Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord ABC –
Homily by Fr. Michael Udoekpo
Readings: Isa 60: 1-6; Ps
72:1-2,7-8,10-11,12-13; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6 and Matt 2:1-12
Epiphany: Let Every Nation adore the Lord !
On this Solemn day of Epiphany we come
together as the psalmist would put it “to adore the Lord” who has freely and
willingly manifested himself to us in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. Prophet
Isaiah had long prophesied about this manifestation, of peace, light and
liberation, this birth of Christ, in Isaiah 7:14. Today he sings his praises in the first
reading (Isa 60:1-6), to those who lived to see this day long foretold.
Christ's Birth is not only an entrance of
Light into the world of darkness, but an entrance of Light and Divine
Strength into our human brokenness, selfishness, self- centeredness, and
sufferings. It is a manifestation, a revelation of the Glory of God. It is
an epiphany of God's love, his Mercy, his Tender Care and Kindness to all
nations, all continents, Jews and Gentiles, to the poor, the rich, the queens
and the kings.
Epiphany is manifestation of God to our
children, to mummy and daddy, to husbands and wives, seminarians and priests,
to friends, partners, politicians, poets, colleagues and peers. It is a feast
when Jesus is made known to the whole world, to every continent as the Psalmist
would confirm “Lord, every nation on earth shall adore you” (Ps 72). Epiphany
is a gathering of every nation to adore Christ. This is true even when you look
at our faces, our colors, and our eyes, particularly our last names. I was
recently in Africa and Europe the joy was the
same at Christmas, every nation adoring the Lord- the power of faith- only
Christ can gather us together at birth and at death. What a miracle of faith.
At his birth, manifestation many reacted: the
Shepherd, the angels, Mary, Joseph, Simeon, and Anna. In today’s Gospel (Matt
1:1-12) the magi also reacted. Guided by the star, they came all the way from
the East, from abroad outside Bethlehem/Judea, to adore Christ, to worship
Christ= (proskunh/)= to submit themselves to Christ. They brought him gifts
of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Every nation adores the Lord, including those
who studied the stars.
God can speak to us; He can manifest Himself
to us through our various professions and occupations. All that he requires
of us is disposition, willingness, openness and readiness. You don’t need
to be a priest or nun to have faith. You can be an attorney, a nurse, a doctor,
a secretary, a receptionist, a broker, a plumber, a factory worker, a church
volunteer, a student, employed or unemployed, a bank teller, a football coach,
a husband, housewife, a Jew or Gentile with deep faith. Salvation is Universal
(Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6).
I also want to believe that the journeys of magi were not
rosy-rosy. Mostly likely there were some difficulties on the way. They must
have left their homes, children and family members searching for Christ in a
territory where Herod was appointed the king of the Jews by the Roman
imperialism. I am sure being learned scientists they were not naive, they knew,
humanly it would be risky facing Herod, the reigning earthly king,
when at the same time searching to adore the heavenly King, the
true “King of the Jews,” and “the King of kings.”
These things are possible when we walk with deep faith, when we listen to the impulses of the Holy Spirit, when we follow the light of Christ not our own will, as the magi did and as prophesied long ago by the Prophet Isaiah “nations shall walk by your light.”
These things are possible when we walk with deep faith, when we listen to the impulses of the Holy Spirit, when we follow the light of Christ not our own will, as the magi did and as prophesied long ago by the Prophet Isaiah “nations shall walk by your light.”
Nations shall submit (proskunh/)= themselves to Jesus. Nations of professionals including the
magi from sheba.
The precious gifts the brought Christ from the East- gold, frankincense and
myrrh are significant.
Gold- recalls he royalty of Christ which lies
in his mission of justice, peace, love, forgiveness and holiness of life- Not
bullying, revenge and terrorism. In Frankincense we recall the perfume and the
incense we use during worship- which is a symbol of hope and faith that we all
place in Jesus our Messiah.
Paul
speaks of this in 2 Corinthian 2:15 St. by
inviting us to give of that noble “aroma of Christ” among ourselves: peace,
love, forgiveness, universalism, inclusiveness, friendship and acts of
charity. In Myrrh we recall the
sufferings, the pains and passion of Christ (Mark 15:20-23; Matt 27:33-44). And
it was with Myrrh in John 19:39 that Nichodemus anointed Christ’s body for
burial.
Epiphany is a celebration of our faith from
the strength of our jobs, vocations and occupations. Many with various occupations
gathered here have that faith. Many with various professions are still
searching for that faith. Like in the case of the Magi sometimes the journey
may be long and rough. When we finally
find that faith we are call to share it with others, with our friends and
relatives; That Faith, that aroma of Christ, that golden peace, that
inclusiveness, that joy, that charity, that forgiveness, those gifts!
Let me end by sharing one of my Christmas
gifts with you. It is a prayer sent to me by one of the SSND
nuns. The prayer reads,
Dear God,
I ask you to bless
me and to watch over me this day
May my feet walk,
where my presence will be a [glimpse) manifestation of you
May my hands
[touch] manifest for someone in pains
May my eyes always
see the good in everyone they meet
May my ears listen
only to praise, and not to words that tear down
May my mouth always
{speak) manifest the truth
May my mind not
judge others because they are different
May I just be
myself and a {reflection) manifestation of you!
