Epiphany 1/4/2026
Some thoughts
Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, spoke these words on the Feast of the Epiphany in 2013: "For the Church which believes and prays, the Wise Men from the East who, guided by the star, made their way to the manger of Bethlehem, are only the beginning of a great procession which winds throughout history. Thus the liturgy reads the Gospel which relates the journey of the Wise Men, together with the magnificent prophetic visions of the 60th chapter of the Book of Isaiah and Psalm 71, which depict in bold imagery the pilgrimage of the peoples to Jerusalem. Like the shepherds, who as the first visitors to the newborn Child in the manger, embodied the poor of Israel and more generally those humble souls who live in deep interior closeness to Jesus, so the men from the East embody the world of the peoples, the Church of the Gentiles – the men and women who in every age set out on the way which leads to the Child of Bethlehem, to offer him homage as the Son of God and to bow down before him. The Church calls this feast “Epiphany” – the appearance of the Godhead. If we consider the fact that from the very beginning men and women of every place, of every continent, of all the different cultures, mentalities and lifestyles, have been on the way to Christ, then we can truly say that this pilgrimage and this encounter with God in the form of a Child is an epiphany of God’s goodness and loving kindness for humanity (cf. Tit 3:4).”
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI writes in a clear and beautiful style. He has much to say even though he is no longer with us (d. December 31, 2022). He tells the story much better than I can.
May 2026 be the beginning of a new adventure in prayer and love of Jesus Christ and our brothers and sisters.
Peace and Good,
Fred Schaeffer, OFS - 1/4/2026