Sent by the Father into the world, Jesus came preaching the Gospel, saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." Christ called and sent apostles like Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John, and pastors and teachers throughout the ages so that this gospel of the kingdom may be preached to the whole world. God also calls each individual Christian into his family, the Church, and makes us witnesses to others of the good news of salvation. There is urgency to the Lord's call. Simon and Andrew left their nets "immediately." Our message is the same, "The time is fulfilled, the kingdom is at hand, repent and believe," for, as St. Paul wrote, "Now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Get to Know Jesus as the Leader
Today, Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael to follow him. Jesus says, "Follow me!" and the Word creates the desire and ability to follow him. The boy Samuel heard the voice of the Lord calling to him in the temple and answered: "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." God continues to speak to us today in his Word, and we respond as Samuel did, asking our Lord to speak to us, and listening with all our heart.
Get to Know Jesus as the Anointed One
Today we recall an 'old' event in history, the Baptism of Our Lord. God's Word teaches us that it is also a 'current' event producing a new creation and new life for each person who is baptized into Jesus Christ. In the beginning God was pleased with his new creation—light (Genesis 1:4); at Jesus' baptism the Father was pleased with Jesus, his Son (Mark 1:11); and at our baptism into Christ, we are pleasing to God and therefore are able to "walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).
Get to Know Jesus as Savior of All
At Christmas God gave his very best gift. Epiphany is the unwrapping of that gift to see what God has given, to thank him for his gift, and to put his gift to use. Jesus Christ is God's gift to all of humanity. As the Son of God he is ever "God of God, Light of Light." He is the light of the world who enlightens everyone. By faith in him we also become light. In him we are called to arise and shine forth the light of God's salvation, "so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known.”