Gospel Reflection

BAPTISM OF THE LORD SUNDAY

LUKE 3:15-16; 21-22

Today’s gospel reminds parents about Jesus baptism. It was rather very simple yet very dignified. This is one thing that parents must learn. Recognize the real meaning of the sacrament which is that God is so pleased with their child accepts the child as his own. As Luke’s gospel beautifully puts it, “You are my beloved Son.”

Above all, the parents must realize that the child is called by God to be his witness in a land where people are slowly going away from the Church. God’s dignity is shared wiath the child being baptized and the parents must nurture and explain this property to the child as he grows up. Instead of spending a lot during the baptism, why not save money for the future Christian education of the child.

RICE in Baptism:

R – Rebirth

I – initiation

C – Conversion

E – Empowerment

All these happen in the sacrament of baptism.

Gospel Reflection

EPIPHANY SUNDAY

Matthew 2:1-12

Snobbish as it may sound, serendipity is a word that has gradually grown in meaning and currency since the late 18^th century. Thus, serendipity has come to mean the delightful surprise of stumbling upon something wholly other and better than what one has been looking and working for. Serendipity explains how ‘epiphany’ happens: catching sight of divine presence in unexpected moment and places.

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star and have come to do him homage.” Where is? expresses one of our deepest human drives. Our gaze keeps scanning the horizon in search of some star of our own… not to reach for it, for sure, but to serve as guide for an earthly journey of a lifetime.

The gifts the magi brought as homage symbolize what humanity still keeps on hoping for: a king (gold) whose rule would at last heal (myrrh) all bitter conflicts among humans and would scent (frankincense) their world with love and peace.

So the wise men asked on: where is? … until they found a helpless newborn in the arms of a young mother in a poor abode. It needs more than just outer accident to make serendipity happen. One further needs the inner ‘sagacity’ or wisdom of a kindly heart lit by faith and led by hope.