Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

“Arise, shine, for your light has come.”

Readings for Mass

Today, on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, we celebrate a God who refuses to remain hidden. Epiphany is the feast of revelation, of light breaking into darkness, of God made visible not only to Israel but to all peoples. The Scriptures unfold this mystery as a widening horizon, where God’s saving purpose shines outward and draws the whole world toward Christ.

The image of today’s feast is that of the Magi, the three wise men from the east who wander in search of the meaning of a great star. Undeterred by distance or foreign lands they are determined to see what is unfolding before them.

For our diocese, this image carries a particular resonance. Our Church spans vast distances, from the Arctic coasts to the southern forests, and communities are separated by rivers, winter roads, and long stretches of wilderness. Faith here, like the Magi’s journey, involves patience, perseverance, and attentiveness. God’s light shines in remote settlements and in small acts of service and care, often far from the centres of power or visibility. In this northern context, Epiphany reminds us that Christ is revealed not only in grand gestures but in ordinary lives lived with love, faith, and dedication.

The Magi followed the star and were guided by it. Similarly, the people of this diocese—clergy, religious, and lay faithful alike—have learned to follow signs of God’s presence in the everyday: in visiting isolated families, celebrating sacraments in small chapels, sharing hope in times of hardship, and witnessing Christ in one another. Epiphany assures us that God is already at work, often beyond what is familiar or easy to see, and calls us to reflect that light in our own communities and homes.

Isaiah invites us: “Arise, shine; for your light has come.” The prophet speaks to a people who know exile and long shadows, yet promises a light that will be a beacon to the nations. The psalm reinforces this vision: God’s reign, marked by justice, mercy, and care for the poor, draws all peoples to Him. Saint Paul, writing to the Ephesians, reminds us that this light is for everyone—Gentiles and Jews alike, insiders and outsiders. The Epiphany of the Lord is ultimately a celebration of the radical inclusivity of God’s plan. We are all a part of that plan.

May we, like the Magi, rise and shine; may we seek Christ with open hearts; and may we become, in our own way, signs of God’s light for all people, to the farthest corners of our northern home.