Hearing The Word

A weekly newsletter delivering context and insight into the Sunday Gospels.

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January 4, 2026

Epiphany of the Lord

Matthew 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,

in the days of King Herod, 

behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?

We saw his star at its rising

and have come to do him homage.”

When King Herod heard this,

he was greatly troubled, 

and all Jerusalem with him.

Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, 

He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, 

for thus it has been written through the prophet:

And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

since from you shall come a ruler,

who is to shepherd my people Israel.”

Then Herod called the magi secretly 

and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.

He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 

“Go and search diligently for the child.

When you have found him, bring me word, 

that I too may go and do him homage.”

After their audience with the king they set out.

And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, 

until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.

They were overjoyed at seeing the star, 

and on entering the house

they saw the child with Mary his mother.

They prostrated themselves and did him homage.

Then they opened their treasures 

and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, 

they departed for their country by another way.

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The Deeper Gifts of the Magi

~Rev. Jordan Kelly, O.P.

Chaplain to the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters at the Convent of Divine Love + Philadelphia, Pa.

Today’s Gospel from Saint Matthew for the Solemnity of the Epiphany is filled with gifts!

First, Matthew unveils one of the major themes of his Gospel: The Davidic Kingdom. Matthew mentions the Kingdom of God no less than 60 times in His Gospel. The Magi’s question, Where is the newborn King of the Jews, proclaims this Kingdom. Their question confirms that Christ is of the House of David. The Genealogy of Jesus (Mt. 1: 1 – 25) which has been read on December 17 and again at the Vigil Mass of Christmas, is no longer a simple recording of generations, but has become the Word made flesh, and we have seen His Glory!

Secondly, there are people and events in both the Genealogy of Jesus and in today’s Gospel that are only in Matthew’s Gospel. The Genealogy contains the presence of women and women who are gentiles (a foreshadowing of the manifestation of Christ as the light of the nations celebrated in the Epiphany). Only Matthew’s Gospel portrays the cunning of Herod; the visit (and its significance) of the Magi; and, and the flight into Egypt. Each of these is an important detail that both shapes and completes the homily for this great Solemnity

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Finally, Matthew’s Gospel offers both preachers and hearers the best way to come to the Lord: simply and directly. When Herod gives the Magi the mandate to bring him the news of where this newborn King could be found he complicates what is required to find Christ. We do not need plans and research. We are called to imitate the Magi who seek the newborn King simply, directly, and with complete and total trust.

Come, let us adore the Lord!

Our Own Epiphanies

~Annonymous

I feel like so much has been written about the feast of the Epiphany – about the journey, about the travelers, about the light, the innocence in contrast to the scheming, about the new life and its vulnerability, about the decision to keep the news from the king. It would be hard to add anything new.

But the feast also reminds me that many of us personally experience something akin to the dictionary definition of the word epiphany: “the appearance of, or revelatory manifestation of, a divine being.”

We don’t often talk about God appearing to us, anymore than we talk freely about other highly personal things. But in my work, I was tasked for years with asking people about their experience of God, and as a result of all that listening, I am fully convinced that God shows up personally to individuals, and way, way more often than we publicly admit.

When He does, it’s huge – unbelievable even – probably because it’s so inconceivable that the great and awesome and magnificent God would actually care specifically about me. Would actually touch down in my life. Yikes.

I’ve heard people say they felt the undeniable presence of God in particularly critical moments in life, and that He showed up whether they were in church or in the car, in a hospital or in front of the TV even.

“I felt comforted,” they might say. “I felt peaceful.” “I knew everything was going to be ok.” “I had a reassurance about the reality of God existing that I will not ever shake.” Maybe He affirmed a decision they were making. Maybe He left them with a phrase or word that they will never forget. As with the magi, maybe He inspired them to turn away from danger.

On this feast it seems fitting to reflect back on those moments when God was manifested or appeared to you. How you were certain it was God and not your imagination, not a coincidence. What has your own epiphany taught you about the truth and nature of God? And then allow that certainty of God’s existence and care to accompany you on your own journey.