6th January 2009 - Feast of the Epiphany
A visitor who knew nothing of the Christian Gospel and was visiting Ireland for the first time on Christmas Eve would be very taken aback at what people were doing. On that evening literally, hundreds of thousands of people across the length and breath of this small Island were making their way to a Church to remember the birth of a baby more than 2000 years ago. For many this visit may be the first of only two for the whole year, but still they were drawn by the light of a story, that we will never grow tired of recalling.
Today's Feast of the Epiphany recalls another visit, the visit of the Magi to the stable in Bethlehem. Tradition gives them the names, Casphar, Melchior, and Balthasar and it appears they were Astrologers from Persia or Mesopotamia. Drawn by the light of a Bright Star that had risen, they came from the East and followed the Star untill it halted over the place where the child was. They fell to their knees and offered him homage. Again, we are not told what they said, all we know is that this child had an effect on them; they had travelled many miles to see him and they gave him gifts that would foretell his future, Gold for a King, Frankincense for someone divine, and Myrrh for someone who was fragile enough to undergo death. These Kings represented the Gentile World, as the Shepherds represented the Hebrew People. All gathered around the child and went away changed, indeed went home a different way.
The Feast of the Epiphany is above all a celebration of light, the light that Mary gazed upon as she cradled her Son in her arms. It needs also to be for us a celebration of light and indeed of hope. In that fragile baby lying helpless in the manger we see the image of our God made visible. That is what the Magi saw and why they knelt down in adoration. Before we pack away the crib for another year let its message increase our faith and deepen our hope. To all who join us tonight who are anxious or worried our prayer for you is that you experience the peace of Christ and the hope his coming brought. The Magi offered him gifts, what can we give to him as a sign of our faith and love, and will we allow ourselves to be changed as they were?
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Homilies Archive
17nd May 2009
26th April 2009
3rd Sunday of Easter
12th April 2009
Easter Sunday
9th April 2009
Holy Thursday
29th March 2009
5th Sunday in Lent
22nd March 2009
4th Sunday in Lent
17th March 2009
St. Patrick's Day
15th March 2009
3rd Sunday in Lent
8th March 2009
2nd Sunday in Lent
1st March 2009
1st Sunday in Lent
25th February 2009
Ash Wednesday
22nd February 2009
8th February 2009
1st February 2009
25th January 2009
18th January 2009
11th January 2009
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
6th January 2009
Feast of the Epiphany
4th January 2009
2008 HOMILIES ARCHIVE
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