Solemnity of Epiphany of the Lord: Homily by Fr Isaac

Theme: A Call to be reflectors of Christ’s light to the world

Readings: Is. 60:1–6; Eph. 3:2–3a,5–6; Matt. 2:1–12

Dear friends, the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord Jesus Christ is a great celebration for all of us. The word ‘Epiphany’ has a Greek origin and means manifestation or revelation. Thus, in this solemnity, we celebrate the revelation of Christ to the whole world, to the gentiles, to all of us who were in the gentile world according to the understanding of the Jews at that time. We saw this in the manifestation of the star of Christ to the Magi — the three gentile kings who visited the new-born Jesus from the east.

The solemnity of epiphany is a celebration of divine inclusiveness. In this feast, God manifested Himself outside the kingdom of Israel. It is a celebration of divine involvement, a celebration that tells us that all humanity belongs to God and that every one of us, no matter the race, tribe, colour or tradition, is invited to share in the joy of the Incarnation of the Word of God, that is, the birth of Christ. It is a universal celebration, a feast that tells us that God has come to show His love to the whole world, for ‘He so loved the world that He gave His only Son for the redemption of the world’. The Epiphany celebrates the outreaching nature of God’s salvation. It celebrates the fact that the reign of God reaches beyond earth’s bounds.

Today’s gospel episode has some important lessons for us this the new year.

Dear friends, the Lord has been revealed to us this season of Christmas, and his light has shined upon us too, as this feast of epiphany tells us. Through us, Christ wants His light to reflect in the world. In the gospel of today, the Magi became the first point of contact of Christ with their respective countries, they took the light of Christ to their people. One of the problems of our world today is that many Christians are either shy or afraid of spreading the light of Christ to other people. There are anti-life policies everywhere in the government because many Christians in government do not want to reflect the light of Christ. While some Christians in government prefer to be silent out of the fear of being criticized, others outrightly decide to follow the power of darkness for love of money and fame. Dear brothers and Sisters, Christ wants us to be the prism that will reflect the light of his teaching in the policies of the world.

Many of our friends do not come to church because many of us who come to church do not reflect the light of Christ to them. Let us put it this way, that many of us who come to church do not reflect the teachings of Christ to our friends who don’t come to church, and that the actions of many of us do not attract their friends to Christ and the church.

I don’t know if you have noticed that many Christians are afraid to talk to their friends about Christ, they rather prefer to keep quite in order not to lose their friends or offend them, even when those their friends are doing or suggesting things that are against the Christian faith. Dear friends, Epiphany challenges us to be a point of contact of Christ with our friends who do not come to church. Let our vocation this year be to take the light of Christ to our friends so that we will illumine their hearts and lives with the Christian message. Let us be that bible which our friends who don’t come to church can read.

The second lesson is that the gospel tells us the best way to encounter Jesus. To encounter Jesus in the gospel of today, the Magi took the best gifts from their culture. They went with Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh, symbolic gifts to adore the new-born king. Dear friends, God has blessed us with numerous talents and gifts, and so He wants us to come to Him every day — to worship him every day — with the best of the gifts he has given us. For example, our beautiful voices to read and to sing in the church, our skills on musical instruments, our intelligence to teach others, our ability to lead others in small and large groups are all beautiful gifts from God. He wants us to use these gifts to build up the Christian community which is the body of Christ, our families and the civil society. It is unfortunate that many people rather use their talents to create confusion and problems in the society. Dear friends, today, the church challenges us to use our talents to work for peace, love and unity in the church, in the family and in the larger society.

Peace be with you. Happy Epiphany

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima