Epiphany of the Lord - Called to Proclaim with Credibility

The Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord: January 04, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 60:1–6; Psalm 72:1–2, 7–8, 10–13; Ephesians 3:2–3, 5–6; Matthew 2:1–12

The Nativity of Christ by  Franz von Rohden
 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/Bdcd3_gjHpY

As we start the new year 2026, we are very much in the Season of Christmas. The joy of this season still permeates around us. We are also joyful as we say goodbye to the year 2025 and welcome the year 2026. We are hopeful that this new year brings us glad tidings and beautiful things in our lives. With such hope and earnestness, we begin our journey of life this year. Liturgically, we are celebrating today the feast of the Epiphany, which is also called the manifestation of the Lord to others. It is celebrated as the visit of the three Kings or Magi to the baby Jesus. The liturgical readings of today invite us look at the simplicity and trust of these three kings or representatives of the wider world and embrace the Son of God wholeheartedly. 

1. Always, there is a deeper yearning for God

The Feast of the Epiphany invites us to contemplate a God who reveals Himself gently and lovingly to all who search for truth. In the story of the Magi, we see a God who does not impose Himself through power or force, but who attracts the human heart through a star, a journey, and a humble child lying in a manger. The Magi remind us that faith is born from a deep longing and yearning — a longing to discover meaning, to seek light, and to encounter God. They did not reach Bethlehem by accident; they allowed the restlessness of their hearts to lead them forward. They looked beyond themselves, beyond comfort and certainty, and trusted the signs God placed before them.

Epiphany teaches us that God often reveals Himself in ordinary people, simple situations, fragile moments, and unexpected places. He comes to us in daily life, in relationships, in responsibilities, and even in struggles, perhaps even while drinking a cup of coffee. To recognize Him, we must allow our hearts to be purified of pride, fear, and self-centeredness. In God, there are no procedures and processes. Like the Magi, we are called not to stand at a distance but to draw near, to kneel, and to surrender.

2. The quest for God makes us work 

The Gospel of Matthew 2:1–12 contrasts the openness of the Magi with the closed hearts of Herod and the chief priests. Herod is threatened by the presence of a child, because true kingship unsettles false power. The priests know the Scriptures, yet their knowledge does not move them to take even a single step toward Bethlehem. The Magi know very little, yet they are willing to walk, search, question, and persevere. Epiphany reminds us that faith is not merely a matter of information but of transformation — not only of knowing about God, but of allowing ourselves to be led by Him.

The gifts of the Magi symbolize that we must always give the best from our part. The gold represents our gifts, talents, responsibilities, and achievements. Frankincense symbolizes our prayer, our worship, and our desire to live in God’s presence. Myrrh represents our wounds, sufferings, failures, and limitations. God does not ask only for what is strong and successful in us; He also receives what is fragile, painful, and incomplete. When we offer our whole life to Him, His light transforms even our weaknesses into grace.

3. The journey towards God demands simplicity and silence

The journey of the Magi mirrors our own journey of faith. It is not always straight or easy. The path to God is not always clear or short. There are moments of confusion, times when the star seems to disappear, and situations that discourage us. Yet God continues to guide us patiently. The star reappears when the heart remains open. And when the Magi finally arrive, they do not find a palace, nor a king clothed in splendour, but a poor dwelling and a child held tenderly by His mother. It is there, in simplicity and silence, that they recognize the hidden glory of God. They bow down and worship — not because of what they see, but because of what they believe. 

We may not find God when we shout at the top of our voices, "Alleluia" or "Praise the Lord." God comes to us in our tenderness and gentleness. God shows us the way to Him with little complication or confusion. There is always clarity. That's why, from our part, we must discern. In fact, we must discern rightly. An authentic encounter with Christ always changes our direction. We cannot meet Him and remain the same. When His light enters our hearts, it invites us to choose new attitudes, new priorities, and a new way of living — a way guided by truth, compassion, and hope. We can practice this in the New Year 2026.

Questions for self-reflection

1. Like the Magi, am I willing to step out of my comfort zone and seek God with openness and perseverance?
2. Can I recognize God’s presence in simple, ordinary, and humble situations of daily life?
3. Are pride, fear, or the need for control preventing me from truly surrendering myself to God?
4. Am I willing to set out on a journey of faith like the Magi — even when the road is uncertain, and the outcome is not fully clear?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, Light of the world, we come before You with grateful hearts. Just as You guided the Magi by the light of a star, guide our hearts toward You and give us the courage to seek You beyond our fears, our comforts, and our uncertainties. Help us to recognize Your presence in simple and humble situations of daily life, and grant us the faith to kneel before You in trust and surrender. Receive the gifts of our lives — our strengths and hopes, as well as our wounds and struggles — and transform them by Your grace. May our encounter with You lead us to walk a new path, so that we may reflect Your light in our families, our communities, and in the world. We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

- Fr Olvin Veigas, SJ

E-mail: olvinveigas@jesuits.net

Blog: Celebrate Faith

Video: YouTube

01 January 2025

Christmas - Making History in the Heart of Humanity

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Vigil Mass: December 24, 2025

Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Matthew 1:1-25

Icon of Nativity
 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/blrSevl9Pb4

What is it that makes us so excited about Christmas? Certainly, it is the commemoration of the birth of Jesus. An event that took place 2000 years ago still continues to fascinate us. It is an event that changed the course of history. It changed the global setting. It infused new life into the world, created a new culture and formed a new civilization. It is called Christian civilization. The fact of the birth of Jesus Christ, the God-man, has certainly changed the world forever. In fact, it continues to change and transform the world. The event of Jesus continues to shape and renew the lives of people of all ages. It is determental factor that the world continues to see holy men and women from so many countries dedicating their lives exclusively for the service of God and humanity. Therefore, Christmas is nothing but celebrating the life of a man who not only made history in the heart of humanity but continues to remake history through their lives as well. 

1. Christmas: Infuses newness and freshness

One of the beautiful blessings this Christmas brings to us is an understanding of how God continues to love us. In other words, we feel God's closeness and proximity to us. God is not someone distant and faraway. A God who is not bothered about us. In fact, the very feeling of this great feast is that God continues to shape our lives and the world with so many global and personal events. God enters our lives in either a big or small way, yet it brings us a promise of hope and the possibility that we are all made for God.

Emmanuel — Opening to the Reality of God with us

Fourth Sunday of Advent: December 21, 2025

Readings: Isaiah 7:10–14; Psalm 24:1–6; Romans 1:1–7; Matthew 1:18–24

The Annunciation of Mary by Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1898
 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/FdMynMqrmZQ 

What a beautiful expression about God that we have in this Advent Season: Emmanuel—God with us! He is with us even before we came into this world. He continues to accompany us in every day of our lives, both in our joys and sorrows, struggles and strengths. As we enter into the fourth Sunday of Advent, the liturgical readings invite us to experience the presence of God with us, around us and in us. God continues to surprise us with His presence in spite of our unknowability of him in its fullest reality.  What we know about God is very little, and it is through other creatures. The world cannot run automatically or preplanned. Therefore, there should be someone who is overseeing this whole creation, all that exists and all that moves. In this context, the Advent experience becomes meaningful and fruitful. 

1. The enchanting experience of God with us

As Advent draws to its quiet climax, the Gospel does not place us in a crowded stable or before singing angels, but in the interior world of one man—Joseph. The Gospel writer St Matthew 1:18–24 invites us to contemplate a faith that listens in silence, trusts without full understanding, and acts with courage. At the heart of this Gospel echoes a single name, repeated like a gentle refrain: Emmanuel—God with us.

Faith in Question - Believing in the Right Choice

Third Sunday of Advent: December 14, 2025

Readings: Isaiah 35:1–6, 10; Psalm 146:6–10; James 5:7–10; Matthew 11:2–11

Saint John the Baptist in Prison Visited by Two

 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/7Ae2Ra9IJJ4

What is the factor that determines certainty? How can we be certain when someone says something that looks a bit strange or unusual? Today, fact-checking is becoming more common in the media as fake stories and narratives proliferate. There are fraudsters who often deceive those they perceive as "intelligent," "smart," and those in positions by sending links to their mobile devices via WhatsApp, SMS, or email. Many believe in these silly and most stupid things. You may not believe the person who is sitting next to you or your own colleague, but you cultivate such faith in an unknown person who is sitting somewhere else and sending fake messages, and you simply fall for that person. This issue of fact-checking is not just of today; even during the time of Jesus, people were using this element of ascertaining.  We see in the liturgical readings of today, especially in the Gospel, that John the Baptist, even while sitting in prison, wants to ensure that Jesus, who is becoming a popular figure, is the right one about whom he was preaching.

