The Collects
O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant, that we, which know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ALMIGHTY God, whose voice bare witness to the baptism of they beloved Son Jesus Christ: Grant we beseech thee, that we may deserve to be inwardly created anew, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Readings: (Ephesians iii. 1; St. Matthew ii. 1)
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)
The Epiphany - Message in a Minute
The mystery of Epiphany has to do with the inclusiveness of God. The manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles teaches us that through Jesus everybody can become one of God's chosen people. From Abraham to Jesus chosenness was limited to Jews. Now chosenness is for everyone -- both Jew and Gentile.
The word gentile in this context refers to the non-Jew. Jesus came to earth to make it possible for Gentiles to join the chosen people through baptism, and so become honorary Jews. St. Paul teaches "that the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel." So the fellowship of the mystery turns out to be a Church where membership is available to all humanity.
After we learn what the mystery of Epiphany is the following reflective questions lie before us, "Do we accept this mystery? Do we want to join the fellowship?"
Jesus says, "Many are called, but few are chosen." People must ask of themselves, "Do I choose to be chosen?" God has shown now that he has chosen us. Will we now choose him?
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