Homily on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

Who Actually Found the Lord?

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

St. Mary of Assumption Church, Whittier, CA

Sunday, January 8, 2017

Friends, today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. Epiphany is derived from the Latin word, “Epiphania” which means, “reveal.” So, what we celebrate today is the revelation or the manifestation of the divine Son of God to the nations of the world. The Messiah is being made available, so to speak, not only to the Jewish nation, but to all the nations of the world. No one, therefore, should be shocked that the folks who first found the baby Jesus were not priestly people or deeply religious ones. The Gospel of Luke tells us that shortly after Jesus was born, an angel of the Lord appeared to some shepherds in the field nearby who were watching over their flocks at night and announced to them that in the town of David, a Savior has been born. On hearing the good news, they left everything, went to Bethlehem and found Mary, Joseph and the baby. Thereafter, they went to town and spread the word around (Luke 2:1-20). This is what evangelization is all about. You receive the word, you spread the word. The Gospel of Matthew, on the other hand, tells us that after Jesus was born, some magi from the east, through the reading of a star, came to Jerusalem in search of the baby Jesus. They came to do him homage; they came to surrender to him; they came to offer three gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh; gifts that symbolize who the baby is, what he will accomplish, and what will happen to him. The gift of gold explains who the baby is—a King; frankincense also tells who he is and what he would do—a priest who will offer a lasting sacrifice. And the gift of myrrh tells of what would happen to him. He will die on the cross. The sacrifice that this King and Priest will offer is not going to be done with animals’ blood, but with his own blood. He will die to set us free. Now, while these folks were looking for the new born King to pay homage to him, King Herod was looking for him to destroy him. Even after searching the scriptures and knowing of its prophesy regarding the new born child, he was still determined to take him out.  

It is important to consider how people of different religious beliefs came to know that the Messiah has been born. The shepherds in Luke’s Gospel came to know through a direct vision of an angel. The magi from the east came to know by reading and studying the stars. King Herod and the scribes came to know through the scriptures. But in the end, who actually found Jesus? In those days, the shepherds were not allowed to enter the temple unless they undergo a ritual purification. The magi from the east were astrologers. They would be called pagans, even by some Christians today. Yet, they were the ones that found the baby Jesus. The shepherds found him by obeying the words of an angel . They did not doubt the supernatural apparition like many would do today. The magi, on the other hand, arrived at the side of Jesus by applying their natural reason in the reading of a star.  But Herod and his folks who had the scriptures did not find him. They had the shining truth of the scriptures, but they did not abide by it. They did not walk in the light of the scriptures. The magi and the shepherd, on the other hand, followed the guidance of angel and a star light. No doubt, the angel is the angel of the Lord. No doubt, the light is the light of the Lord. But the scripture is also the word of the Lord. But due to earthly power, position, fame, etc, Herod refused to follow the dictates of the scripture. As such, he missed out. Possession of the truth is important, but those who possess the truth must walk in the light of the truth.

As Catholics, we believe that our religion has the fullness of the truth. But of what benefit would that be if we do not walk in the truth? Nature worshippers or non-believers who sincerely follow the dim light of natural reason may arrive by the side of Jesus before us. In Matthew 21:31, Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.” This is part of the tough truth we celebrate today. The exalted truth has been revealed to us. God has been manifested to us. But if we do not walk the walk of faith, like Herod, we may miss the amazing opportunity of finding the Lord and enjoying his blessings. Herod had the scripture, but he wasn’t saved. Ordinary folks who were sincerely searching for God were able to find him. Herod was not interested in seeing Jesus. Those who seek the Lord will surely find him. It is good to know the Bible. It is good to quote the Bible.  If you can quote it from Genesis to Revelation, that’s good. But we must be ready at all times to become a living bible by words and deeds. The divine Son of God has been made known to us; we have seen his light in our lives. Like the shepherds, let’s announce it to all and sundry. Like the magi, let’s offer him something we treasure the most. I hope it is our life!