HOMILY: THE
EPIPHANY OF THE LORD (a)
Let Every Nation on earth adore You O Lord!
Fr. Udoekpo, Michael Ufok
v Isa. 60:1-6;
v Ps.
72:1-2,7-8,10-13;
v Eph. 3:2-3a,5-6
v Matt. 2:1-12
Every Solemnity of the Epiphany brings
us together “to adore the Lord,” as echoed in the musical voice of the
Psalmist today. Truly, our Lord deserves adoration and our
worship, because he has freely and willingly manifested himself to us in
the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Word became flesh and dwelt among
us (John 1:14).
He is the one whose praise is fore-sung in the first
reading (Isa 60:1-6), of today. Third Isaiah sings, “Rise up
in splendor, Jerusalem! Your Light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon
you. See darkness covers the earth, and the thick cloud covers the peoples, but
upon you the Lord shines, and over you appear his glory…”
Epiphany celebrates the appearance of God’ glory, his
grace, his love, his favors. His birth, which is an entrance of light into this
world of darkness of war, selfishness, divisions and corruption in nations’
capitals that neglects the poor.
Epiphany is of sacredness into our secular world and divine goodness
into our lives. It is an epiphany of God's love, his Mercy, his Tender Care and
Kindness to all nations and continents, Jews and Gentiles, poor and rich,
queens and kings.
In Epiphany God is manifested to our children, parents,
friends and spouses, seminarians and priests, to politicians and poets,
colleagues and peers. It is a feast when Jesus, is made known to the whole
world, to every continent and nations: “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, several reactions manifested: the angels,
sang “glory to God in the highest.” The shepherds traveled to the manger
in Bethlehem and visited with the holy family.
Simeon sang the Nunc dimities. Anna, witnessed to the uniqueness
in Christ and spoke about this special child to everyone (Luke 2).
If I may ask, what is your reaction to the story of
Christmas, to the Christmas plays we watched, to Christmas carols and music we
have listened to, to all the Christmas homilies we have heard from the lips of
the Pope, bishops, different priests and pastors? Do you like Anna internalize
it or be ready to go out and in turn manifest this love to others, the poor and
the rich? Or do you keep Christ’s love to yourself?
In today’s Gospel (Matt 1:1-12) the
magi join in this chain of reaction. Guided by the star, they came all the way
from the East, from abroad outside Bethlehem/Judea, to adore Christ, to worship
Christ 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 are
(the gifts of) disposition, willingness, openness and readiness,
irrespective of our profession. 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. This is noted by St. Paul of
all people, in the Second Reading, which says, “You have heard of
the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefits…. That
the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and co-partners in the
promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel” (Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6).
We can learn from the Gentiles, the Magi. Their journeys
I believe 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 naïve, 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.”
Being a faithful Christian in this New Year and at the
same time a good citizen is not always easy. Being a good Christian and a good
politician or a good member of the United Nations was never going to be without
faith.
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 of professionals including the magi from Sheba
shall submit themselves to Jesus and worship him. The precious gifts they
brought Christ from the East- gold, frankincense and myrrh are
significant.
Gold- recalls the 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.
In another place, Paul speaks of this in 2
Corinthian 2:15. St. Paul invites us to bring out 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 Nicodemus 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. In the case of the Shepherds they risked abandoning
their flocks and rushing to see the Christ born at the manger in Bethlehem.
Simeon and Anna did not mind their old age. They faithfully and passionate sang
and spoke about the blessings brought to Israel by the redeemer- Christ.
For us when we finally find that faith we are call
to share it with others. We are invited to share with and manifest the
message of Christmas for our friends, relatives and in our communities. We are
called to manifest that faith, to spread that aroma of Christ, that golden
peace, that inclusiveness, that joy, that charity, that forgiveness, those
gifts, among others, among every nation. Lord every nation on earth will adore
you!
Reflection Questions
1. Are we ready to share the Christ we
received with others?
2. How do we adore the Lord-with justice,
peace and righteousness?
3. Does my presence radiate the love and
light of Christ in my family, parish community, neighborhood or place of work
and study?
