Reflection for Sunday January 7, Solemnity of The Epiphany of the Lord: Matthew 2:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” 

When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.” 

Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. 

They were overjoyed at seeing the star, 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 of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who was thinking of something that he can give Jesus this 2024. So, he was asking himself: What can I give Jesus this year being the year of Prayer? Then, he immediately answered his question by saying; “I will be prayerful and I will teach others how to pray. 

The Magi from the East presented extraordinary gifts to the baby Jesus—Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Gold symbolized Jesus' kingship, Frankincense signified that the child Jesus was to be worshipped, and Myrrh, traditionally used for anointing the dead, foreshadowed His eventual death on the cross. 

What is the best gift you could give Jesus this year? Is it your time and strength for the furtherance of the gospel, or is it your treasure and knowledge? Whatever it may be, give Jesus nothing less than your very best. Do not mind what it will cost you; you have to give Jesus what He truly deserves, for He is your Lord and Savior.  

Sometimes it is very hard to give especially if we will not immediately receive something in return. Many of us find it difficult to give to Jesus because He does not physically reciprocate our generosity. 

But, where can we find Jesus in this era of social media such as facebook, twitter, instagram and so forth? Can we find Jesus in these social media platforms? No, we cannot find Jesus there.  

Jesus is in the poor you pass by every day, in the hungry and homeless you always see, and in anyone who desperately needs your help. Have you ever felt the desire to give them something, but you held back? 

Don’t hold back when you see or pass by them again. Give them something, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem to you. For that something means the world to them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas