Epiphany Year A Homily

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.

Epiphany Homily

Merry Christmas! Today we observe the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.

This word “epiphany” is a Greek word meaning “manifestation.” Therefore, what is being celebrated is Jesus’s manifestation to the whole world as Messiah, the Son of God, and the Saviour.

In the account of the magi coming to do homage to the Christ child we are given the image of a star. It was this star that they saw “at its rising” and “preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.”

The “star” is defined today differently then what it would be defined as to those who heard such words in our gospel. A star could be what we now call a star as well as anything that creates light in the sky such as the moon, planets, meteors, or comets.

This particular light which was seen by the magi was significant for it signaled to them a great joy. Through this star they were given the knowledge of the birth of “the newborn king of the Jews.”

Through such knowledge they traveled to see Herod in Jerusalem for they assumed that “the newborn king of the Jews” would be Herod’s own son. Instead they were sent elsewhere for the land to which they must travel was that of “Bethlehem of Judea.”

Some hold the theory that this star is Jupiter and Regulus staying within its setting for this would be seen as the rise and fall of a king and another who would take his throne. This light would of led them westward from Jerusalem, would of remained in front of them as they traveled, and would of been seen overhead once they arrived.

This child whom they came to do homage filled them with joy for He was not just any king, but the Messiah. This was God who has taken on our human flesh and made His dwelling place among us. This was the Saviour of the world who came in order that we be redeemed from our sinfulness.

The star lights the way to the perfect Light who is Christ. During this season of Christmas may we come to do Him homage with our life. Let us choose to live for Him for He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. To such a light we must make such a journey which leads us to being receptive of Him in all that we say and do.

O Star of Wonder, Star of Night, Star with Royal Beauty bright, Westward leading, Still proceeding, Guide us to Thy perfect Light.

Solemnity of the Epiphany Homily

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.

This celebration calls to mind a great light which has come to dispel darkness from our midst thus proclaiming a great hope throughout the whole world. This great light is Christ who is God made Flesh who has made His dwelling among us in the second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. It would be problematic for us to stress His humanity at the loss of His divinity for He is fully God and fully human.

This word “Epiphany” comes from the Greek meaning revelation from above. In the ancient Church this celebration of the Epiphany included calling to mind the visit of the magi, the baptism of the Lord in the Jordan, and the wedding feast of Cana where water was turned into wine. Through all of these events in the life of the Lord revelation of Christ’s divinity was being made to the world thus bringing forth this great light to the nations.

Now we place our focus upon those magi who traveled by the light of a star to come and give homage to the Lord. They brought with them gifts of frankincense, gold, and myrrh. It is Saint Irenaeus who states that gold is a symbol of His royalty, frankincense to show His Divinity, and myrrh which represents His humanity which includes His passion and death. These magi allowed the Lord to bring His light into their life in order that they may be forever transformed.

We too must desire to behold this light of the Lord. If Christ were only human and not divine nothing would be special about today, Christmas, and Easter. It is because of the Incarnation that we are given every reason to celebrate for now a light has been brought to the nations which were in need of such light. We like those who have gone before us need to continue to draw close to this light in order that our life and world may come to be illumined in His midst.

In 1 John we are told, “he walks in darkness and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” There are many who have allowed such darkness to blind them. Instead we must realize that “the true light is already shining.” This light is Christ who brings purpose and liberation to our life. Let us come to adore Him like the magi and let our life be transformed like the lives of the magi.

Where do we remain in the darkness? How must be allow Christ to enter in so that His light may illumine us? There is no reason for despair because Christ brings forth the virtue of hope which causes us realize that such a reality may be made so within us. Let us dare to be illumined by the Lord in order that we may come to be transformed in His midst.

Epiphany Homily

Merry Christmas!

Today we celebrate the Transferred Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.

The Epiphany stirs up imagery of three kings following the light of a star in order to bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ child.

This is true, but the more important theme of this solemnity lies in the name “Epiphany” which comes from the Greek word meaning “manifestation.” Therefore, the Epiphany is the manifestation of God on earth.

The magi came not to see a child, but to see God. They looked upon a child, but this child was God the Son. God was revealing His presence to these magi at the time of the Epiphany.

It would be great if we could look upon God as they looked upon Him. Thankfully, as those within the Church we are able to look upon Him as they did. Each and every time that we behold the Eucharist we behold Christ who is present with us.

The magi went out of there way to be with this child. In the same manner Christ desires that we come in order that we may be present with Him. The world in which we live is a busy place, but we cannot fool ourself into thinking that we are too busy for God. There are many who have done this by pushing prayer off to the side or make assisting at Mass as necessary when it is only deemed as being convenient.

