SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A, 2026 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

Sirach 15:15-20; Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34; 1 Corinthians 2:6-10; Matthew 5:17-37

We read in the first reading, “[God] has set before you fire and water; to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand. Before man are life and death, good and evil, whichever he chooses shall be given him.” All our choices and actions have their responsibilities and consequences. Bad choices and actions have bad responsibilities and consequences, while good choices and actions have good responsibilities and consequences. This is in line with the natural law of cause and effect. Moses says, “I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the Lord, your God, obeying his voice, and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you…” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).

In the second reading, St. Paul reminds us that human wisdom is not enough in our choices and decisions. We need God’s wisdom which is given to us by the Holy Spirit. Wisdom is the first of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord). The Holy Spirit who “scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God” calls us to a deeper and intimate relationship with God which human wisdom cannot provide.

We pray for the wisdom of God to guide us, so that our choices and decisions are for our good and for God’s glory. However, we need to acknowledge that there are times we are not free to make choices and decisions by ourselves or for ourselves. Nature sometimes chooses or decides for us. Men and women sometimes choose or decide for us. God sometimes chooses or decides for us. During such moments, we rely on God’s divine providence and on the fortitude of the Holy Spirit to hold out. During such moments, the Prayer of Serenity become very meaningful: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”

Religious leaders would have accused Jesus of undermining the law and the prophets with his teachings and actions, which is why, in today’s gospel, Jesus tells them that he came not to abolish the law or the prophets but to fulfill their true purpose. In his Sermon on the Mount (today’s gospel is its continuation), he shocked the religious leaders by asserting to have a higher authority than Moses (who gave them the law he received from God). They were shocked by the divine mandate with which Jesus contrasts four areas of the law contained the Books of Moses (The Torah):

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, …” “But I say to you, …”

“You have heard that it was said, …” “But I say to you, …”

“It was also said, …” “But I say to you, …”

“Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, …” “But I say to you, …”

In the four areas of the law, Jesus points out some aspects of human relationship which the people then and we now neglect very often:

1) One may not have committed murder, but how about prolonged anger, hate, humiliation, unforgiveness, and lack of reconciliation?

2) One may not have committed adultery, but how about lust, self-abuse, pornography, and other obscenities?

3) On the area of divorce, it was a patriarchal society at that time. Rights and privileges of women were grossly suppressed. Women were very vulnerable. In our own time, do we make efforts to see that the vulnerable receive justice and protected from the clutches of aggressors? Do we make effort to see that the rights and privileges of the weak and the voiceless are not denied them?

4) At that time, swearing oaths by dishonest people to bypass the process of finding out the truth was rampant. Dishonest people swear manipulative oaths to cover up lies and at times claim ownership of what did not belong to them. Jesus’ directive, “But I say to you, do not swear at all; …” is not interpreted as an elimination formal, legal, or solemn oaths. Rather, Jesus challenges us to live lives of honesty and integrity. Which is why he says, “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.” “Do not swear at all” is not taken literally but understood to maintain absolute honesty and integrity. Jesus warns us against manipulating truth and justice, which comes from the evil one.

May God’s wisdom, given to us by the Holy Spirit, guide us to make right choices and decisions, and live lives of justice, fairness, honesty and integrity. Amen.

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A 2026 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

Isaiah 58:7-8; Psalm 112:4-9; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus says in today’s gospel, “You are the salt of the earth.” Salt is very essential to human’s health. Lack of it adversely affects the functioning of body cells, nerves, muscles, and bones. Salt is used to season food to enhance flavor and taste. Before the invention of fridges and freezers, salt was an important preserving agent. It is widely believed that salt was the oldest method of food preservation. Salt has played a great role in medicine since the beginning of humankind. Salt is used for cleaning, washing, sanitizing, purifying, and disinfecting.  The importance of salt to humanity must be the reason Jesus calls his followers the salt of the earth because they are to perform the functions of salt to the world.

