Daily Gospel Reflection for January 8, 2023: The Epiphany of the Lord

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Reflection by Colleen O'Dowd

Today's Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

The Epiphany we celebrate today is not the Three Wise Men arriving. It’s what happens when they leave. It’s that the Magi – after being warned in a dream not to return to Herod – departed for their country by another way.

How extraordinary!

The kerygma – the Great Story of Jesus – is directly impacted by humans – and humans who don’t believe in God. And these are the folks who were the very first to encounter Jesus! Not Scribes. Not Pharisees. Not the most holy or the most royal.

The Magi also believed in signs. And wonders. Just like us. And they have – without even knowing what or Who they are seeking – at great personal risk and expense – gone in search of more. The “more” we are seeking – whether we can name Him or not – is Jesus.

This is the life of a disciple!

My life is different once I have encountered Jesus. I can’t go back to my old life. Whatever I do from the moment I encounter Jesus Himself – I must now go wherever I am going – by another way.

A pastor was leaving on sabbatical right after the last Epiphany liturgy. He figured he wouldn’t have to deal with any liturgical aftermath (correct) – and so he cleverly rearranged the figures of the nativity scene facing away from Jesus. Even the camel. His homily began with, “What vandals did this to the nativity scene?!” And everybody got uncomfortable and nervous as they strained to see what had happened. And that was his message: once you have encountered Jesus you just plain cannot go back the way you came.

The Wise Men arrived as seekers and left as something new. Something more. Something different.

Ponder:

What is one way Jesus has come to me this season? How is my life different now?

Pray:

Lord Jesus, help me to seek You in my daily life. Give me courage to return by another way.

Click to tweet:
Once I have encountered Jesus, I cannot go back the way I came. #dailygospel

Copyright 2023 Colleen O'Dowd

Colleen O’Dowd is a parish missionary at Our Lady of Ransom in Niles, IL. She loves being Catholic; her Converse all-stars, socks, and Crocs are always liturgically correct; and she is a super saint-geek! She blogs ultra-occasionally at www.ourheartswereburningwithin.wordpress.com and can also be found at @catholiccolleen on Twitter and Instagram.