Today our holy mother the church celebrates the solemnity of the Epiphany. A celebration that unveils the person of Jesus to humanity; the son of God. In today’s celebration, we see Jesus as the light that triumphs over darkness. Isaiah in today’s first reading points out that fact; Jesus is the light that no darkness can dim. In the second reading, we are reminded that we are heirs of the kingdom. By implication, we are all called to be lights like Jesus that we celebrate today as the light that triumphs over darkness. In the gospel reading we see the stars guiding the shepherds who goes to present gifts to the child Jesus, by unveiling him and revealing him to the people and humanity at large.
Dear friends in Christ, as we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord today, Jesus the light of the world; it calls to mind the kind of God that we serve, a God whose light dispels darkness. A God whose presence overwhelms any form of evil. That is why when we look at the encounter between the shepherds and Herod from the gospel, we see the intervention of God in the life of Jesus. Herod had ulterior motive and wanted to reach the child Jesus at all cost. God directed the shepherds and they never went back to him, but rather went back home through another route. This brings us to two very important questions that needs to be answered. The questions are, are we suffering from any form of insecurity in our life? Do we have challenges in our life that has to do with jealousy? These are issues we need to address in our life, because they can be very destructive. This is very clear in the life of the king Herod in today’s gospel reading.
Dear friends in Christ, one would have expected that Herod would have sincerely be happy about the good news bought by the shepherds about the child Jesus. But no, he was uncomfortable, he was afraid, because the child was going to come and take over his kingship. The child will become more popular than him and as such he resolved quietly to do away with the child Jesus. If we have such traits and attributes of King Herod in our life, let us resolve to turn a new leaf by dropping all such traits. The fear of insecurity and jealousy complicates our life and can easily give rise to so many other evils that can end up destroying us completely. Let us learn to trust in the Providence of God. Be happy with those who are happy, that way people will also celebrate at your own time. The blessings of God is enough to locate everyone, just be patient with God and your own time will surely come. As you celebrate other people in their time of joy, so also they will surely celebrate you too.
The God that recognizes us all as heir of the kingdom according to the second reading, has plans of good for everyone. It happens at different times in our lives, let us learn to be contented and appreciate what we have. That way, the blessings of God will abound in our lives. As we begin the New Year, resolutions are made and we have to strive to ensure that these resolutions are kept; because they will help to make us better people and children of God. My brothers and sisters in Christ, as Jesus is unveiled to us today through the stars, let us embrace this wonderful invitation to appreciate what God is doing in our life. Jesus is the light of the world and he continues to light the path of all his children. Let us strive to make our lights shine like that of Jesus wherever we find ourselves. By so doing, we will give meaning to both our life and the life of anyone who encounters us. That way the blessings of God will abound in our lives and we will have reasons to continue to celebrate Gods light in our life. Accept Gods invitation today to be light to the world as heirs of the kingdom. May God in his infinite goodness and love bless his words in our hearts. Peace be with you. Amen.