Homily Epiphany of the Lord. Year C - Sunday, 6 January 2019
Photo by Vaida Tamošauskaitė on Unsplash
First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm: 71:1-2. 7-8. 10-13
Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3. 5-6
Gospel Acclamation: Matthew 2:2
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12
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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Epiphany of the Lord. Year C - Sunday, 6 January 2019 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/epiphany-of-the-lord (EPISODE: 134)
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On this feast of the Epiphany, we celebrate that God’s glory has been revealed to all the nations, and not just the chosen people of Israel. People from every corner of the earth, of every nation and race. Generations of people. God’s revelation, God’s invitation is for all people of all times and places.
Saint Paul puts it so nicely: “God had a secret plan, formed before all ages. And that plan is now revealed, and it is this; in Christ Jesus, the Gentiles, (people from other religious and cultural backgrounds and nations), are now CO-HEIRS with the Chosen people of Israel, members of one and the same body and sharers in the promise of God, through the proclamation of the good news…” We are one big global human family!
Are we becoming more and more one human family? (A)
This is a hard question to answer.
In some ways, the answer is “yes.” Technology, medicine, communications, transport, aid to needy nations.... We certainly are more and more aware that we are part of something much bigger than the local. Yet, in other areas we see nations breaking up into ever-smaller factions, and we see social and ethnic groups in tension, we witness news of wars, strife, poverty and starvation in poor, developing nations , (Still? In this day and age???...). The jury is "still out" on how far God’s dream for the world is being fulfilled. But, one thing is for sure, it is not for want of God’s desire, God’s work, and God’s calling. God has made it abundantly clear what kind of a world God wants to build.
What a treasure these wise men found lying in a manger.... a rare and perfect gift to the world....
as the poet, Godfrey rust says:....
"grace, born out of deprivation,
grace born of the endurance of the oppressed,
grace born of the hardships of the poor,
grace born of the forgiveness of the intolerable,
grace borne in the dignity of silence, grace born
......
In the strength of his weakness
he just lay there, needing to be loved.
...
Our gifts were tokens. There was nothing more to do
but leave the child to his own (journey towards the cross),
and return by different routes
to our own countries, strangers to us now,
yet seeing them as if for the first time,
how they just lie there, needing to be loved.”
(© Godfrey Rust, godfrey@wordsout.co.uk. See here for details of permissions for use. © Godfrey Rust, www.wordsout)
The journey of the wise men to find the Holy family and particularly the saviour lying in a manger is our journey too. It is our journey of life as well. It is our religious pilgrimage through life. Our journey to conversion, and beyond, is the same.
For, our journey of faith is not an easy one. It is filled with challenges, inconveniences, doubts, obstacles and stumbles. And how many important faith journeys have we heard critical, negative voices, and the ‘prophets of doom,’ or people who make fun of the rare path a person needs to walk along. The voices of doubt and negativity need to be ignored, endured, moved beyond!
The journey to conversion, the complete commitment of heart and head towards Jesus good news, is a real odyssey. Like the journey of the Magi, the journey to find Christ is like a "death, and a rising to new life." And we, like the Magi, return home to where we came, but by a new way. 'Seeing things as if for the first time.' In the bible, a change of path symbolizes conversion. And after encountering Christ, everything looks different, because Jesus invites us to see it all though his eyes. We now start to see the world around us through the 'lens' of the Good News. We now see life through the eyes of Christ’s compassionate care for those most in need. We being to have a vision for the inclusion of all.
As the Bible passage mentions: “Bethlehem, by no means the least of all the cities” - Like Bethlehem, which, at first sight, seems slight and insignificant, and “lesser” – yet, here is where Jesus is born; humble, vulnerable, poor. So too, the poor and the forgotten may appear insignificant to some, but it is through them that the Lord’s presence is revealed.” (C)
The Wise Men realized this that first Christmas; and it changed everything. It changes everything for us too.
Come let us worship!
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly
A. One commentary –“365 Days with the Lord,” asks rather relevantly.
C. From Gustavo Gutierezz, Sharing the word through the Liturgical year.
© Godfrey Rust, godfrey@wordsout.co.uk. See here for details of permissions for use. © Godfrey Rust, http://www.wordsout.co.uk
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly
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Texts used in this programme are for the purposes of worship and prayer for listeners wherever you are.
Prayers and chants are taken from the English Translation of the Roman Missal, edition three, © 2010, The International commission on English in the liturgy.
Scriptures are from the New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, by the national council of Churches of Christ, USA. , //adaptations to conform with Catholic liturgical norms, © 2009, by the same.
Psalm verses are taken from “The Psalms: the Grail Translation. Inclusive Language Version.” ©1963, 1995, 2004 The Grail (England), published by HarperCollins. London.
Prayers of the Faithful are adapted from Robert Borg’s 1993 book “Together we pray”. Published in Sydney Australia By E.J. Dwyer. (out of print).
{ “Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin” -published 2011, Composed and Sung by Jeffrey M. Ostrowski
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May God bless and keep you.
Epiphany of the Lord. Year C
(Sunday, 6 January 2019) (EPISODE: 134 )
“Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.”
The Lord be with you.
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Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins,
and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
Lord Jesus, you have revealed yourself as the way to the Father: Lord, have mercy//You have poured out on your people the Spirit of truth: Christ, have mercy//You are the Good Shepherd, leading us to eternal life: Lord, have mercy.//
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
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Epiphany
Euch Prayer II
Communion side. pwk: RH
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Go in peace. (glorifying the Lord by your life)
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