Jerusalem was not at the height of it’s strength. They were a people who had known exile, darkness, and disappointment. The temple had been destroyed and now their future was left uncertain. Nevertheless, they were told by the prophet Isaiah, “Your light has come” It is this great light which shines in the midst of the darkness bringing hope to whatever it touches.
This Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord is the declaration of this hope fulfilled. The light which was foretold by Isaiah was not just an idea, but a person. This light takes on a face, a name, and a human heart. This light is Jesus Christ and He has been revealed not only to a nation, but to the whole world.
Isaiah says, “Darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples.” We live in world which continues to know of such darkness. There is division, violence, and fear that continues to enter into our human condition. We have been touched by grief, loneliness, and sin. To such darkness we must come to believe that the “light has come.”
Isaiah goes onto say that “nations shall walk by your light.” The light of Christ has not entered into this world in order that it may remain hidden. Like the star that guided the magi by its light towards Christ must we continue to lead others towards Him. We can only complete such a task if we are found willing to encounter the Lord and to depart changed by Him.
The Magi came to notice this light. They trusted in it and thus they journeyed towards it. They persevered whenever the road before them became rough. Finally, they were able to encounter Christ and from this encounter they were left forever changed. Through this encounter they did not return the same way and so too they did not return to their ways of old.
This morning we are blessed to have those with us who will soon make a Profession of Faith. In doing so they will proclaim their faith in Christ and His Church and they will come to be confirmed and make their first communion. They have set their sight upon Christ who is the great light and now their life will always be transformed by Him.
Let all of us “rise up in splendor” for our “light has come.” Let us not attempt to put such a light “under a bushel basket,” but “set on a lamp stand, where it gives light to all in the house.” We must allow Christ to illuminate our life in all that we do. We who have encountered Him have been forever changed by such an interaction and so let us never turn back.
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