The Mystery of Salvation (Epiphany Sunday)

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Click here for the Old Testament reflection (Light of Israel)

One of the recurring themes in Ephesians is the inclusion of the Gentiles in God’s saving plan. St. Paul, as the apostle to the Gentiles, emphasizes this fact to the many churches he founds throughout the Roman Empire, to counteract the idea that the Jews have exclusive right over God’s salvation, or that the Gentiles need to become Jews in order to be saved (a heresy which he condemns in Galatians).

It is interesting to note how he refers to this as a “mystery,” which was kept hidden in past ages and only revealed at the coming of Christ. The Old Testament hints at God’s plan for the nations in many places. For example, he tells Abraham in Genesis 12:3 and 22:18 that through his seed, all the nations of the earth will be blessed. Likewise, we read in Isaiah 49:6 that God intended the Servant of the Lord to bring light to all nations.

However, this universalistic message was not fully appreciated during the Old Testament times. During the Maccabean period, many pious Jews developed a very nationalistic attitude in reaction to the threat of Hellenism, which blossomed into a form of Jewish exclusivism during New Testament times. To this day, Rabbinic Judaism teaches that God created the other nations for Israel’s sake (rather than the other way around, as the Bible teaches).

St. Paul’s message in Ephesians reverses this nationalistic tendency by teaching that, in Christ, the Gentiles are made full participants in God’s salvation. He refers to them as “fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (v. 6). The first Gentiles to accept Christ were the magi who came to visit Him at Bethlehem. Thus, Epiphany is also a time for remembering that salvation came, not just to Israel, but to every nation.

This Epiphany, let us celebrate the fact that anyone can have a relationship with God, regardless of their nation or culture of origin. The way to Heaven has been made open to all who repent and believe in Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

J. Luis Dizon