Yes, the Law instructs us to assist at Mass each and every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation. Hopefully, we develop a relationship with the Lord to the point that we don’t come because of an obligation, but because of a fervent desire to enter into relationship with Him.

The magi were changed by their encounter with Christ. So too we should be transformed when we come to encounter the Lord. Let us encounter the Lord with joy this day for He who we behold in the Most Holy Eucharist is the answer that our hear seeks. It was said in the Gospel of Saint John: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

Let this celebration of the Epiphany open our heart to fervent Eucharist devotion for God is truly present with us in the Most Holy Eucharist.

Epiphany Homily

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Today we observe the Transferred Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord from its proper day of Thursday January 6th. This word ‘epiphany’ comes from the Greek word meaning ‘manifestation.’ Therefore, we celebrate the manifestation of Jesus as God to all people. We see this taking shape through the Magi who traveled via the light of the star in order to encounter the Savior of the World.

Despite how bright this star may have been for the magi it was nothing compared to the light which they would encounter through Christ. In the manger they not only encountered a child, but God who has come to dwell among us. Throughout humanity there has been a longing to encounter this great light. The darkness of sin and death was thrust upon us through the action of Adam and Eve, but Christ has come to restore us to this light.

As the Prophet Isaiah attests, “Arise! Shine, for you light has come, the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you. Though darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds, the peoples, Upon you the Lord will dawn, and over you his glory will be seen. Nations shall walk by your light, kings by the radiance of your dawning.” 

This is the same light to which we must come to orient our life. In our own life there are many stars which lead us unto this light which is Christ. One’s parents play an important role in the formation of their children in the faith. When one attends a retreat or reads a good spiritual book they are led unto the Lord. When one begins to study Sacred Scripture it points the way towards the coming of Christ. What are the many stars that have led us towards the Lord and how can we do better at being a star which leads others towards an encounter with Him?

If we are willing to lead other unto the the light which is the Lord we must be like the magi and be willing to turn our sight towards Him. As Pope Benedict XVI reminded at World Youth Day in 2015, Matthew’s Gospel “is not a distant story that took place long ago. It is with us now. Here in the sacred Host he is present before us and in our midst… He is present now as he was then in Bethlehem. He invites us to that inner pilgrimage which is called adoration.”

Therefore, may we be like the magi. Let us be moved unto the Lord. Let us come to discover the great light which dispels the darkness of sin and death. This is the light which must come to illuminate our life. It is this light alone which will come to bring us solace in the midst of darkness. He who we desire, this great light, is Christ our Lord, He who is present with us in the Most Holy Eucharist. Come let us adore Him!

Epiphany Homily

Merry Christmas!

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. This word “Epiphany” means “Manifestation of God.” Though we often equate the Epiphany solely with the Wise Men coming to do homage to Christ it also accounts for the Baptism of the Lord when a voice stated, “This is my beloved Son” and the Wedding Feast at Cana where Christ came to change water into wine. Each of these three accounts are occasions when Christ was manifested to the world as God. Hopefully we will take this manifestation to heart and allow ourself to be changed by this life giving reality.

From the Prophet Isaiah we are told of Gentiles who come to adore the Lord. Through these Wise Men from the East, who were encountered in our Gospel, we can see that all nations and kings are called to give Him homage. The same must hold true for us in this day and age for we need to be stirred our of our slumber and into action. Christ’s birth causes each us to constantly go out in search for God thus conforming our life on this earth unto His. Nevertheless, so many allow themselves to get caught up in the here and now and get lost along this path.

It was the light of a star which guided these Wise Men towards the Lord. Along the way they underwent conversion until they were finally able to behold this great light which is Christ our Lord. This great light is even greater then the light of any star that we can behold. We too ought to set out from here as they were able to do. They went with haste in order to find this great King. Likewise, we must go in haste in search of Him. Through going in haste we allow ourself to undergo the same spirit of conversion that the magi underwent for there is no greater gift that we can come to know then the gift of Christ Jesus who is God made Flesh.

If we are convinced that this child is God and has come to redeem us upon the cross then we ought to conform our life unto His. Along with the Wise Men’s gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh we should come to offer our own gifts which are brought about through this wondrous understanding of who this child truly is. To the manger we must come in order to bring with us the incense of prayer which rises up towards Heaven, the myrrh of our mortification for we must learn to die to self, and the gold of our charity which allows us to be manifest God’s love to the world. Let our hearts always be illumined by Christ and may we always be found willing to respond to His manifestation to the world as God made Flesh. 

