Epiphany reveals the glory of God made manifest in Christ, from His baptism to His incarnation as Emmanuel. For centuries, God's Shekinah glory appeared in the temple, leading His people. Yet through sin, the glory departed. In Jesus, the glory returned—not in cloud or fire, but as the Son, who redeems us through His cross, resurrection, and ascension, inviting us into God’s eternal family through faith.

St. Paul calls us to be living sacrifices, offering our lives in response to Christ’s perfect obedience. Jesus exemplifies this as a youth, submitting to Mary and Joseph and embracing humble work in Nazareth. Epiphany reminds us of Christ’s revelation and call to deeper obedience. Through daily acts of faith, we deny self-interest, offer thanksgiving, and testify to God’s grace in Christ, who saves sinners.

In the latter part of Advent, in the early part of Christmas, we have a healthy dose of Christ’s coming through the lens of the blessed Virgin Mary.  In the Christmas season now, we pivot, as it were, to consider the miracle of the Incarnation through the lens of Joseph. 

This homily reflects on the transition from Christmas to Epiphany, highlighting the Magi's journey to worship Christ. Despite their pagan background, the Magi followed God’s signs with zeal, overcoming obstacles to find and honor the King of Kings. Their gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—symbolize Christ’s kingship, divinity, and sacrifice. Let their devotion inspire us to seek Christ wholeheartedly and live as His faithful disciples

Today, we are presented with the account of Our Lord’s birth from the perspective of St. Matthew.  St. Matthew was a Gospel written for a Jewish audience, who would have been keenly interested in the testimony of the prophets and how these things were fulfilled in the life and work of Jesus.

So, on this feast of Holy Innocents, let us remember that we are called to overcome evil with good.  Let us see abortion for the evil that it is and pray for its end.  Let us do all we can as Christians to affirm life.  We should encourage and pray for those mothers who are fearful to bring children to term. 

St. John whose feast we celebrate today penned the Epistle and Gospel appointed for today.  His first general epistle is most appropriate to Christmas when we celebrate Christ coming in the flesh, truly becoming man and dwelling among us.

On Christmas Eve and yesterday, we celebrated with great joy that God has forever united the second person of the Holy Trinity with our humanity.  Humanity brought death into the world through Adam’s sin.

God sent his Son into the world in humility, in lowliness, to take our nature upon him. Becoming human, being joined with our humanity through the blessed Virgin Mary.