COLLECT SERIES
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| THE MASS: ICON OF COLLECT SERIES. |
COLLECT
The Collect for the Feast of the Epiphany reads as follows:
O God, who on this day revealed Your
Only Begotten Son to the nations
by the guidance of a star,
grant by Your mercy, that we, who love
You already by faith,
may be brought to behold the beauty of
Your sublime glory.
Though our Lord Jesus Christ Your
Son,
who lives and reigns, with You in the
unity of the Holy Spirit
one God for ever and ever.
GOSPEL REFLECTION
In Chapter 2 of St Matthew's Gospel, there are 4 stories interwoven into
the chapter namely
1. The Visit of the Magi,
2. The flight into Egypt,
3. The Massacre of the Innocents and
4. The return from Egypt.
It should be noted that in today's
Gospel we hear only the first part of the story- the visit of the Magi. However,
since today is also the closing of the Christmas season, I have chosen to
reflect on the whole of chapter 2 to present the 4 interwoven stories to
give a complete picture. After all the visit of the Magi are our last Christmas
characters to emerge.
The Magi were probably wise men who
studied astrology, but later tradition portrays them as kings, who because of
their knowledge knew that the star that appeared for them was something they
had to follow. Their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh symbolised Christ’s
royalty, divinity and passion.
They listened to what Herod had to say
to them, giving him respect, but were not drawn into his dishonest behaviour,
since they seemingly seemed aware of his insincerity and fear.
REACTIONS OF HEROD AND THE MAGI
It is interesting to note the reaction
of Herod who was governed by power and who
- felt threatened at the
possibility there may be another king (someone to threaten his job),
- played the game pretending
he wanted to worship also (sought out information about the threat and how
he might overcome the enemy).
The Magi however stayed focused on what
they came to seek- they were guided by the star, which filled them with delight
because it helped them find what they came to seek- Jesus, Mary and Joseph in
the manger. They were able to do him homage and offer their gifts.
We then encounter the flight into
Egypt. Joseph is not a procrastinator. He does what the angel tells him
without delay ' He got up and taking the child and his mother with him
left that night for Egypt.' One senses the urgency and the worry and
the fear of knowing that Herod wanted Jesus killed- not the type of start to
being the foster father of Jesus that Joseph may have hoped for. Yet,
Joseph as we know was a man of faith and believed in God's providence towards
him and Mary. His faith and obedience to God sustained him in this difficult
journey.
The wise men and Joseph’s fear of Herod
is justified as we read the next phase of chapter 2 where Herod has all male
children up to the age of 2 killed since he was outwitted by the wise men. He
took revenge because he did not get his own way and made as many people suffer
because of it.
Then in the final section of this
chapter is the story of Joseph returning with Mary and the baby from Egypt
after Herod’s death back to the land of Israel. However, as Herod’s son
had succeeded Herod, Joseph was warned in a dream not to go there but settled
in the region of Galilee- at Nazareth.
What can we learn for our lives from
these 4 connecting stories in this chapter?
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
This week as we reflect on chapter 2,
we may wish to:
- Stay focused and to give the
Christ child homage, by bending our knees and offering our gifts to Him.
We need to place God first in our lives at all times
- Be guided by the light of
the star of faith just as the wise men followed the signs given to them.
God gives us signs to follow through the church and the sacraments.
- Be attentive to what God is
telling us to do. We need to be pro-active and responsive as Joseph. Spend
some time in reflection to hear what God is speaking to us.
- Have compassion for parents
who suffer and grieve through loss of a baby/child either through miscarriage,
abortion or tragedy. We may wish to learn more about the issue of abortion
- Be alert and listen to the
stirrings of God within us, since He desires the best path for us.
May the Feast of the Epiphany give you
some special blessing today and throughout this coming week.
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