Epiphany Homily

Merry Christmas!

Today we celebrate an important solemnity in the form of the Epiphany. For some this is solely a celebration of three wise men or three kings who come to visit Jesus and bring Him gifts. This is true, but this is also a very profound celebration in Christendom which transcends even these magi.

The word “epiphany” comes from the Greek and means “manifestation.” What is revealed here is the manifestation of God to man. In the East the Epiphany not only accounts for the visit of the Magi, but His baptism in the Jordan, and the miracle at the wedding feast where water was changed into wine. Each of these three realities serve as God’s manifestation to us.

The magi serve as important figures because God manifested Himself unto them. They followed the light of a star which brought them into this encounter with the Messiah. In the words of Pope Benedict XVI: “it is not the star that determines the child’s destiny. It is the child that directs the star.” He goes on to state: “this implies that the entire cosmos speaks of Christ, even though its language is not yet fully intelligible to man in his present state.”

From the light of this star Christ calls the magi into an encounter with Him. With this the magi journey towards Him. The magi who were Gentile in origin then undergo their conversion. They become the first to encounter God made Flesh and be converted. For them this conversion marks a new beginning. Through them we find in the words of Benedict XVI “the journeying of humanity toward Christ.”

In our Gospel we heard these words: “they prostrated themselves and did him homage.” In the Extraordinary Form the priest genuflects at this point in the Gospel for this verse points towards their realization that this child who they have encountered is God made Flesh.

May we too journey with these Magi during this time of the Epiphany. May we encounter this same child who is God made Flesh and may we too be converted and live. From the lowliness of a manger He now manifests Himself unto the whole world as God made Flesh. From this reality may we continue to journey towards Him in how we live and orient our life.

Proclamation of Moveable Feasts 2020

Know, dear brethren,

that, as we have rejoiced at the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ,

so by leave of God's mercy

we announce to you also the joy of his Resurrection,

who is our Savior.

On the twenty-sixth day of February will fall Ash Wednesday,

and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten season.

On the twelfth day of April you will celebrate with joy Easter Day,

the Paschal feast of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the twenty-fourth day of May will be the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the thirty-first day of May, the feast of Pentecost.

On the fourteenth day of June, the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

On the twenty-ninth day of November, the First Sunday of the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ,

to whom is honor and glory for ever and ever.

Amen.

Epiphany Homily

Merry Christmas!

Today we come to celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany. Concerning the magi we don’t really know a lot. They are only recorded for us in the Gospel of Saint Matthew and they are often associated with a prophecy found within the Book of Isaiah. From both of these reading we heard today.

There are many legends which surround them which attempt to fill in the gap, so that we can understand who they were. Some legends traditionally state that there were three while others state that there were more. Legends arise concerning what region they came from and if they were kings or something else. Legends even go as far as to give us their names.

Despite what we do know or what we don’t know concerning them we can say that the magi underwent a path of conversion. They came, no matter what region it might of been, from pagan origin. They underwent this journey, no matter how long or short, and they encountered the Christ child. Here they came to be converted for they came to see and believe in Christ our Lord.

Hopefully we too realize that our life is a journey to come to believe and profess in Christ our Lord more and more each day. There are so many ways that we come into contact with Christ and hopefully through such occurrences we are strengthened in our journey towards conversion.

To think that John the Baptist leaped within the womb of his mother, Elizabeth. Why, but because he came into contact with Christ who is Lord of lords and King of kings. Yes, dear brethren to encounter Christ is to shake us out of the complacency of everyday life and to realize that we are called to a path of conversion.

It is my hope that we will come to believe and profess within the Eucharist. That we will come to realize that Christ dwells with us here out of love. Not in some figurative way, but it a literal way for He is truly present with us in the Most Holy Eucharist. If we are to encounter the Eucharist we are to encounter Christ. Again not figuratively, but we literally encounter Him.

In this day and age, so many do not fathom what they receive when we they receive Christ within the Eucharist. I hope that we will never take such a gift lightly by unworthily receiving Him or lazily receiving Him in our practice of reception. 

The magi set out to encounter Christ like we should set out to encounter Him especially in the Eucharist. Through their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh we are given a revelation of who this child truly is. Despite their understanding they also came to believe and profess due to what they encountered. We can truly say that their life was transformed from this journey.

May we too come to encounter Christ in such a way in order that our life may be transformed in His midst.

Ephiphany Homily

Merry Christmas!

