Cortez: Reflection on the Epiphany of the Lord

Today is Epiphany Sunday. Based on the gospel according to St. Matthew (Mt 2:1-12), let us have a short reflection on the significance of the gifts offered by the wise men to the baby Jesus ─ gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold, a highly valued metal, symbolizes that Jesus Christ is our king. Frankincense, an aromatic resin, points to Jesus as our eternal high priest; and myrrh, a substance used in embalming the dead foreshadows Jesus as the Savior who will suffer death for the redemption of our souls.

Jesus is a king because he is the Son of God. He is the second Person of the Holy Trinity and is thus God himself who, in addition to his divine nature, also took the human nature in the form of the baby born of Mary in Bethlehem. Jesus as God-king owns everything, and everyone is subject to him. David proclaims, “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world and those who live in it” (Ps 24:1), while Paul declares, “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen” (Rom 11:36). Jesus is therefore not an ordinary king or royalty; he is the King of kings and the Lord of lords (Rev 17:14, 19:16; 1 Tim 6:15). This new year, may we then resolve to offer him the good fruits of what, in reality, are simply lent to us ─ our treasures, talents, time, and our very own selves.

Jesus is a priest because, in addition to preaching, teaching, healing, and doing good, he offered the perfect and holy sacrifice of himself on our behalf. In the Old Testament, the priests offered animal sacrifices for the people. In the New Testament, Jesus offered his own body on the cross so that anyone who truly believes in him in word and in deed will no longer be condemned to hell for his sins but will inherit eternal life in heaven. Jesus is thus not an ordinary priest; he is our eternal high priest who sits on the right hand of the Father praying for us. Paul wrote, “What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son but gave him up for all of us, how will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ who died, or rather, who was raised, who is also at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us” (Rom 8:32-34). Given this privilege, should we not enjoy God’s grace? The ancient people did not have direct access to God; we have. We can always pray to Jesus who is our Emmanuel, the God who is with us. This new year, may one of our top resolutions be to spend more time communicating with him ─ telling him our hearts’ content and also listening to his promptings.

Jesus was the victim offered in sacrifice. Yes, he died but he lived again and will do so for all eternity. And we who put our faith and trust in him, will, like himself, also die someday but will resurrect from the dead. We take hold of the following verses, “So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body; it is raised a spiritual body” (1 Cor 15:42-44). Jesus conquered death for us. Our lives in this world may end at the appointed time, but our lives in heaven will be forever. This 2023, may another resolution of ours be to take not only the temporal but also the eternal perspective in our decisions and actions. Let us not think and act as if we will stay on this earth forever, or as if everything ends in death. As we become busy attending to the concerns and cares of daily living, and as we enjoy the fruits of our labors, let us not forget to prepare for what counts most, and that is the eternal destination of our souls.

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