Solemnity of Epiphany of the Lord, Year B: Homily by Fr Justin Adiele

THEME: “WALKING IN THE LIGHT OF GOD”

INTRODUCTION:

Today, we celebrate the revelation (epiphany) of God to the Gentiles or the world through a Star; the Maggi saw his star and kept walking in the light of God. Today, we should also be able to recall the various ways God has revealed his light or himself to us and ask ourselves how determined and focused we have been in walking in the light of God. Walking in the light of God would certainly lead us to true worship, homage and obedience to the will, Words and revelations of God; and eventually illumine us to become his shining and living light for the world.

THE FIRST READING (IS. 60: 1–6)

In the first reading, Isaiah made it very clear that we who have seen, received and walked in the light of God must arise and shine. The glory of God has risen upon us, so we should let the nations see it and walk by our light and in the brightness of our rising. Our light should dispel the darkness of our world and the peoples. As a child of God, who at baptism received the light of Christ and charged to walk always as children of light, have you been radiant in faith, charity and shining examples for the dark world full of evil and corruption? Have you been radiant in truth, good, noble and glorious things in your family and in the society? You must arise and shine the light of virtues, the light of the gospel, the light of joy, and the light of God’s salvation to the nations.

THE SECOND READING (EPH. 3: 2–3; 5–6)

In the second reading, St. Paul acknowledged, took up responsibility and stewardship of the light and grace of God he has received at his conversion, and embraced the task of shining/sharing it to the Gentiles. The mystery that was made known to him by revelation, he now labor to make known to the Gentiles; to make them sharers, partakers and heirs to the promises in Christ Jesus. St. Paul arose and shined the light of the gospel, the light of Christ and the light of salvation not only to the Ephesians, but to the Corinthians, Thessalonians, Philippians, Colossians, Galatians and so on.

THE GOSPEL READING (MT. 2: 1–12)

In the gospel reading, we saw that anyone could receive the light/star of God like the wise men from the East; but what we do with the light is what really matters. When the Maggi saw or received the light of Christ the new born king, they did the most significant, noble and wise thing to do with the light; and that is, to walk in the direction of the light of Christ; they followed his light. They never ignored the light as many do today; who will see the way of light and still choose to walk in darkness. Walking in the light of God, the Maggi finally arrived at solemn worship, sacrifice and total obedience to the Christ, the light of the world.

CONCLUSION:

Today we should really brace up like the Maggi to walk in the light of God, no matter our number, no matter the distance, no matter the cost. That’s how to follow Christ. We must take full responsibility like St. Paul, of the graces, teachings and revelations we have received from God and bear shining testimonies of the gospel and of Christ to the world around us. We must continue to walk in the light of God and reach to the point of true worship/homage to God. We must arise and shine for the world to see the love, the righteousness, the true freedom, the comfort/consolation, and the irreplaceable joy of walking in the light of God.

Happy Sunday!

Fr. Justin