Reflections on the Feast of Epiphany

Yesterday was the Feast of Epiphany, Feast of the Three Kings or Magi in the Roman Catholic Calendar. It was the end of the Christmas Season in the Philippines. This article is inspired after hearing the sermon of the Priest from The TV Sunday Mass, I viewed yesterday, January 4, 2026. 

Epiphany: A Journey Guided by Light

Yesterday marks the Feast of Epiphany, known in the Christian tradition as the Feast of the Three Kings or the Magi. In the Philippines, it also gently closes the long and beloved Christmas season, one that begins as early as September and ends not with fireworks, but with reflection.

At its heart, Epiphany is a story about a journey.

The Magi were not kings in the political sense, but seekers, astronomers, scholars, travelers from distant lands. They followed a star not because they were told to, but because they were curious, attentive, and open to wonder. Their journey was long, uncertain, and required courage. The star did not explain everything. It simply invited them to walk forward.

This theme of seeking resonates far beyond Christianity.

In Judaism, the tradition of seeking wisdom, hokhmah runs deep, expressed through study, questioning, and ethical living. In Islam, the idea of hidayah, or divine guidance, emphasizes attentiveness to signs in the world and humility before truth. In all great traditions, there is respect for those who search sincerely, who travel inward and outward in pursuit of meaning.

The Magi brought gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These were not random offerings but symbols: honor, reverence, and an acknowledgment of human vulnerability. Across cultures and faiths, gift-giving has always been less about material value and more about recognition, I see you; I honor your worth.

In the Philippines, Epiphany carries a particular tenderness. After weeks of celebration, family gatherings, and shared meals, this day signals a turning point. Decorations come down. Ordinary life resumes. Yet something lingers: a quiet hope that the light we followed during the holidays does not disappear, but moves within us.

For readers around the world, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or otherwise the message of Epiphany is not about doctrine. It is about attention.

What stars are we following today? What truths invite us to travel beyond our comfort zones? What gifts, kindness, patience, understanding can we still offer one another in a world often darkened by fear and division?

The Magi returned home “by another way,” the story tells us. Perhaps that is the deepest wisdom of Epiphany: that sincere journeys change us. We may arrive at the same place, but we do not return the same people.

As the Christmas season ends in the Philippines, may its light continue, guiding our steps, softening our judgments, and reminding us that across nations and faiths, we are all travelers under the same sky.

May the stars we follow lead us not only forward, but toward one another.

Meanwhile, here's the AI Overview on the Above Topic:

The Feast of Epiphany, traditionally observed on January 6 or the following Sunday (January 4 in 2026), marks the "manifestation" of Jesus Christ to the world

. It serves as the climax of the Christmas season, transitioning from the private joy of the stable to the public revelation of God’s glory. 

Key Spiritual Reflections

• Universality of Salvation: The visit of the Magi—who were non-Jewish "outsiders"—symbolizes that Christ did not come for one group alone, but as a savior for all nations and ethnicities.
• The Journey of Faith: Like the Magi who followed a star through uncertainty, reflections for 2026 emphasize the "sacred pilgrimage" of the spiritual life. This involves seeking truth even when the path is long and the destination is unexpected—finding a king in a humble manger rather than a palace.
• Response to the Light: Epiphany is often called the "Feast of Lights". Modern reflections suggest that believers are called to be "phosphors" (light-bearers), reflecting Christ’s love to others who are struggling through "dark" times.
• Internal Transformation: The Magi’s return "by another way" is frequently viewed as a metaphor for spiritual conversion. Encountering the divine should change one's direction in life, leading away from old habits and toward a new path of grace.
• Inward vs. Outward Gifts: While the Magi brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh, 2026 reflections encourage offering "inward gifts" such as mercy, advocacy for justice, and acts of service. 

Comparison of Eastern and Western Perspectives

Feature	Western Tradition (Catholic/Protestant)	Eastern Tradition (Orthodox)
Primary Event	Visit of the Magi (Three Kings)	Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
Focus	Manifestation to the Gentiles	Theophany (Manifestation of the Trinity)
Theme	Following the Star/Giving gifts	Revelation of Christ’s divinity and public mission

Practical Observances for 2026

• Chalking the Door: A traditional blessing where "20 + C + M + B + 26" is written above the home's entrance, representing the year and the names of the Magi (Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar), while also abbreviating the Latin Christus Mansionem Benedicat ("May Christ bless this house").
• Family Devotions: Resources like The Quest offer daily virtue-based reflections to help families conclude the season with spiritual offerings.
• King’s Cake: Many cultures share a "Galette des Rois" containing a hidden figurine; the person who finds it is "crowned" for the day, celebrating the joy of the royal manifestation. 
• Meanwhile, here are the top five news of the Day  

U.S. captures Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in major military operation — U.S. forces carried out a strike in Venezuela, capturing Maduro and flying him to the United States as he faces federal charges; China condemns the move and global tensions rise. Reuters+1

President Trump signals possibility of further military actions — Trump said the U.S. could conduct additional strikes if Venezuela does not comply, underscoring ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Axios

International uproar over U.S. statements on Greenland sovereignty — Trump’s remarks about the strategic importance of Greenland sparked pushback from Denmark, Greenlandic leaders, and European governments. The Guardian

CES 2026 tech expo underway with major product reveals — The big annual technology show in Las Vegas is bringing new innovations and hardware announcements from leading manufacturers. TechRadar

Major cultural and arts leadership news — Lina Ghotmeh has been selected to lead the expansion of Qatar’s Mathaf Museum of Modern Art, marking a significant development in the global arts world. ArtAsiaPacific

My Photo of the Day: 

My Two Great Grand Sons_ Beau David and Graham Everett

Testosterone, Aging and Masculinity

This article is inspired from my recent reading of an article in the NYT issue dated January 3, 2026 written by Robert Sapolsky, titled Testosterone is Misunderstood.   

