Homily 8th January 2012 Epiphany of the Lord. Year B
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This feast of the Epiphany, and the accompanying readings for this weekend, reveal Jesus Christ to be the King of all heaven and earth, and the “light” to all nations and cultures. The Magi represent the Gentiles, and so… they represent all of us from far and wide, from different nationalities, who have come to know Christ from outside of Jewish religious membership.
“Jesus is a path for the lost.
He is a bread to the spiritually hungry.
a hand of support for the weak.
a companion to the lonely.
And a beacon of hope for all.”[i]
“Epiphany is a Greek word meaning "manifestation." In ancient times, the term referred to an official visit by a king or queen;…. a public showing to the people. As God is shown to us through Jesus on this day, so we are to “show the presence of God” to others by our own lives…. To everyone we meet we are to reflect the “light of Christ”. We are to be an “epiphany” (or “showing” of Christ) for others so that together we can honour Jesus as our king.”[ii]
“Early Christians considered the gifts of the Wise men to be highly symbolic. Gold is symbolic of Jesus' kingship. Frankincense is used in worship and is, therefore, symbolic of Jesus' divinity – (Jesus is God). Lastly, myrrh is used in burials and is symbolic of Jesus' humanity” and his future suffering to save us all.[iii]
The qualities of Jesus the King are the divine qualities foretold by the Scriptures from ancient times, and now revealed wondrously (but also in a surprising way: in unexpected circumstances). For the King…. is Jesus, …..born in a humble stable.
According to our first reading……The qualities of the Diving King are ……Justice, right-judgement, care for the poor, “giver of peace”, concern for the needy…. Compassion for the weak, saver of the lives of the poor.
The second reading reminds us that Jesus reveals that we are ‘sharers in the same inheritance’ through the Holy Spirit, which makes us sons and daughters of God and members of the one body in Christ… And that this invitation is for all people, regardless of nationality or culture.
When we look at the gospel……..(Not every King got a “present” in today’s story… not every king got what they wanted…. But they all got what they deserved…..)…..there are two kings featured in the gospel this weekend… Christ… and Herod…….. and really there is no comparison!!! But, if we try to compared them, Herod comes out as a complete failure…… / the wise men: ‘listened to what the King had to say….. but (through inspiration and openness) they did not give King Herod what he wanted but rather, they returned to their own country by a ‘different way’. We are all called to listen and reflect and ponder and then, with God’s inspiration discern what is the right thing to do. Sometimes the right thing to do is to NOT give someone what they ask.
In this feast today, we have the Revelation of Christ as the true King, who is a ‘shepherd of the people’. A true King, according to the God’s ways, is one who shows true concern and care for the needs of the people, (first and foremost).
In relation to this feast of the Epiphany, “Our sisters and brothers in the Eastern Churches spend a lot of time reflecting on the clash between what was expected and what actually happened. It is a wonderful gift to recognize that Christ comes as king, but not the type of king that we expected. Christ comes to free His people, but the free is interior and not exterior. Christ comes to save us all, but comes as a baby, born in time and subject to the Law. All of this is the stuff of poetry and love.”[iv]
Like the wise men, who gave him gifts representing aspects of Christ’s mission; If I were to give Jesus one gift to symbolize the role I'd like him to play in my life—what might that gift be?
//(pause to reflect)// what gift would you give Jesus… to symbolise what he represents to you……????
Perhaps I would present to the Lord a dove… // to symbolise not only his giving of the Holy Spirit, but his gift of gentle, compassionate, loving peace to the world…….. (Something we all dearly long for).
Let us reflect in the coming week upon anything that keeps us from letting Jesus play that role more fully.
In what ways can you and I SHOW Jesus to others by our lives, our actions and our words?
In what ways can we be a light of Christ to those we meet?
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REFERENCES:
· FR. PAUL W. KELLY
· MONASTERY OF CHRIST IN THE DESERT. ABBOT’S HOMILY.
· Celebrating the Gospels. By Gaynell Cronin.
· Vision – Praying Scripture in a contemporary Way. Year A. Mark Link S.J.
[i] Vision – Praying Scripture in a contemporary Way. Year A. Mark Link S.J., 55
[ii] Celebrating the Gospels. By Gaynell Cronin, 2.
[iii] Vision – Praying Scripture in a contemporary Way. Year A. Mark Link S.J., 55
[iv] Abbot Philip: Monastery of Christ in the Desert. http://christdesert.org
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