THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD (SOLEMNITY)

The Epiphany of the Lord. This Sunday, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany (from the Greek word epiphania which means manifestation or showing), the manifestation of God, particularly to the Gentile nations (us). It was God’s initiative to show that, in Jesus, the outsiders and those without hope are reconciled to God too. Our God who was seen as the exclusive right of a particular people, in his mercy willed that those who dwelt in darkness shall see great light, and thus manifested his eternal plan to extend his Kingdom to the ends of the earth, as we read in today’s psalm. The Magi’s pilgrimage marks a significant moment in the fulfilment of God’s promises, and the revelation of God’s eternal plan to gather all nations as heirs to his promises. St Paul calls this a revelation of the mystery that, in Christ, pagans now share in God’s promise to Abraham. We are to be open to God’s manifestation and avoid the Herodian tendency of envy and insecurity, and the closeness of the heart of the scribes and the chief priests. The Magi from the East sought and found God. As the scripture says, if you seek me, you will find me. May we too, with openness of heart, seek and find God who constantly manifests himself to us.  Amen Happy New Year Fr Chinedu