Testosterone, Aging, Masculinity — and the Long Arc of Social Change

Robert Sapolsky’s essay on testosterone is not just a correction of bad biology; it is also an invitation to rethink how we define masculinity across a lifetime and how society itself is changing.

For much of modern history, masculinity has been narrowly framed around dominance, physical strength, competitiveness, and emotional restraint. Testosterone conveniently became the scientific shorthand for these traits, reinforcing the idea that men were naturally wired for aggression and control. That story fit neatly into an industrial, hierarchical world that rewarded force and authority.

But as Sapolsky shows, the biology never supported that simple narrative.

Aging and the Quiet Redefinition of Masculinity

Aging offers a lived rebuttal to testosterone myths. As men grow older, testosterone levels naturally decline yet many report increased emotional depth, patience, perspective, and empathy. Rather than becoming less “masculine,” many become more fully human.

What changes with age is not just chemistry, but context. Older men are often less driven by status competition and more attuned to legacy, relationships, and meaning. Sapolsky’s insight helps explain this: testosterone amplifies what matters in a given social moment. When dominance no longer defines worth, the hormone loses its supposed grip on aggression.

In later life, masculinity often shifts from proving strength to offering steadiness from conquest to care, from ego to wisdom.

Masculinity Is Shaped, Not Fated

Sapolsky’s work challenges the fatalism that has long surrounded male behavior. If testosterone simply magnified aggression, then violence and domination would be unavoidable facts of male existence. But history and daily life tell a different story.

Masculinity is not dictated by hormones alone. It is cultivated by families, schools, workplaces, media, and cultural expectations. When boys are taught that respect matters more than fear, that strength includes restraint, and that courage includes compassion, testosterone does not undermine those lessons, it can reinforce them.

This is not an argument against biology. It is an argument against surrendering to it.

Social Change and a New Measure of Strength

We are living through a period of profound social change. Traditional hierarchies are being questioned. Emotional intelligence is increasingly valued. Cooperation often matters more than domination. In this environment, the old caricature of testosterone-fueled masculinity feels outdated, even dangerous.

Sapolsky’s essay reminds us that biology adapts to values, not the other way around. When societies reward fairness, inclusion, and responsibility, human behavior including male behavior, follows.

This is especially important for younger generations watching older men. Aging men who model reflection instead of rigidity, humility instead of bravado, and care instead of control become powerful agents of cultural change.

A Closing Thought

Aging teaches us that strength evolves. Masculinity, like character, is not something we peak into and then lose, it is something we grow into.

Sapolsky helps dismantle a myth that has limited men for generations. In doing so, he opens space for a broader, gentler, and ultimately stronger vision of masculinity, one that honors biology without being imprisoned by it, and one that aligns with the moral demands of a changing world.

That is not just good science. It is good news, especially as we grow older.

Meanwhile here's the AI Overview on the above topic

The phrase "Testosterone, Aging, Masculinity — and the Long Arc of Social Change" appears to describe a specific 

academic paper, dissertation, or book that explores the complex, bidirectional relationship between the biological aspects of testosterone and aging, and the cultural shifts in how masculinity is understood and enacted. 

The central idea is likely that:

• Testosterone levels decline with age naturally, a well-established biological phenomenon.
• Cultural definitions of masculinity are not static ("the long arc of social change"), and these shifting social norms interact with biological processes.
• Social factors influence biology: Research shows that social interactions, such as competition, social support, and even gendered behaviors, can affect testosterone levels.
• Biology influences social experience: The decline in testosterone may affect aspects like mood, cognition, and physical function, which in turn influences how men experience aging and construct their identity within the context of evolving social ideals of masculinity. 

For example, studies suggest:

• Older men with more sources of emotional social support have lower testosterone, consistent with theories that link lower T to nurturing and social connection rather than just competition.
• The relationship between testosterone and social cognition (e.g., theory of mind) is different in younger versus older men, possibly suggesting a neuroprotective effect in older age that was not previously understood.
• Men may use "cultural notions of masculinity" (coined as "maskulinity" in related research) to navigate their gender identity as their bodies age and change, demonstrating how individual identity is a blend of cultural ideals, personal performance, and biology. 

This interdisciplinary approach highlights that "masculinity" is a cultural achievement influenced by biological factors, rather than a fixed state determined solely by hormones. 

My Photos of the Day:

Photo Taken January 3, 2026 (THD )

http://marinduqueawaitsyou.blogspot.com/2016/12/carenna-kt-katague-thompson-performs.html

My Youngest Grand Daughter Carenna Katague Thompson

Her music video created 11 years ago, Sacramento, CA

https://www.facebook.com/reel/10152636956451270