The Epiphany of the Lord – Jan. 7, 2024

 

The Epiphany of the Lord – Jan. 7, 2024

Isaiah 60: 1-6; Ephesians 3: 2-3a; 5-6; Matthew 2: 1-12.

Theme: Jesus is the Epiphany of God, and We are Called to be the Epiphany of Jesus

 

Today, we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany. From its Greek origin: epi, “on, upon”, and phaino, “to appear, to shine”, the word “Epiphany” refers to the divinity of Jesus “shining upon” the world. In other words, Epiphany is the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus. The early Church identified three specific events that reveal Jesus’ divine nature. The modern Lectionary and liturgical calendar maintain them together in three celebrations in a row. First, the visit of the Magi that we celebrate today; second, the Baptism of the Lord which is generally observed on the Sunday after Epiphany but this year it is scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, January 8^th; and third, the following Sunday (the second Sunday in Ordinary Time) always has either a Gospel passage of the Wedding at Cana (John 2: 1-11) or John the Baptist’s testimony to Jesus, the section that comes right before the Wedding at Cana (John 1: 29-42). 

In this feast of Epiphany, we celebrate the self-manifestation of God through the Infant Jesus. Prophet Isaiah, in the first reading, tells of the light shining forth from Jerusalem attracting peoples from near and far, from land and sea. In our Gospel, Matthew informs us that the Magi (the three wise men from the East) were led by the star (the light from above) to the place where the Newborn King was. Saint Paul, in today’s second reading, teaches the Ephesians that they and all the Gentiles are members of the same body of Christ.

Matthew commences this Gospel account of the birth of Jesus by mentioning Bethlehem, King Herod, and the magi. (Matthew 2: 1-2). The explanation of these three names will help us to better understand the theological meaning of our Gospel passage. First, “Bethlehem of Judea”, the birthplace of Jesus, is the place where David was anointed as king. (1 Samuel 16: 1-13). So, by mentioning “Bethlehem of Judea” here, the evangelist wants to confirm that Jesus is from the line of David. Therefore, this newborn is the Messiah foretold by the prophets of the Old Testament. Second, Herod was appointed by the Roman senate to rule Judea in 40 B.C. The Jewish historian Josephus reports that he was a brutal tyrant. He executed large numbers of political opponents including his own family members. The primary goal of his life was to maintain his power. That is why he was constantly vigilant against possible threats to it, particularly from those who pretended to fulfill the royal prophecies foretold by the prophets. Herod was extremely paranoid to the level that all people feared him. My assumption in the context of our Gospel is that the people in Herod’s city and court were not pleased with the arrival of the magi insofar as their interpretation of a king who was born among the Jews would provoke Herod’s paranoia. And when Herod’s paranoia enflamed, people would die.

Third, the magi were learned men, academics, or scientists of their time. They studied astronomy which was not distinct from astrology in antiquity. As astronomical phenomena were identified with historical events, the magi were the ones to bring interpretations. Matthew reports an astronomical event around the time of Jesus’ birth and the interpretation of the three magi which indicates a new royal line among the Jews.

In this Gospel passage, Matthew tells us that the first persons to whom the divinity of Jesus was revealed were not the insiders from the Jewish community but the foreign magi who came from the East. This illustrates the universalism of God’s revelation. Prophet Isaiah, in our first reading, already prophesied that caravans of camels shall fill Jerusalem; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the Lord. (Isaiah 60: 6). Also, Saint Paul, in our second reading, confirms this universalism of God’s revelation when he says that through the Gospel, the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 3: 6). Today, God continues to reveal himself to all people from different backgrounds. The Church is the visible sign of God’s revelation as it welcomes people from all nations.

