Epiphany. (2024-01-07)

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Homily, Epiphany Sunday ●●  2024 January 7  ●● Isaiah 60___ ● ● Psalm 72  ● ● Matthew 2:1-12   ● ●

[__01__]   This Sunday is called “Epiphany” which is a Greek word meaning “manifestation”

            This feast commemorates the sign and star which was seen for Jesus Christ not just in Bethlehem – but by the whole world – or to use a Biblical term, by the “Gentiles”. The word “Gentile” comes from a Hebrew word meaning “nation”. So, Jesus is being revealed and shown to the whole world first by the STAR which appears in the sky and then by the visit of the  the 3 Kings – who come from other nations – all the way to the little town of Bethlehem.

            These 3 Kings – or the Magi –recognize Jesus as being a divine person. We read that the Magi – who were VIP’s in their own right – did him homage and prostrated themselves   before him. This means that they placed themselves face down on the floor, in respect.

            In a similar way, we read Moses lay prostrate on the ground for 40 days and 40 nights while waiting for the 10 commandments on Mount Sinai.

            The 3 Kings are professing the same faith in God as Moses did

Epiphany is 1 of the 3 principal and oldest festival days of the Church: the other 2 being Easter and Christmas.

Traditionally, Epiphany was always on January 6 – 12 days after Christmas. Now, Epiphany is on the 2^nd Sunday after Christmas.

[__02__] The Gospel of the Epiphany tells us of the choice between 2 STARS – there is the STAR in the sky leading the 3 Kings to Bethlehem. This is a divine sign from God

            Then, there is another STAR to choose from. Or, at least one who thinks of himself as a STAR and the center of the governmental/political “solar system”.

            This STAR is King Herod.

            Which STAR will you choose – the STAR leading to Jesus as our King or the STAR signifying earthly power in King Herod?

            The Magi have chosen Jesus as their STAR, their Savior.

            One of the things we talk about – either casually or seriously – is the STAR we were born under – we might speak of personality types – related for example to astrological signs such as Gemini, and Capricorn, and that there are 12 signs in the so-called “astrological” calendar.

            You might also recognize that the 3 Kings – the Magi themselves – were students of both astrology and astronomy. In our own time in history, we recognize a clear difference between ASTROLOGY  and being born under a supposed sign and the ASTRONOMY which is a serious science with telescopes and physics and mathematics.

            There is a clear difference today. But, in the Bible and for many centuries, some people put their faith in astrological signs – or predictions based on movements of the planets.

            I just take this opportunity to caution you that we – in our life’s journey – cannot put our faith in any form of fortune telling, palm reading, card reading, psychics, mediums or astrology. Each one is a form of idolatry and a rejection of God’s mercy Providence.

Idolatry, in both the Jewish faith and our Christian faith is the worship of someone or something other than God as though it were God. The 1^st of the 10 Commandments prohibits idolatry: “You shall have no other gods before me.”

            Yes, we live in difficult times, but all the more reason but our faith in Almighty God and not in the “stars”.

            Remember the Divine Mercy prayer: “Jesus, I trust in you.”

 

[__03.01__] Now, you might reject what I am saying or even say … I do not take that seriously and no one I know really takes it seriously. That’s a good thing.

            But, at the very least, to trust in mediums or psychics or astrology simply creates a LOVE TRIANGLE – connecting  you, the STARS, and God …when there is really a straight line between you and God.

            God created the stars. He is greater than the stars.

           

[__03.02__] There is also a temptation to create a triangle when there should be a straight line between 2 people.

            I have been guilty of this. For example, if I have a difficulty in a human relationship – or trouble – I may be afraid or fearful to talking it out with the person directly. Do you every have trouble talking things out – or speaking the truth – in your love to your spouse, to your child, to your parents, or intimate friends?

            When it is hard to do the straight line – to speak the truth – I am tempted to make a triangle. I do this by asking the opinions or seeking counsel in many “stars and planets”.  I am referring to my circle of friends and acquaintances as the “stars and planets”. I may look around for someone to agree with me. I may also idolize the opinion of certain people. I may look to another to tell me everything will be OK, to tell me that I am really doing “good”, when in fact I could be doing a lot better.

            Of course, it is good when people agree with you or me – when we feel “liked”, when we feel “popular”. These are, in fact, good things, but they are not GOD .  (I support, nevertheless, that we need good friends and confidantes, but even these relationships are meant to reflect – not reject – God’s will in our lives.)

            I am guilty of putting my faith in being liked or being popular, and thus avoiding what is challenging and real in a relationship.

[__04__]      The Magi or 3 Kings give us an example of following Jesus as the true star and also doing so at the risk of their own lives. They are not just “greeting” Jesus but also saying “good-bye” to their old lives and faith in the stars.

            They would have known – or learned that Herod was dangerous and unstable.   The safe route for them would have been to create a TRIANGLE – connecting the Magi to Herod to Jesus.

Herod was the STAR – or perhaps we might better describe him  as a FALLING STAR or BLACK HOLE who was dragging other people down with him.

            Which star do you wish to follow – HEROD or JESUS?

            Epiphany reminds me to choose Jesus as my star each day, to be guided by him. Some days, I am better at choosing him than other days. Do you have better days than others?   I look forward to sharing and praying on the journey to our Savior with you. [__END__]