Homily for January 5, 2025. Epiphany Sunday
Isaiah 60: 1 – 6. Ephesians 3: 2-3a, 5-6. Matthew 2: 1 -12
Today is a day of promises fulfilled. All the symbols of the sacred story touch us in our world so deeply and tell the story of Christ and the life he brings us in God. The mystery of Christ transforms all the world.
The Magi came, they would bow down to the new born Messiah and Savior and honor him, rejoice in Him. As Isaiah tell us so poignantly, darkness covers the earth and dark night the Nations, which seems so real for our world today.
But God who created all things and gave us the birth of hope, calls in our time with the same purpose, to take us by the hand to form us according to the divine covenant as a beacon of light to all nations as a hope for the world
We celebrate 4 epiphanies every Christmas that instruct us and empower our faith in Christ. Can you catch it in each of these stories? They help us to behold the beauty of the sublime Glory of Christ. First, the birth of Christ at Bethlehem when the angles announced to the Shepherds, Joy, Peace and the Glory of God, to all people of Good will, and they went to see, today the Magi paid their homage as they bow down to the new born King, the third Epiphany at the Jorden when God himself announces that this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. And the fourth at Cana with Jesus’ first public miracle. All rich moments of faith seeking deeper understanding of who Jesus is for us and powerful moments of grace touching our core belief in this Jesus, as Lord and savior. He who brings us new life in his revelation of our loving God. We are shown the Glory of God in him, Christ’s kingship, the only Son, and his power to recreate us.
This mystery is that all nations are part of the same inheritance, the same body, sharing in the same promise, in Christ Jesus…’. Jesus recreates us. In Jesus, we are all sons, and daughters, brothers and sisters and heirs. The Epiphany invites us to form a single body while respecting our differences. This is the gift of unity that Jesus gives us. Unity is a challenge; it must be built every day. Current events show that our world is struggling to become fraternal.
As in all biblical Epiphanies, the stories are all theological, fulfilling the prophesies of the Old Testament, all identifying the messiah who is anointed for all people. All now are invited into this mystery of Incarnation and redemption. A story of fulfilment of our deepest dreams of life everlasting. Of course, only in God.
So, in this jubilee year of hope, can we discern the way forward to real community, a unity of faith among people and nations, perhaps even more connection with other Christian churches.
We are all on a quest, like the Magi, for divine guidance and continuing discernment, our hearts are yearning for peace, for that unity of faith that is so elusive to us. And most of all, for that personal acknowledgement of God’s love for each of us. That truth that sets us free and lets us embrace the truth of ourselves and our place in the world. We experience epiphany moments, that changes us, empowers, and calls us.
We know it all happens in Jesus. If only we can live His life and ways today. We are called to the light of Christ, so we celebrate it year after year, season after season. What are we doing to truly have the light of Christ make a difference in our world now?
Do we really believe it can happen in the hearts of all? However, it all starts with our own journey to Jesus. As St. Paul tells us in Ephesians, we are all co-partners in the promise. Are we ready to move forward in the Spirit listening to where God is inviting us to go to deeper life in Him? Indeed, we rejoice in our faith and love of the Lord today. And proclaim it to one another expressing the yearning of all people for a better world, a better life, community and communion with our God. All in Jesus our Christ.
Let each of us be the light, as we live Jesus, starting right where we are.
