? God ‘s plan is in the time log. The Magi quote Micah who hated the politics of city life. Descendants in the line of David were present in a small town, Bethlehem. Micah indicated the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem and Magi brought gifts of gold for a king, frankincense to be offered to God, and myrrh for anointing dead bodies. They had to bring small precious gifts while travelling. Friar Jude notes that they returned by a different path responding to the dream of Herod’s intention to kill the child.
CAC faculty member Brian McLaren introduces the 2026 Daily Meditations theme: “Good News for a Fractured World.” Across every traditional Christian denomination, there are widespread calls for change. Imaginative scholars, liturgists, organizers, networkers, and pastors are creating resources and spaces for beautiful new things to be born….
These redeemers of Christianity are out there, by the hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands. Catholic and Protestant, Pentecostal and Mainline, Eastern Orthodox and other … I know them. Some are heads of communions, bishops, seminary presidents, and professors, with well-known names, with best-selling books and big platforms. Some are pastors and church planters, leading and forming faith communities of all shapes, sizes, and denominations. Some are nuns, friars, Catholic workers, organizing for the common good. Some are podcasters, publishers, bloggers, producing creative content to help in the transition process. Some are artists, integrating needed truth with arresting beauty. Most are quiet people, living ordinary lives of extraordinary love and grace. When they’re attacked, they keep moving forward with humble, gracious confidence. When they’re discouraged, they find new inner strength. When they think about leaving Christianity, which probably happens quite often, they say, “Not today. Not me.” You know this is true, because there’s a good chance that you’re one of them….
It will never be perfect. Of course. It’s a human enterprise, and we humans complicate everything. But at least this emerging Christianity could become humble and teachable, curious and self-critical, creative and humane, diverse and harmonious. [2] (McLaren, n.d.)
We reflect on the “Epiphany” of the Magi and ponder our own understanding of the revelation of the Love of God through the people and events in our journey.
References
Ephesians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/3?2
Fernando, R. (2026, January 4). Daily Reflection January 4, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-january-4-2026
Isaiah, CHAPTER 60 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/60?1
Matthew, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/2?1
McLaren, B. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC.org. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/falling-apart-coming-together/
Meditation on Matthew 2:1-12. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/01/04/1464912/
Psalms, PSALM 72 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/72?1
Schwager, D. (n.d.). They Fell down and Worshiped Jesus. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
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