SUNDAY HOMILY: THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD, YEAR B.
THEME: “WHERE IS THE INFANT KING OF THE JEWS?”
BY: Fr. Cajetan Anyanwu
On this Sunday that falls between 2nd January and 8 January the Church celebrates Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. That is, the manifestation of the Lord Jesus Christ to the world. Jesus cannot be hidden. He is the shining star, the sun whose rays enlightens every part of the earth and dispels the darkness shrouding the world. His Star appeard and led the Maggi (3 Wiseman from the East) to Bethlehem of Judaea where he was born. They entered the palace of King Herod and asked: “Where is the infant King of the Jew? We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage”(Mtt. 2:2-12).
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The Maggi entered the Palace of King Herod because they presumed that the new king should come from the kingly family. They never knew that Herod was an enemy . The star disappeared to prove that God protects his own always. The secret plans of Herod did not come true. No one can distort God’s plan. The Wisemen saw the star again when they left King Herod’s Palace. They were warned not to return to Herod and they went through another route. Herod was put to shame to prove that God cares for his people. “Though night covers the earth and darkness the peoples. Above you the Lord now rises and above you his glory appears.”(Is.60:1-6). Our God is powerful.
The Maggi were led by the star to where Jesus was lying in a Manger with Mary his Mother and Joseph and the animals. They adored Jesus and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Meaning, he shall be King, he shall be Priest and he shall die and resurrect again. This is the unfolding of the mystery of our salvation as Paul writes: “This mystery that has now been revealed through the Spirit… means that pagans now share the same inheritance, …'(Eph. 3:2-3.5-6). May all nations adore the Lord, amen. Happy Sunday.
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