January 04, 2009 Epiphany of the Lord Is. 60:1-6; Eph. 3:2-3, 5-6; Mt. 2:1-12 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   Readings: http://www.catholicdoors.com/homilies/2009/090104.htm       ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________     The Wise Men's quest began with a star in the sky. The search for the main thing begins with an upward look, a glance toward the heavens. Their discovery started with what might be called a posture of prayer   This search for the principal thing also involves a journey. Matthew states that the Wise Men started in the east and moved west. They left home, the most familiar of places, and ventured out toward a yet unknown destination. It would be a journey not unlike that of Abraham and Sarah in the Old Testament, who at the call of God departed their native land and travelled toward a land of promise. Like any journey, this journey for the principal thing in life involves enduring some rough spots along the way, negotiating a curve or two, climbing some hills, and passing through and out of dark valleys.   And, lastly, the discovery of that which is most sacred frequently takes us through and comes out of some of the darkest times and events of our lives.   Matthew declares that the Wise Men arrive at the place above which the star was located. Their quest has brought them, their search has led them, to the discovery of life's main thing - the Christ. The gospel declares that they "rejoiced with a great joy." Further, the Wise Men fell down before their Saviour and presented their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The needful things of this world and their value always pale in comparison when cast in the light of the main thing in life.   The riches of Christ are indeed unsearchable; and yet we spend so much time searching for them. We search for salvation; we search for wealth; we search for security. We live with the continued delusion that the very meaning of life can be learned. The light that Jesus comes to shine in our darkness is the light of Thanksgiving -- of Eucharist, Holy Communion. We are to be stewards and bearers of light, of the light, of the light that shines in the darkness and which the darkness cannot overcome.   Through Baptism we are given gifts by God. The greatest of these gifts are the gifts of God's Spirit and God's Grace. The unsearchable riches of Christ have been given to us so that we might give them to others, that all persons everywhere might be reconciled one to another; and that the glory of the Lord might shine throughout all the earth.   <<   Previous: Mary, Mother of God  | Next: Baptism of the Lord >>   Go Back to SERMONS (Year B)