The Bible gives a good example of the purifying power of salt: “Once the inhabitants of the city complained to Elisha, ‘The site of the city is fine indeed, as my lord can see, but the water is bad and the land unfruitful.’ ‘Bring me a new bowl,’ Elisha said, ‘and put salt in it.’ When they had brought it to him, he went out to the spring and threw salt into it, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord, ‘I have purified this water. Never again shall death or miscarriage spring from it.’ And the water has stayed pure even to this day, just as Elisha prophesied” (2 King 2:19-22). This passage helps us to understand why we bless salt and water.

In today’s Gospel Acclamation, Jesus says about himself, “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Then, in the gospel reading, Jesus tells us, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” It is very striking that what Jesus says about himself, he also says about us.

We are supposed to be lights that reflect the glory of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). As we see in the second reading, St. Paul reflected the light of Christ to the Corinthians. He reflected the light of Christ not with human wisdom but with a demonstration of Spirit and power of God. St. Paul said to the Corinthians, “For I have resolved to know nothing [that is to pay attention to nothing] while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). St. Paul was so resolute discipleship that he said to the Corinthians, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ [that is, follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ]” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

None of us can claim this level of resoluteness. Human wisdom or human thinking and desires hinder our lights from shining with Spirit and power of God. We may not be like St. Paul but there is much we can do. The first reading gives us a good insight of how we can be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We are to feed the hungry, shelter the oppressed and homeless, cloth the naked, and attend to the afflicted.

Around us are people who need our help, love, care, and support. They are the elderly, the lonely, the sick, the troubled, the grieving, the hungry, the deprived, the incapacitated, the wounded, the oppressed, the heartbroken, the poor, the abandoned and so on. For some of these people, life is tasteless. As salt, we are to bring flavor to their life. Some of them see only darkness and hopelessness around them. As light, we are to light up their darkness and restore their hope. We lose our saltiness and our flame when we have become numb to other people’s afflictions and sufferings. May our salt not lose its flavor, and may our light not go out.

The first reading encourages us that in relating with one another, we are to remove from our midst oppression, false accusation, and malicious speech. We are to support and encourage one another. We are not to discourage and pull down one another. We are not to blow out or put out anyone’s light.

 Let us conclude with a prayer for God’s blessings in the first reading:

“… your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed.

Your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

… you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: ‘Here I am!’

… your light shall rise in the darkness, and your gloom shall become like midday.” Amen.

(Isaiah 58:8-10).

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A, 2026 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13; Psalm 146:6-10; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew 5:1-12

Zephaniah prophesied when the worship of the true God was abandoned by many people in Israel. The first reading is Zephaniah’s prophecy to encourage the faithful “remnant of Israel” not to lose faith but to continue to observe God’s law and take refuge in God. Zephaniah said to them, “Seek the Lord… seek justice, seek humility… speak no lies.” If they remained faithful, they would “be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.” “The day of the Lord’s anger” means the day of divine judgment.

Our situation is like how things were when Zephaniah prophesied in Israel. Many people have abandoned the worship of the true God. We are the “remnant” faithful. Today’s readings encourage us not to lose our faith but continue to seek the Lord and take refuge in him. We are encouraged to continue to live the life of justice, humility, and integrity. We are encouraged to seek shelter in nothing else but in the Lord.

Before Jesus arrived, there were the high-handed Roman oppressors, the corrupt tax collectors, the hypocrites (the scribes and the Pharisees). They prided themselves as the blessed. In today’s gospel, Jesus proclaimed a new kind of the blessed with his Sermon on the Mount. He went up the mountain to proclaim the sermon to let the people know that what he proclaimed was as important as the laws Moses brought from Mount Sinai. The new blessings (beatitudes) are eight core principles that serve as a road map for spiritual growth and for an upright life.

The poor in spirit: Those dependent on God, who detach themselves from self-importance and from possessions.

Those who mourn: Those who grief over their sins which lead them to repentance and reconciliation. They grieve over evil and seek good over evil.

The meek: Those who submit to God’s will; who act with humility towards others.

Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: Those who desire to be right with God.  They desire justice over injustice, right over wrong, and good over evil.

The merciful: Those who are kind, compassionate, and forgiven.

The clean of heart: The honest who act with integrity.

