The Epiphany

Happy, blessed, and healthy New Year 2025. I wish you my best when we begin this New Year. At the same time, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your Christmas wishes, prayers, gifts, candies, cookies, and your spiritual support.

I would like to thank you all who were directly or indirectly involved in celebrating Christmas as one Christian family. Thank you for decorating and cleaning the Church. Thank you for setting the manger in the garden and decorating the grounds around our Church.

Today, we are celebrating Epiphany Sunday. This special Feast commemorates the revealing of Jesus as the Christ to the Gentiles. In some European countries this Feast is known as the "Twelfth Night" (aster Christmas).

The original purpose of the Feast of Epiphany, which had its beginning in the Eastern Church during the 3rd century, was to commemorate how the glory of Christ was revealed to the Gentiles. Such took place in four ways:

1.  in the person of the Magi

2.  in the Baptism of Jesus;

3.  in the first miracle at Cana; and

4. When reviewing the early history of this celebration, it comes to our attention that the Birth of Christ was also included in the Feast of Epiphany.

Of these four, the baptism of Jesus was predominantly commemorated.

In today's First Reading, Isaiah gives hope to the Israelites that the promised Messiah would soon rise among the people and that His glory would be seen by all.

the First Reading speaks of the joy of the Israelites. It speaks of Jesus Christ, the Light, who is given to the world through God's chosen people.

It speaks of the three wise men who would find and adore the Lord Jesus, the Light of the World.

In the Second Reading, Saint Paul says that we have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given for you, and how the mystery was made known to him by revelation that the Gentiles. The Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.

The Gospel Reading relates to us the event of the three wise men who followed the star that led them to the Child Jesus. They followed the brilliant star in the sky. To them, the light of the star was a symbol of hope, of joy and of peace. To them, the star was but a small reflection of the fullness of the Light of the world that awaited them at the end of their journey.

This week, let us reflect upon the Light of Christ that has come upon us. Let us correct what needs to be corrected so the fullness of our light may shine forth in all things for the glory of God.

                               May God bless all of us,

                                               Fr. Dariusz

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