Matthew speaks of the star that guided the magi to the place where the new King Jesus was born. To see and know God, we must go to Jesus who is the Epiphany of his Father. So, we need to find our star, the light from above, who can lead us to him. Our Gospel says that the three wise men came from afar, meaning that they traveled a long distance to discover where the newborn King was born. No doubt they were tired, but they did not give up. They faithfully followed the star. You and I are the “magi” of today. Our earthly life is a long journey going to Jesus who reveals to us who God is. We need revelatory stars that lead us to Jesus. And once we find them, we need to follow their guidance faithfully.

The celebration of the Eucharist (Mass) is the first and greatest star that draws us closer to our Lord. During Mass, Jesus reveals God to us. When we attend Mass, we take part in the heavenly banquet; we sit at the same table with Christ; we hear him when he speaks to us through the Scripture readings, and he hears us when we lift up our petitions, prayers, and songs to him. At the celebration of the Eucharist, we touch Jesus through the Holy Communion that we receive, and we become one with him. Mass is the star that leads us to Jesus. Bible study is another star that shows us the way to Jesus. Saint Jerome said that ignoring the Scripture is ignoring Jesus. To go to Jesus and know him means that we need to open our Bibles and read them. I lead Bible sharing every Friday at 5:00 pm virtually via Zoom and in person. Starting this Friday, January 12^th, 19^th, and 26^th at 6: 00 p.m., I will teach a 3-day Bible Study Class to all SVD Church members from different dioceses in the Southern part of the country. You can attend in person or online. I encourage us to become familiar with reading the Bible at home. The Bible is a good star that guides us to Jesus. There are many more stars that we should also use as our guides such as Church ministries (choir, lector, Eucharist Ministers, catechists, Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils, Men club, Ladies club, Young Adult Ministry, Youth Ministry, Usher/Security, and all ministries, commissions, and committees). When we serve God in these ministries and committees, we strengthen our relationship with God.

The path of the magi did one stop in Herod’s territory. The magi revealed to everyone that they were in search of the newborn king of the Jews because they saw his star at its rising. When Herod heard the news about the Newborn King Jesus, he was greatly troubled. Matthew tells us that “all Jerusalem” was troubled right along with him (Mt 2: 2-3). That was not good news for Herod who did not want anyone to threaten his power. As I mentioned above, Herod was extremely paranoid. He had such control over his subjects that they were too afraid to show any disloyalty to him. When Matthew says that all people in Jerusalem were afraid along with Herod, this does not mean that they worry about the power of their king Herod. Rather, the people worried about their peace. They knew that when Herod was distressed, people would die. Today Herod represents all those who take comfort in the darkness and fear the light. Those who do not accept Jesus to be the king of their lives. We must abandon all the works of darkness and come to the light as prophet Isaiah exhorts us to in our first reading.

When the Magi encountered the newborn Jesus, they prostrated themselves, did him homage, and offered him the presents of gold (meaning that Jesus is a King), frankincense (Jesus is a higher Priest), and myrrh (predicting the death and resurrection of Jesus). The gestures of the Magi and the meaning of their presents are found in the liturgy of the Eucharist. At Mass, we come to praise Jesus our Lord, the king of the universe. He is the Higher Priest who celebrates his own Mass through the human priest. And Mass itself is the celebration of the Paschal ministry, which is the commemoration of Jesus’ Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension.

After experiencing the “Epiphany of our Lord”, in their mystical contact with Jesus, the Maggi departed for their country in another way, avoiding the way that would lead them back to Herod who had no intention to bow down before Jesus but rather to kill him. During the liturgy of the Mass, there is a mystical encounter that occurs between us and Jesus which provokes in us a metanoia, “conversion”. That is why, at the end of the Mass, being transformed, we are called to return to our homes using a different way, which is the way of conversion. We abandon our old life and start a new one with Jesus.

Jesus, the star of our lives, is the Epiphany of God. He draws us closer to God. As his followers, we are called to be the stars for our brothers and sisters. We must help them see Jesus and come closer to him through our Christian lives. Amen.

