Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Chúa Nhật Chủa Hiển Linh

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Chúa Nhật Chúa Hiển Linh

 Khi Đức Giê-su ra đời tại Bê-lem, miền Giu-đê, thời vua Hê-rô-đê trị vì, có mấy nhà chiêm tinh từ phương Đông đến Giê-ru-sa-lem, ²và hỏi : “Đức Vua dân Do-thái mới sinh, hiện ở đâu ? Chúng tôi đã thấy ngôi sao của Người xuất hiện bên phương Đông, nên chúng tôi đến bái lạy Người.” (Mt 2:1-2)

            Ba vị đạo sĩ (vua.?) rất có thể đến từ Ba Tư, Iran ngày nay. Họ là những người khoa học gia thường xuyên nghiên cứu về chiêm tinh qua các vì sao. Họ không phải là người Do Thái nhưng rất có thể đã biết niềm tin phổ biến của người Do Thái là sẽ xuất hiện một vị vua một đáng Mêsaia  để cứu họ.

            Những đạo sĩ này được Thiên Chúa mời gọi đến để gặp gỡ Đấng Cứu Rỗi của Thế giới. Điều thú vị là Thiên Chúa đã dùng những thứ rất quen thuộc với họ để làm công cụ cho ơn gọi của họ: các vì sao. Các Đạop Sĩ này Họ tin rằng qua một ngôi sao mới xuất hiện trên bầu trời, thi sẽ có một người có tầm quan trọng đã được sinh ra, sự ra đời này sẽ đi kèm sự xuất hiệ của một ngôi sao mới. Vì vậy, khi họ nhìn thấy ngôi sao mới, sáng và rực rỡ này, thì họ đâm ra tò mò và niềm hy vọng. Một trong những khía cạnh quan trọng nhất của câu chuyện này là họ đã phản hồi. Thiên Chúa kêu gọi những nhà Đạo sĩ này qua việc dùng hình ảnh một ngôi sao, và họ đã chọn đi theo dấu hiệu này, và họ đã bắt đầu một cuộc hành trình dài và gian khổ.

            Thiên Chúa thường sử dụng những việc làm quen thuộc nhất trong cuộc sống hàng ngày của chúng ta để gửi đến chúng ta lời kêu gọi của Ngài. Ví dụ, chúng ta hãy nhớ lại là nhiều môn đệ của Chúa hay các Tông Đồ đều là người đánh cá, và Chúa Giê Su đã dung các công việc làm ăn thường ngày của họ để mời gọi họ theo Ngài và tiếp tục loan truyền Tin Mừng của Ngài đến với mọi nơi.  và rõ ràng là Ngài muốn làm cho họ trở thành “những tay đánh lưới người.” Ngài đặc biệt dùng phép lạ để giúp các môn đệ mới chọn của Ngài bắt được mẻ lưới nhiều cá để cho họ thấy rõ ràng rằng họ có một ơn gọi mới.             Trong cuộc sống của chúng ta cũng thế, Chúa không ngừng kêu gọi chúng ta tìm kiếm Ngài và thờ phượng Ngài. Ngài sẽ sử dụng một số phần công việc bình thường nhất trong cuộc sống của chúng ta để gửi đi tiếng mời gọi đó.

Hôm nay Chúa đã gọi chúng ta như thế nào? Bằng cách nào mà Ngài đã gửi đến cho chúng ta một ngôi sao lạ để giúp chúng ta tìm đến Chúa? Nhiều lần và nhiều cách, Chúa đã đén và mời gọi chúng ta, nhưng chúng ta đã phớt lờ tiếng Chúa mời gọi chúng ta. Chúng ta cần phải học hỏi từ những người Đạo sĩ Đông Phương này và siêng năng đáp ứng khi Ngài kêu gọi. Chúng ta không được ngần ngại và phải tìm cách chú ý hàng ngày đến những cách mà Chúa mời gọi chúng ta tin tưởng, phó thác và thờ phượng một cách chân thành và sâu sắc hơn.

