"At your baptism in the Jordan, O Lord, the adoration of the Most Holy Trinity was manifested: the Father’s voice bore witness to you, calling you "Beloved Son", and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the sure truth of this word. O Christ God that you have manifested yourself and you have illuminated the world, glory to you."
(from the Apolytikion of the Solemnity of Saint Theophany)
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to the Apostle and Evangelist St. Matthew (Mt 4,12-17)
And when Jesus had heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee, and when he had left Nazareth, he came to dwell at Capernaum, by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
And the land of Zebulun, and the land of Naphtali, via the sea, beyond the Jordan, the Galilee of the people; and the people in darkness saw a great light; and upon them that dwelt on the earth, and the shadow of death, a light rose up.
Then Jesus began to preach and say: «Be converted, for the kingdom of heaven is near».
Reflection
Dear brothers and sisters in the faith, all peace and consolation to you all!
On this first Sunday after the Holy Theophany of Our Lord, God, and Saviour Jesus Christ, we find ourselves here, united by the Word of God, to reflect on two passages of the Scriptures that offer us an extraordinary perspective on divine grace and its impact on our lives. In today’s readings, we see a thread linking Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Eph 4:7-13) and the Gospel of Matthew (Mt 12-17), revealing a profound connection between the gift of grace and the mission of Jesus.
Saint Paul teaches us that every member of the Christian community has been endowed with gifts according to the measure of Christ’s grace. This grace, as mentioned in his letters, finds its fullest incarnation in Jesus Christ. He performs extraordinary works in the name of the Father, freely distributing his teaching, his healings, and his love. And it is through these actions that Christ’s message comes to life, and the Gospel invites us to reflect on how to welcome this grace into our lives.
In the Gospel of Matthew, however, Jesus carries out a ministry that goes beyond physical healing, because he tries to touch people’s hearts. The connection between the two readings is manifested in the fact that God’s grace is not an isolated gift, but something that we must share with generosity and compassion, just as Jesus does. His actions are not selfish or limited to a select group; on the contrary, they are open to all who wish to receive his message. This leads us to consider how we in turn can share God’s grace with others, opening our hearts to generosity and service.
In harmony with this Sunday’s call to conversion in the Gospel, the central message invites us to recognize Jesus as the Son of God and to respond with an open and converted heart. This call is not simply an act of repentance, but an active and sincere commitment, a radical change in our daily lives. Conversion challenges us not only to accept the grace of Christ, but also to share this gift with others, becoming instruments of God’s compassion in the world.
Dear brothers and sisters, let us reflect together on the challenge of conversion, a path that calls us to totally change our hearts and our way of life to draw closer to God. However, we recognize that there are obstacles that can hinder this path of transformation. Elements such as attachment to sin, pride, selfishness, and lack of trust can act as significant barriers to our approach to God.
It is imperative, therefore, that, as a community of believers, we face these obstacles openly. Individualism, spiritual indifference, and lack of discernment are challenges that must be overcome collectively. In a world that often promotes isolation and selfishness, as a community we must embrace humility and solidarity. Only together can we face these obstacles and overcome them.
For this reason, conversion is not a solitary journey, but a collective challenge that we face together, supporting each other. Humility opens the door to awareness of our human limitations, while solidarity unites us in pursuing the common goal of spiritual transformation. In this collective effort, we can share our experiences, learn from others, and find strength in prayer and fraternal communion.
Brothers and sisters, as we celebrate the culmination of the Nativity, the birth of God the Son, Saint Theophany, the manifestation of God as Trinity at the Jordan, it becomes a moment of great sanctification. It is a time when awareness of our collective connection intensifies, as we immerse ourselves in the Divine Mysteries. In this celebration, we recognize that our spiritual transformation is part of a larger process that involves the community and is reflected in the mystery of the divine presence in our lives.
Thus, water is blessed not only to remember this sublime event, but also to remind us that we are all invited to drink it and participate in the rites where it is sprinkled. (sprinkling within the surroundings). This is a time when our homes, workplaces and vehicles are touched by God through these wonderful Mysteries.
This is truly a memory that the Church begins at home, extends to various areas of our lives, and makes us feel deeply that we are part of that communion. In this context, blessed water becomes a tangible symbol of this connection, recalling to mind our collective commitment to spiritual research and transformation.
Today we find ourselves as a community of believers, united in our journey of conversion. This process involves the whole community, since together we face the obstacles that threaten to turn away from God. With humility and solidarity, we work with commitment to build a more open and welcoming path for all, aware that our collective strength towards conversion reflects the divine grace that guides and sustains us along this path.
