Homily - Epiphany

Such beautiful words God speaks to the people of Israel through Isaiah in our first reading. Words of hope, especially to a people who have been in exile; who thought themselves forsaken, forgotten. Words of tenderness, comfort; to life them up,  God speaks to Israel, God’s chosen people, and in these words there is also a reminder of who they are and who they are to be. 

We remember that God chose Abram as we heard last week, and promised descendants more numerous than the stars of the sky. God did this not just for the sake of Abram to have heirs but that they will reveal to the world God. Thus God will be made known to all the world.  Israel will enlighten the world to the face of God. All the world could then live in the freedom, know their own inherent goodness and act on it because they knew God. All the world could transcend their selfishness, work together for the good of all. This was the mission of Israel.

Jesus fulfills this mission.  In him, we can know all of God. We have been enlightened.

And we believers join in this continued mission; to know God and to share this relationship with the world, so that in all places of the world, God’s face is known, loved and people are freed.  We believers build Heaven on earth.

We here believe, at some level. We all come at various depths of belief, heights of belief. Our life’s work is to deepen that belief; go higher in our faith, become more wise, and thus spread the Good News.

What difference has believing in Jesus made for us? What difference having faith in God made for us? Are we making a difference for the world, a positive difference?

The Magi and Herod are given a chance to encounter God’s great plan, the fulfillment of the mission; they each respond in different ways.  The Magi with open hearts go in search of this “king” that was born. They seek the divine wisdom and give homage to it. Symbolizing that worldly wisdom derives its meaning ideally from divine wisdom.  Herod, well he only sees himself and his power. He will do anything to maintain this own way of life. He will not participate in God’s mission. He is the epitome of worldly wisdom.

This has been our story ever since; played out in nations, in our church and played out in us.  We are all given a path to follow; a wisdom of humility, mercy, generosity; to give of one’s self for the good of others; love. This is the face of God. This is the true wisdom of God.  Yet, how many times we have used this to hurt, to maim, to deny; we corrupted this message as an institution, as a supposed nation under God, and as persons to benefit ourselves.

And there are many people who choose to live wisely, to live the mission.  They speak of Love and act on it. They work to end poverty, they work to end violence on the unborn, the sick and elderly, the condemned prisoner. They strive to protect this world and all its beauty.  They see people as dignified, maybe hurting, but always worthy of love.  They pray, they work not to get themselves into heaven at some point in the future after death, but to help build heaven here on earth, now.

True believers that speak up for all persons, and work against the evils of racism, sexism, nationalism.  They make known God’s great love not with their grandiose words, or politics; but with action, with kindness, with forgiveness.  Sr. Helen Prejean, Gloria Purvis, St. Oscar Romero, Dorothy Day, Fr. Greg Boyle, Pope Francis just to name a few who have and are still at work for God.  And the countless quiet ones, who day in and day out, hope and work for a better world, and trust in God, in the face of God.  Who don’t long to escape this beautiful world, but wish for that beauty to be made more real.

And we, ourselves?  How will those beautiful words of Isaiah, all of scripture inspire in us a change?  How will belief in Jesus Christ inspire us?