Rev. Leon Ngandu, SVD

 

 

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph- Dec. 31, 2023

 

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph- Dec. 31, 2023

Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Colossians 3:12-21; Luke 2: 22-40

 

Theme: The Holy Family of Nazareth is the Model for our Families Today

Last Sunday, we celebrated the nativity of our Lord, and today, the Church invites us to celebrate the feast of the Holy Family of Saint Joseph, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and their Child Jesus. The Bible readings suggested today focus on the rights and responsibilities that we have toward each other in our families. On the one hand, Sirach and Saint Paul, in our first and second readings, give us some pieces of advice on the virtues to observe to make our families great. On the other hand, the evangelist Luke, in our Gospel, speaks of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph who lived concretely these virtues in their lives. So, this Holy Family became the model for our families to imitate.

The book of Sirach, also known as Ecclesiasticus, that we heard in our first reading is composed of fifty chapters of wisdom literature. It was written between the years 200 and 175 BC by the Jewish scribe known as Ben Sira. This book contains ethical themes and poetic sayings. The theological message of this book is that building up the right relationships in a family (between husband and wife, parents/grandparents and children/grandchildren, young and old, rich and poor, etc.) ultimately leads to better reverence of God.

In our passage, Sirach instructs us on what each member of the family is expected to do to each other in order to be in good harmony with God and with one another. Sirach teaches us the application of natural virtues in daily life. This short reading has two parts. In the first part, the author teaches children the virtues that they need to do toward their parents. He says that when they honor their fathers, they atone for sins, and preserve themselves from them. When they revere their mothers, they store up riches. Honoring and respecting their parents make the children live long lives, and consequently, God hears their prayers when they pray to him. (Vv. 2-6). The second part concerns the responsibilities of children toward their parents in their old age. Sirach invites children to take care of their parents when they are old. As long as they live, we should not grieve them, even when their minds fail. The kindness that we express to our parents will not be forgotten. (Vv. 12-14). 

The wisdom that Sirach teaches us is of particular importance for our families as many are very fragile today. There is so much anger, hate, and division that is damaging our families. Here Sirach calls each of us to manifest care and concern for familial relationships. Note that Sirach relates our family relationships to the reverence of God. This means, the more we honor the relationships of our household, the more we come to revere God. When we extend our compassion to one another and care for everyone, God will grant us what we ask him when we pray to him.

Saint Paul, in our second reading, exhorts us in the same direction. He invites us to put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. He also asks us to bear with one another and forgive one another as the Lord has forgiven us. In everything that we do, we must let the peace of Christ control our hearts and the Word of God dwell in us richly. He then calls us to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and give thanks to God. Here Saint Paul refers to the liturgy of the Eucharist that we celebrate at Mass. In brief, he invites us to attend Masses regularly. When we follow all these pieces of advice, we make our families the families God created us to be.

One may say that the virtues that Sirach and Saint Paul advise us to observe are just theories, meaning difficult to practice. The evangelist Luke, in our Gospel, presents us with a family who concretely observed these virtues in their lives. This family is the Holy Family of Saint Joseph, the Blessed Mother Mary, and their Child Jesus whom our Holy Mother Church invites us to imitate. The first virtue that Luke mentions about this Holy Family is the obedience of the parents to the law of Moses (today, we will say the law of the Church). “When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord” (vv. 22-23, NABRE). The observance of the law of God is an important characteristic of the Holy family. They were faithful to the commandments of God. This is the virtue that our families today need to imitate.  We are called to be faithful to the laws of the Church.

The second virtue is the humility that this Holy Family shows us. They did not use their “holy family” status or other reasons to excuse themselves from fulfilling this religious obligation. Rather, they humbled themselves and observed all the proper regulations of the Old Covenant.  Let us follow their example. We should not use excuses to not fulfill Church obligations but rather be humble.

