Friday, January 3, 2014

Feast of the Epiphany — 5th January 2014

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.


Outline prepared by Fr Nicholas Makau, IMC, and edited by a team of RSCK-JPIC,The Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission of the Religious Superiors’ Conference of Kenya.religiousconference@gmail.com




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