1. From doubt to certainty - Believing in the right one

In the Gospel reading of today, Matthew 11:2–11, we see John the Baptist sitting in a dark prison cell. The prophet who once stood in the desert with fire in his voice is now surrounded by silence and uncertainty. From this place of confinement, a question rises from his heart regarding the person of Jesus about whom he has been preaching for long: “Are you the One who is to come, or shall we look for another?”  Absolutely, a striking moment. The greatest prophet, the fearless spokesperson of the Messiah, now experiences the ache of doubt. 

Advent - Finding Desert and Rivers of our Lives

Second Sunday in Advent: December 07, 2025

Readings: Isaiah 11:1–10; Psalm 72:1–2, 7–8, 12–13, 17; Romans 15:4–9; Matthew 3:1–12

St John the Baptist preaching painting by Mattia Preti

 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here:  https://youtu.be/Tf8EmXSNPT4 

            Prophets are the men of God who listen to the voice of God. They do not speak for themselves, but for God. They are men of courage and resilience. Nothing can stop them from doing what they are supposed to do. They speak directly and boldly. Their strength is God. The worldly authority, power, wealth, honour and prestige do not touch them, because their focus is on doing God's will in their lives. There are prophets even today, but we find it difficult to recognize or listen to them. We are ready to listen to the non-prophets who exercise power and authority. As a result, we lose sight of such precious gems in our society and world. As we enter into the Second Sunday of Advent, the liturgical readings prepare us boldly to embrace more of God and less of worldly things. Even though the Advent candle may be lit with a theme of "peace," the prophets Isaiah and St John the Baptist ask us to embrace peace with justice, thus straightening our lives.

1. Advent: Looking for spaces of renewal

In the Gospel reading of today, Matthew 3:1-12, we see John the Baptist appearing in the wilderness with a special message to the Israelites. He preaches in the desert of Judea, which also offered the solace of the river Jordan. The desert is not a lonely place. There is a voice of God. In such a place, St John is preaching and praying for the repentance of his people. In our busy schedule, when we get engrossed in too much noise and distractions, we must find solace in such places of the desert or the River Jordan. 

Be Attentive and be Awakened - God will Deliver

First Sunday of Advent: November 30, 2025

Readings: Isaiah 2:1–5; Psalm 122:1–9; Romans 13:11–14; Matthew 24:37–44

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/BtQiuMaLlBo

Being attentive is part and parcel of our lives. Even though we are imperfect beings yet we want to be perfect in whatever we do. Therefore, we give so much attention to simple and small details. Sometimes, in spite of giving attention to little details, we may go wrong. We may try to correct it, perhaps the next time. When guests visit us, we give our time and attention. This shows that we have time for them and appreciate their visit. It also tells us that we love them. Having concluded the ordinary liturgical year, this Sunday we begin the great Advent. It means "coming" or "arrival." Firstly, it is remembering the first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Secondly, it is awaiting the second arrival of Jesus Christ. As we enter into the Season of Advent, we reflect on this theme of "Hope." We are getting ready to welcome Jesus amongst us with the hope that we will truly be blessed and graced. The liturgical readings help us meet our saviour with such expectations, attention and hope. 

1. Advent: Gazing our eyes to the heavens

In the Gospel reading of today, Matthew 24:37–44, Jesus speaks about his second coming. His words invite his disciples to be attentive and ready for that day. Jesus speaks of the days of Noah, of ordinary people going about the ordinary rhythms of life—eating, drinking, marrying, working. Nothing dramatic, nothing sinful. Just life unfolding as usual. Yet, beneath that ordinariness, something divine was approaching, something beautiful was drawing near, and they did not recognize it.