The third virtue that this Holy family teaches us is piety. They put a priority on worship. Together with their child, they went up to Jerusalem to worship God in the Temple. We will make our families great if we too put a priority on worship. Sunday is the day of the Lord, the day when all families are called to gather together in the Church and form one Church family to worship God in the liturgy of the Eucharist. Worshiping God in the Church brings us all the blessings that we need. Our Gospel tells us that in the temple, this Holy Family received beautiful blessings and insights from the devout man Simeon and the prophetess Anna who were waiting for them. God waits for us every day (especially on Sundays) in our Church in the Eucharistic celebrations (Masses) and other sacraments and he is ready to bestow his blessings on us. So, with a spirit of obedience and humility, we need to come to Church, especially on the days of obligations, and observe our daily prayer time.

May the liturgy of the Mass enable our families to imitate the Holy family of Saint Joseph, the Blessed Mother Mary, and their child Jesus. Amen.

Rev. Leon Ngandu, SVD

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas): Night. Dec. 24, 2023

 The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas): Night. Dec. 24, 2023

Isaiah 9: 1-6; Titus 2: 11-14; Luke 2: 1-14

 

Theme: Jesus is the Light who Comes to Overcome the Darkness that Envelops us

This night makes us recall that glorious night when the Blessed Virgin Mary bore for the world the Messiah whom Joseph his legal father named Jesus by the recommendation of the angel of the Lord. (Matthew 1: 21). We who prepared our hearts and our families during Advent, and like Joseph, we who accepted to take the Virgin Mary with the child Jesus in her womb into our hearts and families, now as a result, our savior is born in our hearts and families. Isaiah, in our first reading, foretold his names: Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, and Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9: 6). The angel of the Lord, in our Gospel, exhorts us to fear no more because this child who is born in us is Christ and Lord. (Luke 2: 10-11). From now on, since we let Jesus be born in our hearts and families, Saint Paul in tonight’s second reading calls to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age until the second coming of our Lord at the end of time. (Titus 2: 13-14).

Isaiah’s prophecy in our first reading is part of the dialogue that Isaiah undertook with Ahaz, the king of Judah (See Isaiah 7-9). Today’s passage can be interpreted in its context of the eighth-century BC situation in which Isaiah speaks about the freedom of the Northern tribes of Israel from Assyrian occupation at the time of the great king Hezekiah, son of Ahaz. The people of Israel managed to survive a period of oppression, and now they enjoy a new life of liberation. Isaiah describes them as people who are journeying out of a time of “darkness” into “great light”. God brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing. Their rejoicing is compared to the joyful celebration during an abundant harvest when the people divide spoils. (v. 3). The author identifies Assyria as the “yoke”, “pole”, and “rod” that burdened the people during the oppression. Isaiah compares Israel’s victory over their oppressors to the “day of Midian,” alluding to the time when Gideon successfully defeated the Midianites. (See Judges 7: 15-25).

After describing the powerful victory of the people of Israel, Isaiah directs his prophecy toward the foretelling of the Messiah. “For a child is born to us, a son is given us, upon his shoulder dominion rests.” (v. 6). In his conversation with King Ahaz in Isaiah 7: 14, he said that this Messiah would be named “Emmanuel”. Here he lines up different names: “Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.” (v.6). Note that in Hebrew, the name signifies the essence of the person. “The Wonder Counselor” and “Prince of Peace” are King Solomon’s titles. This means that this “Son-Messiah” will stand in Solomon’s place. The titles of “Mighty God” and “Everlasting Father” are divine. They indicate that this “Son” will be more than a mere human being. King Hezekiah who brought the people of Israel to freedom from Assyrian oppression was a mere human being. Here, Isaiah is prophesying a divine man on David’s throne. So, these words of Isaiah transcend this immediate context of the eighth-century BC and become the vision for a future child who will be God himself present among his people. This prophecy is fulfilled tonight in this solemnity of the nativity of Emmanuel, the Prince of Peace.

