was not made known to humankind,
as it has now been revealed
to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:
that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs,
members of the same body, and sharers in the promise
in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Of this gospel I have become a servant
according to the gift of God's grace
that was given me by the working of his power.
Although I am the very least of all the saints,
this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles
the news of the boundless riches of Christ,
and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery
hidden for ages in God who created all things;
so that through the church the wisdom of God
in its rich variety might now be made known
to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
This was in accordance with the eternal purpose
that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,
in whom we have access to God
in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
Adoration of the Magi
Peter Paul Rubens, 1619
Dear friends,
Today we celebrate the day of Epiphany, a time when we remember the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God to the Gentiles, as told in the story of the Magi in Matthew 2:1-12.
This story reminds us of the universal nature of God's love and grace, as the Magi, who were not Jews, were among the first to pay homage to Jesus as the newborn king.
In Ephesians 3:1-12, Paul speaks of his own calling to bring the Good News of Jesus to the Gentiles, and he emphasizes the mystery of God's plan to bring salvation to all people, regardless of their background or status.
These two passages, then, remind us of the inclusivity of God's love, and of our own calling to be ambassadors of that love to all people. We are called to share the Good News of Jesus with others, and to be instruments of God's love and grace in the world.
But how do we share the love of Jesus in a way that is respectful and loving, rather than forcing our beliefs on others? The most effective way is through our own actions and words. When we strive to live a compassionate and loving life, and when we speak with kindness and respect to others, we can be a powerful witness to the transformative power of the Gospel.
So let us embrace this day of Epiphany as an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to living out the Good News of Jesus in our own lives, and to sharing it with others in a way that is respectful and loving. May we all be instruments of God's love and grace in the world, and may our words and actions bring light and hope to all those we encounter.