![HOMILY FOR THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD - SUNDAY [YEAR B] BY: Fr. Jude Nnadi Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3; 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12 “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory](https://i0.wp.com/www.homilyhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/EPI.png?fit=365%2C260&ssl=1)
HOMILY FOR THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD – SUNDAY [YEAR B]
BY: Fr. Jude Nnadi
Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3; 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12
“Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. The wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the Lord” (Is 60).
“…, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary, his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt 2).
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Sisters and brothers, Epiphany for the Eastern Churches is the true Christmas, that is, the celebration of the “manifestation” (in Greek epifaneia) of Christ in the human flesh. We are tempted to lose sight of the goal this famous page from Matthew leads, to stopping only at the names of the protagonists, the Magi which tradition transformed into kings, counted three, one white, another yellow, and the third, black, and gave different names.
Matthew’s text is modeled on the great procession of peoples towards Zion as sung by Isaiah. A spiritual journey, and story of inner conversion to Christ. The star is an indication of a risky path, the path of faith, like that traveled by Abraham who “set out without knowing where he was going” (Heb 11:8). This story is therefore that of biblical men who left their homeland for another land unknown, “for here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come” (Heb 13:14).
The journey of the Magi thus becomes an emblem of a Christian life understood in the terms of detachment, following, and searching. As happened on the coast of the lake of Galilee: “Follow me! And they immediately left everything and followed him” (Mt 4, 18-22). Anyone who remains tied to that which is material, various titles, and selfishness cannot become a pilgrim towards the eternal Jerusalem. Those who have established themselves too well in this city here below have no need of Bethlehem, rather, Bethlehem appears to them as Nazareth, an insignificant village “from which nothing good can come”.
The story of the Magi reminds us of the need to become pilgrims of the truth. The truth that traverses religion, culture, color, ethnicity and the like; that renders asunder that which divides and destroys humanity. The truth that brings about peace, contentment and joy, the truth of the table of the Lord.
“Many will come from the east and west to recline at this table in the kingdom of heaven while the children of the kingdom will be cast out into darkness” (Mt 8, 11-12). In this journey story, the theme of the universalism of salvation embodied by these characters from the East opens before us. Salvation knows no political and cultural borders; everyone can receive it. To Christ, by often mysterious roads, throngs of “anonymous” Christians come who seek him and confess him even without mentioning his name, bringing from Midian, Ephah and Sheba their gold and incense, their justice and love.
In the movement of the Magi towards the Truth we see the great procession of the Church, “an immense multitude, that no one can count, comprising of every nation, race, people and tongue” (Ap 7, 9) journeying towards her spouse. This journey has an ultimate goal; that is, perfect union with God who loves and care for us.
May His Name Be Praised Forever! Amen!!
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