Feast of the Epiphany —
5th January 2014
1. Readings: Isaiah
60:1-6
Psalm 72: 1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13
Ephesians 3:2, 5-6
Matthew 2:1-12
2. Biblical Reflection
· The Feast of the Epiphany helps us
translate into our lives the power of the Messiah. We Christians can relive the
spirit of Christmas while God reveals himself yet again and begins to live
among his people in an encounter that can transform the plans and ambitions of
a people.
· God sent the angel to the Shepherds
and the Magi, who heard and heeded the message. They left their activities and
their preoccupations to respond to the call of God. They travelled a journey
that would eventually change their history. In Matthew 2:12, rather than going
through Jerusalem as instructed by Herod, the Wise Men returned to their
country by a different way and began to lead a different life. The Shepherds
likewise returned to their preoccupations, but not to their former sins. Each
had enough knowledge and experience to deal with matters at the heart of their
own lives. But that alone was not complete and fulfilling.
· When we encounter him through the
star, he will reveal himself. He will chase out the darkness and make us travel
in the light (Mt. 2:9). We can overcome evil only when each of us decides to
take a different path: the path of living as Christ wants us to, leaving behind
our sinful ways.
· The Prophet Isaiah offers an image of
Jerusalem emerging into light after a time of destruction and darkness and the
thick clouds of sinful lives. Giving hope to the residents for the restoration
of their city, the prophet depicts the Messiah’s coming as light shining in the
dark, illumining the city that becomes more beautiful, more attractive, more
conducive to righteous living. We are called to carry the light that endows our
cultures and to move to our own Jerusalem. The light should remove the darkness
of confusion, discord, lust, jealousy, imperfection, and other evils.
3.
Link with the Social Doctrine of the
Church
· Populorum Progressio No. 30, 31[1],
teaches that the injustices faced by the children of God cry to heaven. “When
whole populations destitute of necessities live in a state of dependence
barring them from all initiative and responsibility, and all opportunity to
advance culturally and share in social and political life, recourse to violence
as a means to right these wrongs to
human dignity is a great temptation.” We can overcome such temptations
only if we remain faithful and obedient to the “star.” We can avert whatever
leads to violence for we already know the fruits of violence. Even when our
common good is tampered with, we must stick to our star, because experience has
taught that “a real evil should not
be fought against at the cost of greater misery.”
· Pope Francis I, in his encyclical
letter The Light of Faith, No. 13, explains that faith is trust in
God’s merciful love which forgives and thus makes straight “the crooked lines
of our history.” Faith entails a willingness to allow ourselves to be
transformed anew by God’s free gift, which calls for humility and the courage
to trust and to entrust.
4.
Yes, Kenya matters!
· We have been immersed in the nativity
events and its joys. The child was born under inhuman conditions. Various
preparations and modes of celebration have been enacted once again:
merry-making, eating and drinking, socializing, visiting relatives and friends,
and participating in liturgies. Behind all these activities lie anxieties: lack
of finances, lack of peace and harmony, lack of hope, as well as disillusion
with life and fear of terrorism. The lives of many have come to a standstill
and many stand in confusion as they face huge challenges in life.
· Now is the time to heed the voice of
the Angel, as the Magi and the Shepherds did, and to accept being led to the
place of revelation. It is the time to follow the star, the Messiah, and to
reach the fulfillment of our destiny. For only there shall we acclaim peace in
heaven and on earth. But we look around us. What has happened through the year
is disheartening. People have started to
live as though they had no conscience. How many drivers ignore the star that
leads to security on our roads!? How many leaders reject the Angel’s message
out of egocentrism, ill motive, revenge and the false confidence of impunity!?
How many Christians refuse the revelation because of discord, gossip, and
envy!? We see the realities in our
counties, the efforts of some leaders being watered down by others. We wonder
aloud: What are the walls separating us? Ethnicity? Religion? Property?
Education? Wealth? Health? We should
wonder also: What are the barriers that hinder harmony and sharing within
family and community? Pride? Ill will? How can we resolve the discouragement of
failure or loss, of pain and discord? The star will reappear only if we remain
focused and determined. We will gain new strength and thus take a new route to
settle our issues.
5.
Questions for
reflection in SCCs
· Describe a situation in your area
that contradicts people’s good intentions.
· In which areas do people need the
“star” to give them the orientation to follow?
· Describe personalities of our day
whose actions can be associated with those of the Magi and the Shepherds.