The peace makers: Those who work to create peace and harmony.

The persecuted: Those persecuted for living upright life and for witnessing Christ.

The blessings mean that the reward of the upright is certain, eighter during earthly life or during eternity.

The message of the gospel is that God loves the humble and the lowly is also the message St. Paul tried to communicate to the Christian Corinthians. Some of the Corinthians behaved like the Roman oppressors, the scribes and the Pharisees, quickly forgetting their lowly background and their Christian calling. He asked them in 1 Corinthians 4:7, “What do you possess that you have not received? But if you have received it, why are you boasting as if you did not receive it?” He said to them, “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31). St. Paul is communicating the same message to us today.

Who, therefore, are the blessed? The ‘high and the mighty’? No! Those rich in worldly possessions? No! Those who lack worldly possessions? No! The blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the clean of heart, the peace makers, and those persecuted for the sake of righteousness and for witnessing Christ. Why? Because even if these are not among the ‘high and mighty,’ and even if they lack worldly possessions, what is within them is greater than what is in the world (1 John 4:4).

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A, 2026 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

Isaiah 8:3-9:3; Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17; Matthew 4:12-23

Zebulun and Naphtali were among the twelve tribes of Israel that settled in the region of Galilee. They were among the territories invaded and conquered by the Assyrians in 721 BC. The invaders, who were pagans, occupied Zebulun and Naphtali and integrated with the local people. The invaders’ pagan religion became the dominant religion. A few Jews continued to worship the true God.

The history and the dominant pagan religion of Zebulun and Naphtali were the reasons Isaiah depicted the towns as “The people who walked in darkness” and “those who dwelt in a land of gloom.” Galilee (which included lands of Zebulun and Naphtali) was one of the places Jesus performed his public ministry, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophesy, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone” (Isaiah 9:1). The coming of Jesus would be the “a great light.”

Today’s Psalm (27), prays, “The Lord is my light and my salvation … The Lord is my refuge … I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord.” The words are spiritually reassuring and fortifying as we begin the new year.

We stand on the prophecies of Isaiah and the words of the psalmist and pray that whatever situation of darkness and gloom we are in, Jesus, our refuge and our salvation may shine his great light upon us. Amen.

Zebulun and Naphtali were people who walked in darkness and people who dwelt in a land of gloom because they did not worship the true God. The idolatry of the men and women of our generation is not necessarily the worship of pagan gods. It is the worship of worldly things: politics, business, economy, sports, science and technology, social activities, jobs, and so on. St. Paul, rightly, describes the world’s paganism in the following words, “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the creator …” (Romans 1:21-25).

In the second reading, we see that the Christian Corinthians were torn apart by division and rivalry. They were in different opposing camps: Paul’s camp, Apollos’s camp, Cephas’ camp, and Christ’s camp. The divisions and rivalries we see in our society, our country, and our world are the worst kinds of paganism. Despite the world’s development, hate, divisions, rivalries, violence, wars, bloodshed, and destructions keep the world in darkness and gloom.

Are there areas of idolatry and areas of darkness and gloom in our lives? Jesus commands us in today’s gospel, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” St. Paul says, “… that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2). Jesus describes further the coming of the kingdom: “Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:40-42).

We see also in today’s gospel that the first four of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen: Peter, Andrew, James, and John; men of humble background, who were among the unknowns at that time. By so doing, Jesus teaches us not to underrate anyone or underrate oneself. Jesus says in John 3:8, “The wind blows where it wills.” God calls from all backgrounds. A major step that is required is to humbly detach oneself from whatever background one is and answer God’s call. See how the disciples responded: Peter and Andrew: “At once, they left their nets and followed him.” James and John: “… immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.”

It is symbolic that Jesus called fishermen as his first disciples. There are a lot to learn from fishermen. Traditional fishing is a painstaking job only embraced by strong and hardworking men. Fishermen cast their nets and wait patiently.  They persevere by casting their nets over and over again. At the end of their fishing, they spend time sorting out fish from trash. Fishermen are courageous people. While many people are resting and sleeping at night, fishermen are in the waters fishing, sometimes, under unfavorable weather conditions. To make a good catch of fish, some fishermen sail to faraway deep waters. They are not deterred by dark nights, storms, tides, and dangerous water creatures. Let us pray that we may have these qualities of good fishermen in order to become good and effective disciples of Jesus and fishers of souls.

As Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John, so he calls us today. There is something God is calling us to do. Do we respond “at once” and “immediately” or do we continue to procrastinate or even reject the call?

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A, 2026 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

Isaiah 49:3, 5-6; Psalm 40:4, 7-10; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; John 1:29-34

We have resumed Ordinary Time after Christmas festivities. Ordinary Time refers to those periods that fall outside the major liturgical seasons: Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. The present segment of Ordinary Time continues until Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

Liturgically, Ordinary Time does not imply “uneventful time” or “a time without special or distinctive features.” Liturgically, the word ‘ordinary’ originates from the word ‘ordinal’ which means “of a specified order or in a series.” The Catholic Church numbers in a serial order the weeks after festive seasons, from Week 1 to Week 34. Therefore, Ordinary Time liturgical season is the periods that the weeks are ‘ordinally numbered’ outside the major liturgical seasons. Ordinary Time liturgical season is like a sea which appears calm on the surface but with very active current underneath. Ordinary Time liturgical seasons are very active times of discipleship. This segment of Ordinary Time is the time to put into action the graces we received from Advent season to the Baptism of the Lord, to grow, to bloom, to flower, and to bear fruits.

The Church uses green vestments and green decorations during Ordinary Time. Green is the color that symbolizes life, renewal, energy, growth, health, fertility, and safety. A green light is permission to proceed. Can you imagine the confusion, or even the tragic situation that could result if a green traffic light is disobeyed? The meanings of green color are the Church’s prayers for each one of us.

The first reading is Isaiah’s prophecy about Jesus, through whom Israel received salvation. Jesus’ mission would go beyond Israel as Isaiah prophesied, “It is too little … for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6). Jesus brought salvation not only to Israel but to the whole world.

John the Baptist confirms Isaiah’s prophecy about Jesus in today’s gospel, “John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Behold, the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”’ (John 1:29). Priests repeat these words in every Eucharistic celebration just before Holy Communion. Priests repeat these words to constantly remind us who Jesus is and why we must not delay to follow him and to be his disciples.

On his arrival, Jesus acknowledges Isaiah’s and John the Baptist’s prophecies about himself as “the light of the nations” “who takes away the sins of the world.” He says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). He further addresses us in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” We are to be lights in the darkness of our world. As bearers of Christ’s light, we are to keep our lights on, and do what we can so that the world of darkness does not consume or blow out our light. May God be our shield and protection in times of life’s winds and hurricanes. Amen.

As Jesus instructs us in Matthew 5:15, let no one hide his or her light under a bushel. No matter how little your light is, let it shine! Therefore, let us light up one another and share our light with one another. There is a saying, “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.”

The psalmist challenges us by stating, “I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips” (Psalm 40:9). Injustice in our environment and our world will continue, and oppression of the innocent will continue where those who are called to announce God’s justice restrain their lips and become silent in the face of injustice, or switch off their light in the face of darkness. Silence in the face of injustice empowers evil. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer says, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil.”

In the second reading, St. Paul reminds us that we who have been sanctified by the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus by our Baptism are called to be holy and are also called to be disciples of Christ Jesus. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to be witnesses of light, truth, and justice. Ordinary Time is indeed a time of active witnessing. May God give us the graces that we need. Amen.

BAPTISM OF THE LORD YEAR A, 2026 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10; Acts 10:34-38; Matthew 3:13-17

Two questions frequently asked: Why do the Catholic Church baptize babies since Jesus says in Mark 16:16, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved”? Children’s Baptism is both biblical and in Christian tradition. Luke 19:13-15, “Children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ After he placed his hands on them, he went away.” Children’s Baptism is a continuation of Jesus’ response towards children. Records of household Baptisms: Lydia’s household (Acts 16:15), Philippian jailer and his family (Acts 16:33), and Stephana’s household (1 Corinthians 1:16). “Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Anyone who swerves when old, after receiving the way to go when young, is responsible for his or her actions.

