The Star of Bethlehem has become an icon. We, Filipinos, continue to immortalize it through our parols during Christmas. We’re also a starstruck people. We idolize stars in showbiz, music, sports, etc. We forget that a star should actually serve as light or a guide pointing to something or someone. 

Stars help sailors and travelers in navigation, direction, or as points of reference. The wise men saw the star—and came to worship Jesus. They did not worship the star itself, no matter how brilliant, amazing, and awesome it might have looked. As another New Year greets us, let us be discerning of the stars that we look at, follow, and want to become like. Let’s be careful of worshiping the star. 

Remember that the star should simply point to the Real Star—Jesus, our Lord.

Go, follow your star that leads you to worship Him! Alvin Barcelona (apb_ayo@yahoo.com) 

Reflect:

What or who are the stars that you follow or want to emulate this New Year? Do they lead you to the Real Star, Jesus? 

Dear Lord, thank You for another brand-new year. May I continue to follow stars—people, dreams, and goals in life—that ultimately lead to You. Amen. 

St. John Neumann, bishop, pray for us.

First Reading | Isaiah 60:1-6

The prophecies of Isaiah often speak of light. For us Christians, it is the Word of God —the Gospel—that is the light we’ve been given to share with the world. Today’s world is a troubled place with much conflict and darkness. Let its pray for the grace to be bearers of the light of Christ. 

¹ Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. ² See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory. ³ Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. ⁴ Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. ⁵ Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. ⁶ Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the Lord. 

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13

R: Lord, every nation on earth will adore you. 

¹ O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king’s son; ² he shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment. (R) ⁷ Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more. ⁸ May he rule from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. (R) ¹⁰ The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts; the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute. ¹¹ All kings shall pay him homage, all nations shall serve him. (R) ¹² For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. ¹³ He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save. (R) 

Second Reading | Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6

The Letter to the Ephesians is filled with mysterious imagery. However, there is one thing that should never be a mystery to us—the love of God. Sometimes, it is difficult to experience His love amid trials and difficulties. But it is also during these times that He manifests His love. Let us pray to have the faith to find God’s love and welcome it into our lives. 

² Brothers and sisters: You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit, ³ namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. ⁵ It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, ⁶ that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 

Gospel | Matthew 2:1-12

The Feast of the Epiphany celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the world. We celebrate Jesus as the revelation of the Father, and that in His life, we can see the Father. Let us accept this awesome gift and use it to enrich our faith. Let’s thank the Father for making His love known to us through the life of Jesus. 

Gospel Acclamation

We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage. 

¹ When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, ² saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” ³ When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ⁵ They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: ⁶ 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.” ⁷ Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. ⁸ 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.” ⁹ 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. ¹⁰ They were overjoyed at seeing the star, ¹¹ 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. ¹² And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. 

Read the Bible in one year! Read LUKE 17 - 20 today.

What Completes You? 

Now that’s the question, isn’t it? Deep down, we all sense a restlessness that, at times, may be silenced but never fully quelled. Even after all our successes, we are painstakingly aware that it’s still there, and we just can’t let it go. 

To that, the Magi in today’s Gospel would probably say: “We know! Tell us about it!” I’d like to think that’s why we find them hundreds of miles away from home. 

Fun fact: In the Bible, there is no mention of them being kings. This was assumed because of the expensive gifts they brought. Also, at the time, only the super rich would take a long trip like theirs. Another assumption: since they were able to chart the stars and even interpret foreign prophecies, they were probably among the most educated and cultured in their society. Wealthy, wise, and well respected, what on earth could these men still be missing? 

Yet there they were, at the end of a long pilgrimage that left them poorer and wearier, but finally, at long last, complete—for they had met the one who brought their missing peace: Jesus. 

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany—God’s manifestation. And while we look to the skies for odd-moving stars or misplaced angelic choirs, know that God’s most powerful manifestation in your life is that gentle, persistent, ever-burning desire already inside you—God, your one true home.

So, don’t cover it up or silence it. Stop with the empty pleasures or hollow treasures that only satisfy fleetingly then leave you hungrier. Instead, befriend that inner voice. Listen to that whisper, and let it grow into God’s song. For He won’t stop singing to you. He won’t stop lighting your way. He won’t stop bringing you home. Go on. Step bravely on this journey. Your epiphany awaits. Fr. Albert Garong, SSP

reflection question

How is God present in your pursuit of your greatest dreams and desires? 

Help me find in You, Lord, my life’s fulfillment and purpose. Amen.

Today, I pray for: _______________________________________