Christ the King - Walking with a Person of Hope

Solemnity of Christ the King: November 23, 2025

Readings: 2 Samuel 5:1–3; Psalm 122:1–5; Colossians 1:12–20; Luke 23:35–43

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/LafZGRdNUAo

As most of us are born and brought up in democratic countries, the word "King" is a bit alien to us. Moreover, a good number of us may not like to have so-called "kings" on earth. Having studied history in schools and colleges, we have seen what kings did in their lives. Somebody put it so wisely: "Absolute power corrupts absolutely." Most of the kings have been nasty and hypocritical, enjoying the wealth of the people. St Ignatius of Loyola gives us two well-noted meditations in his Spiritual Exercises: 1. Two Standards, 2. Kingdom Exercise comprises the earthly king and heavenly king, where he depicts the heavenly king as the most perfect one that Christians must emulate in their life. As the liturgical year draws to its close, the Church invites us to look at Jesus, our King. He reigns in a way the world could never imagine.

1. Christ the King - A man for all seasons

The scripture is full of mentions of kings. The great kings David and Solomon steal the show in the Bible. Even God is likened to a King or the King of glory. In the New Testament, we see people's desire to see in Jesus a king who would deliver them from the clutches of Roman rule. However, the Gospel does not show us a triumphant ruler surrounded by glory; it shows us a silent, wounded Jesus, whose kingship is revealed not in splendour but in surrender, not in power but in love. And perhaps this is exactly where the year must end: at the foot of the Cross, where everything is stripped away except love.

Labouring for Eternity

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: November 16, 2025

Readings: Malachi 3:19–20; Psalm 98:5–9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7–12; Luke 21:5–19

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/dyAV341UTW8

We love to see and admire great and grand things. Our fascination with such things is natural and real as we are blessed with a capacity to enjoy such beautiful things. Unfortunately, the so-called great and beautiful things are also time-bound. They do not last for eternity. There is nothing in this world that we can claim will last forever. They are short-lived, just like our lives. They are created by someone. Therefore, having an awareness of uncertainty and limitedness is good for us so that we do not land in a world of despair and unhappiness when the end comes unexpectedly. We must be ready for anything and everything that would occur in our lives. Only then will we be content to know that there is also life beyond the earthly things. As we inch closer to Advent, the liturgical readings are becoming poignantly clear that we must rely on God and God alone.

1. Built by human hands has an end!

In today’s Gospel Luke 21:5–19, Jesus stands before the grandeur of the Temple in Jerusalem — its stones gleaming in the sunlight, its beauty admired by all. It is the second temple built by the decree of King Cyrus, the king of Syria, a non-Jew, around 546 BC (cf. Ezra 1:1–4). However, the construction began later and was completed under Darius I in 515 BC (cf. Ezra 6:15). The First Temple, built by King Solomon, had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar II, the King of Babylon, in 587/586 BC during the Babylonian captivity. Thus, the Second Temple became the center of Jewish faith and identity — a visible sign that they were once again the people of Yahweh, the chosen race. Later, it was magnificently expanded and renovated by King Herod the Great beginning around 20 BC, and this is the temple Jesus refers to in today’s Gospel.

You are God’s building - Preserving Our Sacred Spaces

32nd Ordinary Sunday - The Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome: November 09, 2025

Readings: Ezekiel 47:1–2, 8–9, 12; Psalms  46:2–3, 5–6, 8–9; 1 Corinthians 3:9–11, 16–17; John 2:13–22

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/2Kt-T5qpUBM

How wonderful it is to know that we are all God's beautiful mansions! As God's magnificent creations, we have a place for God in our lives. It is God who makes us dwell in Him. There is nothing that can separate the creator from its creation. Just like an artist makes a beautiful painting, even if someone buys that artwork, it still is the creation of the artist, and every detail in it is the imagination of that artist and not of that buyer. On this day, the Church celebrates the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, a mother Church for all the other Churches. It invites us to look beyond the stones and grandeur of any Church building to what it truly represents — the living, breathing presence of God among His people. The Lateran Basilica, the cathedral of the Pope as Bishop of Rome, stands as a symbol of unity, the mother and head of all churches in the world. Yet, in celebrating its dedication, we are called not only to honour a structure but to renew our awareness that we ourselves are temples of the living God. The liturgical readings on this day invite us to do just that. 

1. A Stronger Zeal for God's Work

In the Gospel John 2:13–22, Jesus enters the temple in Jerusalem and finds it turned into a market. His reaction is bewildering: He drives out the merchants, overturns tables, and commands, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” (v.16). This dramatic moment is not about anger alone — it is about zeal. Zeal for God’s house, zeal for the purity of worship, zeal for restoring what has become corrupted.