Hôm nay, chúng ta hãy suy ngẫm về những lờimời gọi của Thiên Chúa trong cuộc sống của chúng ta. Chúng ta đang nghe Tiếng Chúa? Chúng ta đang đáp trả lời Bgafi ? Bạn có sẵn sàng và sẵn sàng từ bỏ tất cả những thứ khác trong cuộc sống để phục vụ thánh ý của Ngài không? Chúng ta hãy tìm kiếm Chúa, chờ đợi Ngài và đáp ứng những yêu cầu của Ngài. Làm như vậy sẽ là những quyết định tốt nhất mà chung ta từng thực hiện. Lạy Chúa, chúng con yêu mến Chúa và xin hứa với Chúa là chúng con sẽ sẵn sàng mở lòng chúng con để đón nhận bàn tay hướng dẫn của Chúa trong cuộc đời của chúng con. Xin Chúa giúp cho chúng con luôn biết chú ý đến những cách khác nhau mà Chúa thường gọi chúng con mỗi ngày. Và xin cho chúng con luôn hết lòng đáp lại tiếng gọi của Chúa. Lạy Chúa, chúng con tin vào Chúa.

 
The Epiphany of the Lord 2025

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.” Matthew 2:1–2

The Magi were most likely from Persia, modern-day Iran. They were men who regularly engaged in a study of the stars. They were not Jewish but were most likely aware of the popular belief of the Jewish people that a king would be born who would save them.

These Magi were called by God to encounter the Savior of the World. Interestingly, God used something very familiar to them as an instrument of their calling: the stars. It was among their belief that when someone of great importance was born, this birth was accompanied by a new star. So when they saw this new, bright and brilliant star, they were filled with curiosity and hope. One of the most significant aspects of this story is that they responded. God called them through the use of a star, and they chose to follow this sign, embarking on a long and arduous journey.

God often uses those things most familiar to us that are part of our daily life to send forth His calling. Recall, for example, that many of the Apostles were fishermen, and Jesus used their occupation to call them, making them “fishers of men.”

Respecially used the miraculous catch of fish to clearly indicate to them that they had a new calling.
In our own lives, God is constantly calling us to seek Him out and worship Him. He will often use some of the most ordinary parts of our lives to send forth that calling. How is He calling you? In what way is He sending you a star to follow? Many times when God speaks, we ignore His voice. We must learn from these Magi and diligently respond when He calls. We must not hesitate and must seek to daily be attentive to the ways that God invites us to deeper trust, surrender and worship.

Reflect, today, upon God’s call in your life. Are you listening? Are you responding? Are you ready and willing to abandon all else in life so as to serve His holy will? Seek Him, wait on Him and respond. Doing so will be the best decision you ever make.

Lord, I love You and pray that I will be open to Your guiding hand in my life. May I always be attentive to the countless ways that You call to me each and every day. And may I always respond to You with all my heart. Jesus, I trust in You.

 

Epiphany of the Lord Sunday 2026

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. Matthew 2:1–3

Why did God use a star to reveal the birth of the King of Kings to foreigners from the East? To Mary, Joseph, and even the shepherds, God sent an angel to announce the Good News. But to the Magi, He chose to use a medium they understood—a star.

The Magi, originally a priestly caste from Persia, were skilled in astrology, astronomy, dream interpretation, and other forms of wisdom and divination. The three Magi mentioned in Matthew’s Gospel were clearly experts in astrology, carefully studying the night sky. On the night of Christ’s birth, they made an extraordinary discovery: a new star had appeared in the sky. They knew it was a sign of great significance. According to their beliefs, the appearance of a new star heralded the birth of a new king.

This star was not just a celestial phenomenon; it symbolized the light of Christ breaking into the world, guiding all nations—Jew and Gentile alike—toward the Savior. Just as God drew humble Jewish shepherds to the newborn King, He also drew representatives of the Gentiles to adore Him, for Jesus came to save all of humanity.

The divine initiative to include the Gentiles was not a new concept but a fulfillment of a promise made to Abraham: “All the families of the earth will find blessing in you” (Genesis 12:3). The prophets and Psalms echo this theme, emphasizing that all nations will come to the Lord (see Isaiah 2:2-4; Psalm 67). In Jesus’ public ministry, we see His outreach to the Gentiles, a mission that continued in the early Church, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. At the time of Jesus’ birth, however, the Jewish emphasis was primarily on being the chosen people. The story of the Epiphany reveals God’s universal call to holiness from the very beginning of Jesus’ life, establishing that His mission was for all people, not just for Israel.

Because of this universal call to holiness, we who believe in Christ and live our Catholic faith must avoid becoming isolated or insular, creating a small, self-contained world. Instead, we are called to live our faith in a way that is welcoming to all and engaged with the broader world, reflecting the universal mission of the Church. Being Catholic is not merely a cultural heritage; it is the spiritual means of eternal salvation that everyone needs. The word “epiphany” means “manifestation,” and Christ must be made manifest to all, becoming the King of every soul.

