A WORD FROM YOUR PASTOR

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

On the solemnity of the Epiphany, the Opening Prayer (the so-called "Collect") in the Latin original is this:
Deus, qui hodierna die Unigenitum tuum
gentibus stella duce revelasti,
concede propitius, ut qui iam te ex fide cognovimus,
usque ad contemplandam speciem tuae celsitudinis perducamur.

The 1974 English translation is still ringing in our ears:
Father,
you revealed your Son to the nations
by the guidance of a star.
Lead us to your glory in heaven
by the light of faith.

This is simple and beautiful. But listen to the new translation:
O God, who on this day
revealed your Only Begotten Son to the nations
by the guidance of a star,
grant in your mercy
that we, who know you already by faith,
may be brought to behold the beauty of your sublime glory.

Isn't this even more beautiful, more solemn, more sacred?
I would say it highlights better the deep mystery of the Epiphany, the humble manifestation of Christ's universal will of salvation to the Magi.

From faith to sight: this is our journey here on earth. May the coming year 2012 bring us closer to our final goal in heaven.

Father Herbert Gillessen

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The Epiphany of the Lord

"When the magi 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…"

Christians have seen in this act of homage the fulfilment of prophecies in the Old Testament. Isaiah had seen "caravans of camels … bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD" (60, 6).

Solomon had seen "the kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts; the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute. All kings shall pay him homage, all nations shall serve him" (Ps 72, 10-11).

Saint Paul explains the theological dimension of this act of universal adoration: "Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (Eph 3, 6).

Recently Christians from Sri Lanka invited me to a Christmas party. I particularly enjoyed a little play. Three kings appeared on the stage, one Singhalese, one Tamil, and one Burgher. They all saw the new star and decided to go to Bethlehem and hail the new-born king, each in his own language.

May Jesus reveal himself to all Nations as the Saviour of the world!

HG

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