The Evangelist Luke commences his account of the Lord’s birth with particular attention to secular historical details that pose a historical problem. For instance, he tells us that Quirinus was the Governor of Syria at the time of Jesus’ birth while various historians attest that Quirinius was not made governor of Syria until A.D. 6 when he took control of Judea at the expulsion of Herod’s son Archelaus. Despite all historical issues with the dating and names found in this passage, the important point of Luke’s theological intention is to tell us that the True Prince of Peace, Jesus, came to the world during the Pax Romana when the Gentile world looked to Augustus Caesar as the prince of peace. To make this point, the author of the third Gospel uses historical facts (such as the census) and remolds them to suit his theological aim, just as ancient historians would do.

After the historical facts in which he demonstrates that Jesus is the Prince of Peace (not Augustus Caesar), Luke’s next preoccupation is to prove that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises (especially those of the prophet Isaiah we heard in the first readings of last and tonight Sundays). Notice the fulfillment of all the references to the Davidic covenant: Jesus is born in Bethlehem which is David’s birthplace; Joseph the husband of Mary and Jesus’ legal adopted father who is of the house and family of David; the presence of shepherds who remind us of David the shepherd.

Another theological point that Luke teaches us here is to be found in these details: The child is born in “Bethlehem” and laid in a “manger”. Note that the name “Bethlehem” literally means “House of Bread”, and a “manger” (in French, mangeoire, the verb is manger which means to eat) is the place where the sheep eat. Here Luke wants to tell his readers that Jesus who is the Bread of Life is born in the “House of Bread” and laid in a “feeding place”.  Our local Church, Our Lady Star of the Sea, is the “Bethlehem”, the “House of the Bread of Life” where himself Jesus “the Bread of Life” is born and laid on this altar, our “manger”, the place where we receive him in the Communion.

Mary and Joseph did not find a suitable place for the birth of their firstborn son. For four weeks during Advent, You and I have been preparing ourselves to offer Mary suitable places in our hearts and families.  Making our hearts and families available for Christ to be born in means that we accept to cooperate with God in his plan to save the world as Mary and Joseph did. So, the newborn Jesus transforms each one of us to become “another him” to save the people where we live. First, we become the “Bethlehem” (the “House of Bread of Life”). We are called to offer our hospitality to the people who are in need. May our Christian lives be “a Bethlehem” for the people where they feel safe. Second, we become the “Bread of Life” for others. Some people are hungry (physically and spiritually) around us and overseas. We are called to provide them with food that can sustain their physical and spiritual lives. Third, we become the “feeding place” (manger). The way the “manger” serves as the place where the sheep come to get food, our Christian lives should serve as the inspirational source for those who feel weak physically, morally, and spiritually.

Matthew says that the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds, the glory of the Lord shone around them, and he announced to them the good news of great joy that will be for all people. (vv. 9-12). Note that shepherds were the poorest people in society. They did not own land or sheep. They work for hire. God chooses the poor shepherds to be the first ones to know about his coming. He makes the shepherds his ambassadors to the world, announcing a message of his birth. Jesus calls each one of us to be his ambassadors where we live, bearing this message of “good news of great joy” to everyone.

Matthew ends this passage telling us that the multitude of the heavenly host with the angel was praising God singing: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (vv. 13-14). Notice, these are the same words that we use in our “Glory to God” song that we sing in Masses before the opening prayer. When we sing this song, we join the heavenly host with angels and praise God together. This is a very important song. Please whenever we sing it, let us sing it with reverence.

Jesus is born. God took our human flesh and dwells now among us. We have made our hearts and families become the “Bethlehem” and the “manager” for the “Bread of Life”. Now it is time, as St. Paul exhorts us in our second reading, to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age as we await his second coming at the end of time with hope. Remember that you and I are chosen to be God’s ambassadors wherever we live announcing this good news of great joy to everyone starting in our families, Church, and neighborhood. Amen.

Merry Christmas 2023 and Happy New Year 2024!

Rev. Leon Ngandu, SVD