As we celebrate the Epiphany, be open to the ways God might want to use you to share the light of faith with those who are not yet faithful Catholics. We must be like the star of Bethlehem, drawing others to Christ in ways they can understand and accept. This is best accomplished when we place ourselves at God’s service, ready to be used as instruments of His grace. God alone knows how to draw all people to Himself, and when we offer ourselves to His service, He will inspire us and use us to be that shining light, guiding others out of darkness and into His marvelous light.

My Lord and Light of the World, You desire to shine brightly for all to see, so that all may be drawn to You, the one and only Savior of all. Please use me as You will, to be like that star over Bethlehem. Give me wisdom, love, and courage to shine brightly, radiating Your light for all to see. Jesus, I trust in You.

 

The Epiphany of the Lord 2026

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I thank you for sending your Son to inaugurate your Kingdom on earth. I am a member of that Kingdom through my Baptism, which cured me of the stain of original sin and made me your adopted child.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Epiphanic Light of Christ: Following Epiphany Sunday, the Gospels this week will focus on various epiphanies or manifestations. Today, the focus is on what Jesus manifests and reveals at the beginning of his public ministry, i.e., his announcement that the “Kingdom of the Heavens” is at hand. Matthew tells us that after his Baptism in the Jordan and Temptation in the Desert, Jesus left his hometown of Nazareth and began to live in Capernaum, a town on the Sea of Galilee. Matthew mentions the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali that formed part of the region of Galilee and recalls that Isaiah had prophesied that these lands would experience a great light. Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown, was in Zebulun, and the fishing village of Capernaum, where Jesus eventually took up residence, was in Naphtali. The two regions saw a great light, the epiphanic light of Jesus Christ. This is significant because these Galilean regions were among the first to be ravaged by the Assyrian invasions from 733 to 732 B.C. (see 2 Kings 15:29). “Jesus targets Galilee as the place to begin reversing the tragedies of Israel’s history by restoring the 12 tribes in the New Covenant” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Old and New Testament, 1731). In restoring the twelve tribes, Jesus is working toward the restoration of the Kingdom of David. 

2. The Kingdom of the Heavens: When Jesus begins to preach, he takes up the message of John the Baptist and calls the people of Galilee to repent. This is an invitation to the people to change their mindset. The reason why such a change is necessary is that the Kingdom of the Heavens has drawn near. Matthew uses the expression “Kingdom of the Heavens,” while the other Gospels tend to use the expression “Kingdom of God.” The reason why Matthew uses the expression is that his Gospel emphasizes the inbreaking of the Kingdom of the Heavens here on earth. When Jesus gives a series of parables on the Kingdom, he speaks about how good and evil will be present in the Kingdom on earth and how the Kingdom will transform society like yeast in bread dough. The Kingdom of the Heavens is like a seed that will start out very small but grow to international dimensions and welcome the Gentile nations. Only at the end of time will good and evil be definitively separated.

3. The Gospel of the Kingdom: Jesus often taught on the Sabbath in the synagogues of Galilee. In those synagogues, he proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom. This was the good news that the ancient Kingdom of David would be restored. In 2 Samuel 7, God swore a covenant oath to David that his kingdom would last forever. Jesus, the royal son of David, came to fulfill that covenant oath. The Kingdom of David was not restored as a political kingdom with military power and earthly wealth. It was restored as a spiritual kingdom and liturgical empire, with earthly and heavenly dimensions. In the Gospel, we see Jesus heal every disease and sickness. These physical healings were signs (CCC, 547-550) that pointed to something greater, to the future spiritual healings in the Sacraments of the Church. The Church is the seed and beginning of the Kingdom of the Heavens inaugurated on earth by Christ (CCC, 567). “By freeing some individuals from the earthly evils of hunger, injustice, illness, and death, Jesus performed messianic signs. Nevertheless, he did not come to abolish all evils here below, but to free men from the gravest slavery, sin, which thwarts them in their vocation as God’s sons and causes all forms of human bondage” (CCC, 549).

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, help me to hear the Gospel of your Kingdom each day as I speak with you in prayer and meditate on your Word. It is a Kingdom of justice, love, mercy, purity, meekness, humility, peace, charity, and grace.

