The Epiphany of Our Lord |
Taken from Fr. Alban Butler's Lives of the Saints.
The word "Epiphany" means "manifestation," and it has passed into
general acceptance throughout the universal Church, from the fact that
Jesus Christ manifested to the eyes of men His divine mission on
this day first of all, when a miraculous star revealed His birth to the
kings of the East, who, in spite of the difficulties and dangers of a
long and tedious journey through deserts and mountains almost
impassable, hastened at once to Bethlehem to adore Him and to offer Him
mystical presents, as to the King of kings, to the God of heaven and
earth, and to a Man withal feeble and mortal. The second manifestation
was when, going out from the waters of the Jordan after having received
Baptism from the hands of St. John, the Holy Ghost descended on Him in
the visible form of a dove, and a voice from heaven was heard, saying,
"This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased." The third
manifestation was that of His divine power, when at the marriage-feast
of Cana He changed the water into wine, at the sight whereof His
disciples believed in Him. The remembrance of these three great events,
concurring to the same end, the Church has wished to celebrate in one
and the same festival.
Reflection.—Admire the almighty power of this little Child,
Who from His cradle makes known His coming to the shepherds and magi—to
the shepherds by means of His angel, to the magi by a star in the East.
Admire the docility of these kings. Jesus is born; behold them at His
feet. Let us be little, let us hide ourselves, and the divine strength
will be granted to us. Let us be docile and quick in following divine
inspirations, and we shall then become wise of the wisdom of God,
powerful in His almighty power.
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