January 7, 2024 - Epiphany Sermon

Old Testament: Isaiah 60:1–6
Psalm: Psalm 24; antiphon: v. 7
Epistle: Ephesians 3:1–12
Gospel: Matthew 2:1–12
Introit: Psalm 72:1–2, 10–11; antiphon: Liturgical Text
Gradual: Isaiah 60:6b, 1
Verse: Matthew 2:2b

The Lord God Is Manifested in the Incarnate Son
 
The Feast of the Epiphany centers in the visit of the Magi from the East. In that respect, it is a “Thirteenth Day” of Christmas; and yet, it also marks the beginning of a new liturgical season. While Christmas has focused on the Incarnation of our Lord—that is, on God becoming flesh—the season of Epiphany emphasizes the manifestation or self-revelation of God in that same flesh of Christ. For the Lord Himself has entered our darkness and rises upon us with the brightness of His true light (Is. 60:1–2). He does so chiefly by His Word of the Gospel, which He causes to be preached within His Church on earth—not only to the Jews but also to Gentiles (Eph. 3:8–10). As the Magi were guided by the promises of Holy Scripture to find and worship the Christ Child with His mother in the house (Matt. 2:5–11), so does He call disciples from all nations by the preaching of His Word, to find and worship Him within His Church (Is. 60:3–6). With gold they confess His royalty; with incense, His deity; and with myrrh, His priestly sacrifice (Matt. 2:11).