Three Kings a reminder to be giving

As Christians celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany today, bishops reminded the faithful of the Three Kings who, apart from introducing Jesus Christ as the savior of humanity, taught the virtue of sharing, especially to the poor.

Msgr. Hernando Coronel, rector of the San Carlos Seminary in Makati City, said, “The significance of the Feast of the Epiphany is the spirit of charity. The Kings’ gifts tell us that during these difficult times, we should think about the less fortunate and we should give gifts to them.”

Coronel, a former Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) secretary-general, said the fact that baby Jesus was born in a manger and not in a posh hospital stresses the teaching of the Church that encourages the faithful to help the poor.

He said Gaspar, Melchor and Balthazar, collectively known as the Three Wise Men or Magi, came from foreign lands and guided by an angel, followed a star that led them to Jesus Christ who was born in a manger in Bethlehem.

“The Three Wise Men searched for the child Jesus who would become the King of Kings or the King of Nations,” Coronel added.

For his part, Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez, who is also the CBCP Public Affairs Committee (PAC) chairman, said today’s celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany is a reminder that the savior of mankind is born and that the faithful should welcome Him into their lives.

He said the child Jesus, who was born into a poor family, is the savior of mankind.

“The solemnity of the Epiphany proclaims that Jesus is the savior of all. May all accept him in their lives, their families and communities,” said Iniguez.

In the liturgical calendar, the season of Christmas starts on Dec. 25 and ends on the Baptism of Jesus that falls on the second Sunday of January.

But for Filipinos who are known to have one of the longest celebrations of Christmas, it begins on Dec. 16 at the start of the nine-day pre-dawn Masses (Simbang Gabi) and ends on the first Sunday of January that is marked as the Feast of the Epiphany.