What is the difference between John the Baptist’s Baptism and Jesus’ Baptism? John’s Baptism was not Trinitarian. That is, it was not, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19), which is why the Catholic Church does not recognize any baptism that is not Trinitarian. John’s Baptism was a call to repentance and preparation of the Messiah. Jesus’ Baptism is Trinitarian, which we are celebrating its significance today.

Last Sunday was the Feast of the Epiphany (revelation) of the Lord. The revelation continues today with his Baptism. As we read in today’s gospel, God himself and the Holy Spirit are the witnesses to Jesus’ revelation. God makes a public declaration about Jesus, not through any prophet, not through any angel, not through the shepherds, not through the Magi, not through Simeon and Anna, not through John the Baptist, but by himself and in the presence of the Holy Spirit. The gospel says that when Jesus was baptized, “… the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased’” (Matthew 3:16-17).

Maximus of Turin explains, “Christ is baptized, not that he may be sanctified in the waters, but that he himself may sanctify the waters… For when the Savior is washed, then already for our Baptism all water is cleansed and the fount purified… Christ therefore takes the lead in Baptism, so that Christian people may follow after him with confidence.”

Last Sunday, the Magi brought mystical gifts to Jesus foreshadowing his messianic mission: gold (his kingship), frankincense (his priesthood), and myrrh (his burial). In the same way, an earlier revelation of Jesus’ mission was prophesied by Isaiah as in the first reading, “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased. Upon him I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations. … [He is] a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness” (Isaiah 42:1, 6-7). As we begin the second week of the year, we pray that the light of Jesus lights our way and dispels every darkness of the past year. May we be healed from every blindness of the past year. May we be released from every confinement and dungeon of the past year. Amen. As Advent and Christmas decorations are taken down from today, let us not take down the graces of Advent and Christmas that we have received.

In the second reading, Peter speaks of Jesus’ mission: “He went about doing good and healing all those possessed by the devil, for God was with him” (Acts 10:38). We pray that in the new year, we will experience God’s goodness, healing, and deliverance in abundance. Amen.

Some people mistake Baptism as a Christian naming ceremony. Baptism is the spiritual and mystical foundation of other Sacraments and our spiritual lives. If the baptismal foundation is absent, there is nothing sacramental to build upon. If the baptismal foundation becomes weak at any stage, the spiritual building becomes weak. If baptismal promises collapse, the spiritual dwelling collapses.

Today’s celebration summons us to ‘Three Rs,” Remembering, Reflection, and Renewal:

That our Baptism is our spiritual rebirth,

That our Baptism frees us from original sin,

That our Baptism grants us saving grace,

That our Baptism grants us sanctifying grace,

That our Baptism makes us members of Christ’s Body, the Church,

That our Baptism makes us faithful followers of Christ,

That our Baptism sealed us with indelible spiritual mark,

That our Baptism makes us dwelling places of the Holy Spirit,

That by our Baptism we reject Satan, his works, and all his empty promises,

That by our Baptism we reject evil’s glamor and refuse to be mastered by sin,

That the oils of our Baptism are oils of our salvation,

That the water of our Baptism is our spiritual cleansing,

That our white garment at our Baptism means our Christian dignity,

That the lighted candle at our Baptism means that we are children of light,

That the prayer over our ear at our Baptism opens our ears to hear God’s word,

That the prayer over our mouth at our Baptism opens our mouth to proclaim our faith,

That our Baptism makes us beloved children of God and pleasing to him,

That our Baptism is the gateway to our eternal life.

O Lord, bless all who nurtured us and all who still nurture us to keep alive the graces of our Baptism. Amen.

EPIPHANY OF THE LORD YEAR A, 2026 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Ephesians 32-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12

The word Epiphany comes from two Greek words ‘epi’ meaning ‘on’ or ‘over’ or ‘upon,’ and ‘phania’ meaning ‘appearance’ or ‘revelation’ or ‘manifestation.’ Epiphania (epiphany) means the appearance or revelation or manifestation of Jesus on earth.

