Homily: The Epiphany of the Lord

 

For the past 12 days we have heard the stories of the birth of Jesus Christ as God incarnate indeed good news of great joy all people.  So, on this Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord we celebrate Jesus revealed as the Christ Child to the magi, who arrive by the light of the star. Every year we listen to this well-known Gospel story of the journey of the magi who pay homage to the Christ Child. But today I invite you to just focus on two lines that appear in the Gospel. What are they?  Check it out because…as you will you see, any interaction with this Jesus the Christ, no matter where or how it happens, will change your own journey.

Click here for a podcast of the homily

Click here for the text of the homily

Click here for the readings of the day.

Homily: The Epiphany of the Lord

So, when there is so much turmoil, so much fear, so much uncertainty, so much unrest in our world and in our lives, it is easy to ask, “Where is this epiphany, this manifestation of the Lord?”  I think the answer lies within two key lines of today’s Gospel.  What are those lines? And why should we carry those lines with us each day? Check it out… 

Click here for a podcast of the homily

Click here for the text of the homily

Click here for the readings of the Sunday

Homily: The Epiphany of the Lord

Today we celebrate the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles in the presence of the Magi.  But where is Christ for you?  God cannot be found 'out there' until God is found 'in here', within yourself. So are you in a place where change is needed?  Is what was once working, not feeling comfortable any longer?  Perhaps you are ready to start your New Year in a different fashion?  

This week’s Gospel may break open more questions than answers….but questions that just may make a difference in your 2016.

For the podcast of the homily click here

For the text of the homily click here

For the readings of the Sunday click here

Epiphany 2014

In ancient times before calendars were common, most people did not know the dates for the upcoming Liturgical year. Therefore on Epiphany Sunday, the upcoming dates were announced. After the singing of the Gospel, the Deacon, in keeping with an ancient practice of Holy Church, would proclaim from the ambo the moveable feasts of the current year.

I will skip the singing and simply share with you, in the format prescribed, the dates for your calendar!

 

Know, my dear sisters and brothers 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 Fifth day of March will fall Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten season.

On the Twentieth day of April you will celebrate with joy Easter Day, the Paschal feast of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the Twenty-Ninth day of May will be the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the Eighth day of June the feast of Pentecost.

On the Twenty-Second day of June, the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

On the Thirtieth day of November the First Sunday of Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is honor and glory for ever and ever.

Amen.

p.s. – Christmas 2014, will fall on the 25thof December!

 

The Epiphany of Our Lord - 2012



Photograph by Alex Cherney, TWAN

Comet Lovejoy as seen from Cape Schanck
Melbourne, Australia, Christmas Eve 2011.



"And behold, the star that the Magi had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."     Matt 2:9-11

The word Epiphany comes from two Greek words: the preposition “epi” and the verb “phainen” which means to shine upon, or to reveal. And so, on this feast day, we celebrate Christ first revealing himself to the magi as they arrive by the light of the star.

For some years in my parish we have had the tradition, on this feast day, to hand out a small baggie filled with blessed chalk, some incense and a blessing.  Once home, it allows each family to bless their home and mark the lintel of the front door, thereby blessing all those who enter…reminding us that while we celebrate the first epiphany of Christ this Sunday…Christ continues to manifest himself in all who enter our homes and our lives.

My friend and author, Meredith Gould, talks about this tradition of chalking the lintel in her book: The Catholic Home: Celebrations and Traditions for Holidays, Feast Days, and Every Day.  It is a book every home should have!

So take a few minutes today or this weekend...gather the family, grab a piece of chalk hanging around the house, click here to download a home blessing/ritual you can use...and make the connection of the sacredness of church to the sacredness of your home and family!