 

The Epiphany of the Lord 2025

Opening Prayer: Lord God, the Magi from the east traveled many miles to encounter your Son in Bethlehem. They worshipped your Son and brought him gifts. I want to do the same and encounter you and your Son. I bring the humble gift of myself to you today.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Gold for their King: The Magi, who came to Bethlehem and gave tribute to Jesus, were members of a priestly-political class from the east. They discerned the sign of the star as indicating the birth of the “King of the Jews.” Their gift of gold symbolizes the “wealth of the nations” being brought to Jesus, the newborn king. In this way, Matthew sees the visit of the Magi as the fulfillment of the First Reading from Isaiah: “dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the Lord.” The idea is that all nations, from all four directions, come to give homage and tribute to God. The visit of the Magi anticipates the day when the Gentile nations will join the restored tribes of Israel in the Church.

2. Frankincense for their God: When the Magi began their journey, they were intent on rendering homage to the “King of the Jews.” But when they encountered the newborn king in the house in Bethlehem, they prostrated themselves before the child in an act of worship. They offered the gift of frankincense, which was used in liturgical worship to symbolize the rising of our prayers to God. This gift is indicative of their initial recognition of Jesus’ divine nature. 

3. Myrrh for their Priestly Savior: Myrrh was an anointing oil used to consecrate Levitical priests and the Tabernacle in the wilderness (Exodus 30:23-33). It was also a burial ointment (John 19:39-40) (see Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament, 9). The gift is a recognition of Jesus’ humanity and his mission to save and redeem us by dying for us. Jesus is our redeemer, who pays our debt of sin, and our eternal high priest, who offers himself for our sins and establishes the New Covenant.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are my King and Savior. You guide and govern me with justice and want to lead me to true peace. I offer myself to you and all that I am. I ask that you rescue me today and help me in my affliction. Have pity on me and shower me with your mercy. 

 

The Epiphany of the Lord, 2024

Opening Prayer: Lord, the Magi from the east traveled many miles to encounter you in your dwelling in Bethlehem. They worshipped you and brought you gifts. I want to do the same. I want to encounter you. I bring you the humble gift of myself to you today.

Encountering the Word of God

 1. Three Epiphanies: An epiphany is a divine manifestation. The liturgy today celebrates three such epiphanies. Today we celebrate the visit of the Magi and the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles. Tomorrow, we will celebrate the Baptism of the Lord and the manifestation of Jesus to Israel. The third manifestation is at the Wedding in Cana and is given to Jesus’ disciples. The threefold manifestation is captured in an antiphon from today’s Liturgy of the Hours: “Three mysteries mark this holy day: today the star leads the Magi to the infant Christ; today water is changed into wine for the wedding feast; today Christ wills to be baptized by John in the river Jordan to bring us salvation.” The Catechism teaches that the Epiphany is the manifestation of Jesus as the Messiah of Israel, the Son of God, and the Savior of the world (see CCC, 528). 

 2. Nations Shall Walk by Jerusalem’s Radiance: Isaiah speaks about the coming of the light and the manifestation of the Lord God to all the nations of the world. He foresees the day when people from all nations will stream to Jerusalem on pilgrimage and bring frankincense to worship the true God and gold as a tribute for the universal King. This prophecy is fulfilled during the visit of the Magi, who represent the Gentile nations and give tribute to the newborn King, our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

 3. The False King: When the Magi encountered Herod, they encountered the false “King of the Jews.” Herod was not a descendant of David, not from the tribe of Judah, and not an Israelite. He was an Idumaean, a descendant of the Edomites from Jacob’s brother, Esau. He was appointed the “King of Judah” by the Roman Senate and given an army to defeat the Parthian invasion of Palestine. He reigned as a vassal king of Judah from 37 to 4 B.C. Herod tried to validate his appointment as king by marrying a princess from the Hasmonean dynasty. He wanted to be recognized as another King Solomon and so he rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem. He wanted to be recognized as a priest-king and Messiah figure. At the same time, he stopped at nothing to keep his power. He murdered his own sons and one of his wives thinking that they were threats to his rule. He felt threatened by the newborn son of Mary, whom the Magi called the “King of the Jews” and plotted to kill the baby Jesus. After worshipping the true King of Israel and offering him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, the Magi did not go back to the wicked and false King Herod.

 Conversing with Christ: Lord, you are my King and Savior. You guide and govern me with justice and want to lead me to true peace. I offer myself to you and all that I am. I ask that you rescue me today and help me in my affliction. Have pity on me and shower me with your mercy.