Archive for January 3, 2026

Epiphany…

Posted: January 3, 2026 by CatholicJules in Life's Journeys, Testimonies
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Today, on the holy day of the Epiphany of the Lord, I experienced a personal epiphany. I realized that all we need is obedience, patience, and the Lord will manifest His glory through our actions, especially when we reach out to help others in love.

During Christmas Eve of 2025, I was at a small family gathering at my mother-in-law’s house. My wife’s aunt was there, suffering from severe knee problems. She wore a knee guard and was clearly in a lot of pain. Although her family members are Catholics, they aren’t practicing. They occasionally attend mass but are mostly immersed in secular life.

In that moment, I prayed silently, “Lord, if it is your will, let me bring your presence into this home.”

As the night progressed, I noticed she needed to go to the bathroom. She took her walking stick and slowly made her way there. I waited outside with a chair, and she was surprised to see me when she came out. She asked if I needed to use the bathroom, but I told her I was waiting for her because I wanted to pray for her. I gestured towards the chair, inviting her to sit, and she was thrilled.

I prayed for her healing and general wellbeing. Afterwards, she expressed her gratitude and mentioned to my wife that I had prayed for her quietly. That evening, knowing my mother-in-law was leaving for the Philippines, I also prayed for her and she was thankful.

A few days later, I inquired of my wife if there was any improvement. She told me her aunt experienced very much less pain than usual that very night when she got home, which I was thankful for. However, what came next was truly the epiphany. Her eldest uncle, who had been there that night, saw me praying outside the bathroom. He later asked his sister if I had prayed for her and mentioned that it was good because I had prayed for him when he was hospitalized with dengue fever early in 2025.

My wife and I had visited him, and I prayed over him then. What I didn’t know until now was that he told his sister that the day after my prayer, his platelet count had significantly increased, leading to his quick discharge from the hospital.

This revelation was profound for me. It reminded me of my initial reluctance to pray for healing for others, then later realising that whether anyone is healed or not is not dependent on me. It is the Lord alone who heals according to His Will.  Through His grace, mercy, and kindness. He can work wonders through us, if we are simply obedient. Amen. ❤️

Sunday Bible Reflection with Dr Scott Hahn

Posted: January 3, 2026 by CatholicJules in Sunday Reflections
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Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord

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

Newborn King

Today the child born on Christmas is revealed to be the long-awaited king of the Jews.

As the priests and scribes interpret the prophecies in today’s Gospel, He is the ruler expected from the line of King David, whose greatness is to reach to the ends of the earth (see Micah 5:1–3; 2 Samuel 5:2).

Jesus is found with His mother, as David’s son, Solomon, was enthroned alongside his Queen Mother (see 1 Kings 2:19). And the magi come to pay Him tribute, as once kings and queens came to Solomon (see 1 Kings 10:2,25).

His coming evokes promises that extend back to Israel’s beginnings.

Centuries before, an evil king seeking to destroy Moses and the Israelites had summoned Balaam, who came from the East with two servants. But Balaam refused to curse Israel, and instead prophesied that a star and royal staff would arise out of Israel and be exalted above all the nations (see Numbers 22:21; 23:7; 24:7, 17).

This is the star the three magi follow. And like Balaam, they too refuse to be tangled in an evil king’s scheme. Their pilgrimage is a sign—that the prophesies in today’s First Reading and Psalm are being fulfilled. They come from afar, guided by God’s light, bearing the wealth of nations, to praise Israel’s God.

We celebrate today our own entrance into the family of God, and the fulfillment of God’s plan that all nations be united with Israel as co-heirs to His Fatherly blessings, as Paul reveals in today’s Epistle.

We too must be guided by the root of David, the bright morning star (see Revelation 22:16), and the light of the world (see Isaiah 42:6; John 8:12).

As the magi adored Him in the manger, let us renew our vow to serve Him, placing our gifts—our intentions and talents—on the altar in this Eucharist. We must offer to Him our very lives in thanksgiving. No lesser gift will suffice for this newborn King.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: January 3, 2026 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Every day is a struggle due to the challenges we face in the world and the various idiosyncrasies of people that might irritate or offend us. Not everyone leads a Christian life. Many people are selfish and only look out for themselves.

However, as disciples of Christ, we must strive for holiness. We should aim to be pure like Christ and holy as our Heavenly Father is holy. By living Christ-like lives, we show gratitude and can guide others by pointing to the living God. We can show them Jesus, who wants to embrace them, love them, and lead them to everlasting life.

This purity of heart allows the love of Christ to flow through us. Let’s take the first step in following the footsteps of Christ. Amen.

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First reading
1 John 2:29-3:6
Everyone must try to be as pure as Christ


You know that God is righteous –
then you must recognise that everyone whose life is righteous
has been begotten by him.

Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us,
by letting us be called God’s children;
and that is what we are.
Because the world refused to acknowledge him,
therefore it does not acknowledge us.
My dear people, we are already the children of God
but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed;
all we know is, that when it is revealed
we shall be like him
because we shall see him as he really is.

Surely everyone who entertains this hope
must purify himself, must try to be as pure as Christ.
Anyone who sins at all
breaks the law,
because to sin is to break the law.
Now you know that he appeared in order to abolish sin,
and that in him there is no sin;
anyone who lives in God does not sin,
and anyone who sins
has never seen him or known him.



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Gospel
John 1:29-34
‘Look: there is the Lamb of God’

Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptising with water.’ John also declared, ‘I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptise with the Holy Spirit.” Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.’