Epiphany means “an apparition, or manifestation” of God becoming visible to the Gentile world. Today Jesus manifests a new “kingdom” (Introit), to which the starlight of “faith” guides all wise men (Prayer).

The Epistle is a revealing picture of the “darkness” of the Jewish Old Testament; a prophecy also of the “brightness” of Christ shining in a world where men may now “see.”

The Gospel tells of the faith of the “Magi” divinely guided by the ‘star”; how this faith manifested itself in action by their seeking instruction from God’s priests, by prostrating their very beings and offering their best treasures before the frail Babe in Mary’s arms: GOLD in homage to His new Kingship, symbol of their hearts offering love; INCENSE in home to His Divinity, symbol of their minds offering adoration; MYRRH in homage to His Humanity, symbol of their bodies offering to do penance.

A truly great Feast! “Arise, be enlightened”(Epistle).

Excerpted from My Sunday Missal, Confraternity of the Precious Blood