We are a Communion of Saints, gathered by the Lord of the vineyard around his altar to celebrate the worship of the Heavenly Jerusalem. This Communion of Saints is manifested not only in solemn places such as the throne of glory and the sublime cathedrals, but also in the modest temples of the church and in the simplicity of our homes, which we have consecrated to welcome the presence of God.
We also direct our attention to the Kingdom of God, the goal of our faith. This kingdom is characterized by love, justice, and peace, where God reigns supreme in the hearts of those who welcome him. As Christians, we commit ourselves to live according to the teachings of Christ, spreading his love and preparing ourselves for the fullness of the coming Kingdom. In this way, our Communion becomes a tangible witness of the hope and redemption that the Kingdom of God brings into the world.
Beloved brothers, when we reflect on the Kingdom of God, we must understand that it is not only a future reality, but something that can be experienced here and now. This manifestation takes place through the relationships of love and justice that we cultivate in the community. In this context, the role of deacons is essential. We are all called to be builders of this Kingdom, helping people to recognize the presence of God in their daily lives.
The Scriptures introduce us to the Kingdom of God through various descriptions in the Gospels. Jesus, in his message, uses parables to explain its greatness and scope. These images, like the hidden treasure, the mustard seed and the precious pearl, invite us to reflect on the preciousness of the Kingdom of God and its silent but powerful growth in our lives.
The Kingdom of God is not only a physical place, but a spiritual reality that permeates the hearts of those who welcome Christ as Lord and Saviour. It is the kingdom of love, justice and peace, a kingdom in which God reigns supreme in human hearts. This reality is already present among us, but also a future destiny that we await with hope.
Understanding and embracing the Kingdom of God presents us with a challenge and a responsibility. We must ask ourselves how we can help make the Kingdom manifest in our lives and in our community. The journey towards the Kingdom requires a continuous conversion, a constant renewal of our spiritual life, a sincere abandonment to the Lord and an active commitment to live according to his teachings.
Dear friends, on this path to the Kingdom of God, our role is crucial. As members of the Church, we are all called to be credible witnesses of the Gospel, agents of change and bearers of the light of Christ in the world.
Dear community, it is with humility and gratitude that I find myself here today, aware of the responsibility and blessing that the Lord has entrusted to me in my service as a deacon. I want to share with you the deep desire that animates my heart: to be a channel through which people can approach Christ, experiencing his transforming grace.
The role I have been playing as a deacon for a year and a half is a ministry of service and charity, but it goes beyond the fulfilment of liturgical rituals. I have been called to be a servant of the Gospel, a witness to the love of Christ. Today I would like to reflect on how I, as a deacon, can help bring people closer to Christ.
First, prayer is the foundation of my service. Through constant communion with God, I acquire the spiritual strength necessary to be an effective instrument of His grace. I pray not only for our community, but also for those who are far from the faith, asking the Lord to open their hearts to his Light.
In my service, I recognize the crucial importance of empathic listening. I strive to be available to hear people’s stories, both in the workplace and in everyday life. Understanding their joys, struggles and questions about faith becomes a fundamental act of empathy. Often, mere presence and attentive listening can create a bridge of trust through which the message of Christ can flow freely.
It must be said that my service is not limited to liturgical celebrations; I feel a profound need to bring the light of Christ even in everyday situations. Both in moments of joy and in those of sadness, I sincerely seek to be close to people, sharing the hope and consolation that only Christ can offer.
In this spirit, I ask each one of you to join me in this commitment. May empathic listening and the witness of Christ be the hallmark of our community. Through our loving presence and sharing hope and consolation, we can be true instruments of Christ’s light, radiating love and compassion in every aspect of our life and the lives of others.
Almighty and Eternal Father, we turn to You with open and humble hearts. Holy Spirit, be our guide as we contemplate the Holy Scriptures.
Almighty God, in your immense mercy, let us pray that your grace will guide us in the call to conversion. May our being be transformed deeply, embracing your will with renewed hearts. May your heavenly fire kindle the desire in our souls to reflect the generosity and compassion of Christ, so that his message of love and hope may shine through us, reaching out to those around us.
Our Father, listen to our supplication that from the depths of our heart rises towards you: Make us instruments aware of your will, so that we can bring your Kingdom of love, justice, and peace wherever we go. May your Holy Spirit guide us on this journey and give us the strength to be true citizens of your eternal Kingdom.
Amen.
May the blessing of God the Almighty Father descend upon you and remain with you always.
Archdeacon Michele Alberto Del Duca.
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