The mystery of the Church and her missionary dimension are also revealed in the liturgical context of the Epiphany. She is called to make Christ’s light shine in the world, reflecting it in herself as the moon reflects the light of the sun. The ancient prophecies concerning the holy city of Jerusalem, such as the marvellous one in Isaiah that we have just heard: «Rise up in splendour! Your light has come…. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance» (Is 60: 1-3), have found fulfilment in the Church. This is what disciples of Christ must do: trained by him to live in the way of the Beatitudes, they must attract all people to God through a witness of love: «In the same way, your light must shine before men so that they may see goodness in your deeds and give praise to your heavenly Father» (Mt 5: 16).
