January 6, 2025 Daily Dose of Discernment

The Lord has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations, that all the ends of the earth may see the salvation of our God. (Isaiah 52:10)

The Church celebrates today the Feast of the Epiphany. The occasion marks the unveiling of the Savior of the world. It was clear from the outset that God desired for all families of the earth, not just a few, to be blessed. He uses men as instruments for this to be fulfilled, not for them to think they are exclusively favored.

The magi, prominent characters in the story, travelled 1,700 kilometers to see the Messiah, the King of the Jews. Meanwhile, the Israelites living in the city of God less than 10 kilometers away, including its Biblical scholars, knew nothing about His birth. This is why the magi were called wise men. They didn’t have the scriptures yet discerned the advent of humanity’s hope. This also betrays the folly of God’s people who had a covenant with Him but did not recognize the time of His visitation. Let us learn to be sensitive and incline our ears and hearts to His Spirit.