A Friend Who Makes Us His Glory
by Fr. David M. Knight
Sunday, January 7, 2024
Solemnity of The Epiphany of the Lord
Lectionary No.20
Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72; Ephesians 3:2–3, 5–6; Matthew 2:1-12
The mystery [is that we] are copartners… in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 3:3
The Epiphany celebrates the “manifestation of the glory” Jesus will reveal when he comes again.
Christ’s glory is unique in this: it is his actual truth, goodness, and beauty made visible. What we call “glory” on earth is often no more than accessories—clothes, protocol, status symbols—that say someone is glorious, but do not actually reveal the person’s real or inner value. They are just wrappings. They are not real.
Christ’s glory is still in the making. His mystery is our history. When Jesus “comes in glory,” his Epiphany will be the “shining out” of the beauty of his Life before and after he came to earth.
Until then, Christ is glorified when divine life shines through human weakness. On earth, Jesus “emptied himself, taking the form of a slave” (Philippians 2:5). He is glorified now in his disciples (John 17:10), whom he sent to preach in unpretentious poverty, stipulating, “The greatest among you will be your servant (Matthew 23:11; Luke 9:48). That is why all pompous externals in the Church obscure his glory. The true glory of Christ appears in the visible lowliness and equality of all. Then the Church is for real.
Friendship is interaction. Interact with Jesus and his glory will appear in you.
ACTION: See every person as your equal and yourself as equal to all.
PRAYER: “Lord, be with me. Let me be with you.”
Reflections brought to you by the Immersed in Christ Ministry
Comments