Epiphany of the Lord started before the arrival of the Magi (Latin word meaning wise men). The angels had revealed to the shepherds, “… For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. … When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So, they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherd” (Luke 2:8-18).

The above narrative is very striking. The birth of Jesus was first revealed to mere shepherds, not to high-profiled people. The angles did not tell the shepherds to go and verify. They decided by themselves and went in haste. When the shepherds saw as the angels told them, they told other people. Therefore, the news about the birth of the Messiah was already whispered in town before the arrival of the Magi, but from all indications, it had not reached the king’s and his officials’ ears. As we read in today’s gospel, it was the Magi who announced the birth of the Messiah to King Herod and his officials. From then, the news was no longer whispered but became public; the reason why the visit of the Magi is called Epiphany (the disclosure or revelation of the Lord.)

Matthew 2:1 informs us that the Magi came from the East to Jerusalem. It has been suggested that the East was, perhaps, within the region of the present-day Iran.

The Magi saw a spectacular star, which they, rightly, interpreted to signify the birth of the Messiah. They prophetically brought gifts to Jesus according to his messianic mission: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold symbolizes Jesus’ kingship, frankincense his priesthood, and myrrh his death. The Magi were non-Jews. It was God’s plan that through their visit, the birth of Jesus was, also, revealed to the non-Jewish world. The Magi, no doubt, returned to the East with the news of the birth of Jesus.

It was not only the Magi that saw the spectacular star. Some people saw it, admired it, but it meant nothing to them. Some people saw it, knew that it signified something special but did nothing about it. Only the Magi, after seeing the star, like the shepherds, went in haste to find out the star’s significance. They followed the star to where Jesus was born. The Magi’s journey of about 800 to 900 miles took them months through hills, deserts, and rivers. Not even Herod could stop their mission. This means that the level of perseverance and passion determines the level of success. The Magi teach us that by determination, perseverance, and goodwill, we will accomplish our mission. We pray that God sends us guiding stars and that we may recognize and follow the guiding star to what God has in stock for us. The Magi teach us to see something and do something; not see, talk, and do nothing.

In the New Year, may we experience our own epiphany (a new awakening) in our relationship with God in our desires, decisions, plans, and lives. We pray that the Spirit of Jesus awakens our minds and hearts and reveal to us God’s hidden treasures.

The Magi brought gifts to Jesus. What gifts do we resolve to bring to Jesus in 2026? The greatest gift we can bring to Jesus is to become like St. Paul, stewards of God’s graces and co-partners of Jesus, as the second reading challenges us (Ephesians 3:2, 6). May God use us to become shining stars wherever we are. May we allow God to use us to become guiding stars *for others. May no cloud of darkness obscure our light. Amen. This reminds me of the song, “Try a Little Kindness.”

 *If you see your brother standing by the road, with a heavy load from the seeds he sowed;

And if you see your sister falling by the way, just stop and say you're goin' the wrong way;

You've got to try a little kindness yes show a little kindness; yes shine your light for everyone to see;

And if you'll try a little kindness, you'll overlook the blindness, of the narrow minded people on the narrow minded streets …* 

The birth of Jesus made the angels sing, made the shepherds rejoice, and made the Magi come all the way from the East in wonder and adoration. But it made King Herod greatly troubled and he planned to kill Jesus. Of course, Jesus was not to become an earthly king to take over Herod’s kingship. There are ‘herods’ who are narrow minded, who misjudge, who are mischievous, envious, jealous, and greatly troubled by other people’s accomplishments and they to kill and destroy. We pray for the repentance of such people. May God protect us from unrepentant ‘herods.’ We are all invited to become stewards of God’s graces, not tools of destruction.

Lastly, the Magi did not return to Herod, as he mischievously requested. They listened to God’s warning and departed by another way.  What other ways can we follow in 2026 instead of continuing on narrow minded alleys, streets, and ways that have not helped, that lead astray or even destroy? We pray that we may see the guiding stars and the new high ways God has for us in the New Year. Amen.