Today we celebrate the Epiphany which means our Lord’s manifestation to the whole world. These kings come to represent the fact that every language and nation has now been called to encounter the Messiah who manifests Himself unto the world. Therefore like these kings who have gone before us we must also come to encounter the Messiah and rejoice with Him. We must thus allow the light of the star to shine upon us and to illumine our heart and soul to behold our Lord.

The light of this star led the magi to this small town and led them to the home which housed our Blessed Lord. This small town of Bethlehem and this little home were not fit for a king such as the one that Herod assumed would threaten his throne. Yet we are instructed concerning the magi that they “were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house.” They were the first of the gentiles to come to acknowledge this great king and thus this star illumined this reality for them.

What they came to believe and profess concerning this child is the same that we must come to believe and profess. For the Lord now manifests Himself for the whole world to see. He reveals Himself to us not only to be a child, but to be God made Flesh. So many looked upon this child and saw Him to be man, but through eyes of faith the magi looked upon Him and knew that He was also God made Flesh. For this reason they gave Him the gift of gold to acknowledge Him as King, they gave him the gift of frankincense to point towards His divinity, and the gift of myrrh to profess His eventual death. 

May we too come to this same understanding that the magi professed. May we become “overjoyed” at the thought of this loving Savior who comes to dwell with us out of love. May we realize that to look upon Him is to look upon the Face of God. Thus what a wonderful gift that the Eucharist is. A gift which should cause our heart to grow “overjoyed” for what we receive here is the same Jesus whom the magi came to adore.

Thus may we join with the magi in coming to acknowledge who Christ truly is. At such a realization may we come to to do Him homage and thus allow our life to be transformed in His presence. May the light of this star shine upon us and illumine our heart and soul in order that they may truly come to behold our Savior who dwells among us.

Announcement for Easter and the Moveable Feasts

Know, dear brethren,

that, as we have rejoiced at the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ,

so by leave of God's mercy

we announce to you also the joy of his Resurrection,

who is our Savior.

On the fourteenth day of February will fall Ash Wednesday,

and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten season.

On the first day of April you will celebrate with joy Easter Day,

the Paschal feast of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the thirteenth day of May will be the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the twentieth day of May, the feast of Pentecost.

On the third day of June the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

On the second day of December, the First Sunday of the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ,

to whom is honor and glory for ever and ever.

Amen.

Epiphany Homily

Merry Christmas to all of you.

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ephipany. With this celebration we call to mind the magi and their journey to encounter the Christ child. The journey which they undertook was long and it was not easy. Nevertheless, they successfully made it to the manger and it was there in which their life was forever changed.

We too find ourself upon this same journey to encounter Christ. Life takes many twists and turns, but despite all of this we are still called to encounter Christ in all things. Once we encounter Him our life is forever changed and thus despite the temptation to turn back which may arise we must continue to move forward with the confinedence of faith.

The magi looked upwards upon the star and it was here in which light was cast in order that they may accomplish their journey. We are not cast off to live out our daily life as if we have been left all alone. Rather, we must look upwards towards Heaven and thus trust that God continues to provide for us in this day and age.

God continues to provide for us through the gifts in which we call Sacraments. The Sacraments bestow grace upon us in order that we may come to know Christ and follow after Him. To order our life after the Sacraments such as the Eucharist and Confession we will be drawn towards Christ and His infinite mercy. We these Sacraments illuminate our life in order that we may journey forward towards Christ.

The light of the star brough the magi to the manger and it was here that they surrendered their life unto Him. From this encounter they came to know and understand the infinite mercy of our Lord. Our Gospel states that "they prostrated themselves and did him homage." To think that these three kings would lower their self to a little child. And yet the one whom they do homage to is God who has taken on our human flesh as a gift of love.

Do we truly understand and believe what we come to profess during this season of Christmas? How has our life been changed by our encounter with Jesus Christ? What are we still in need of surrendering at the manger of our Blessed Lord in order that we may truly come to do him homage by the way in which we order our life?

On this celebration of the Ephiphany may we allow our life to be inluminted in order that we may come to see Christ more clearly. May we thus allow ourself to gather around Him always and do Him homage.

Epiphany Proclamation

Know, dear brethren,
 that, as we have rejoiced at
the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ,

so by leave of God’s mercy we announce to you also the joy of his Resurrection,
who is our Savior.
On the First day of March will fall Ash Wednesday,
and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten season.
On the Sixteenth day of April you will celebrate with Joy Easter Day, the Paschal feast of our Lord Jesus Christ.
On the Twenty-Eighth day of May will be the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. On the Fourth day of June the feast of Pentecost.
On the Eighteenth day of June,
the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
On the Third day of December,
the First Sunday of Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is honor and glory for ever and ever.
Amen.