Solemnity of the Epiphany 2008

We are surrounded by very intelligent people. People who make discoveries in science; people who invent things; people who cure diseases. People who plan cities, design buildings, build bridges and roads that seemed impossible. People who write books with great imagination. It seems amazing what people can do, no end to the creative powers that God gives to human beings. It seems that no problem is too great that cannot be over come. No puzzle too big that cannot be solved. Infact the greatest mystery to human beings is not things outside themselves but infact men and women themselves. What a mystery we are. How we are able to do great things and how we are capable of terrible things as well. We need look no further than the terrible violence of Kenya or some of those terrible wars that are ongoing in Africa.

There is a different between intelligence and wisdom. You could be the most intelligent person in the world but not wise. You could make the most fantastic discoveries and have no wisdom. Wisdom goes beyond mere intelligence, it is a quality that knows right from wrong, good from bad, what is important from what is unimportant – what is the real and true basis of things.

Today in the Gospel we have heard of three wise men. They have qualities of intelligent men of their day, they study the stars. In the stars you could see many things, ways to travel, the change of the seasons, or relation of our planet to other planets in the wider universe. As we hear, they are excited by the site of a new planet, even as astronomers are today. So begins a search, to understand, to know what it means, to get to the bottom of the thing. Nothing will do except that they follow the thing right through, even although it means that they have many obstacles to overcome, they follow the light of the star; does their search not echo every search of every wise person for truth. Along the way they have to encounter a dishonest king, who is insecure, there cannot be two kings in one kingdom, even if it is just a child. As every political ruler does, he bends the rules, tells half truths to get his way. But they are wise men and see through his lies with the help of the angel’s message. Eventually they come to the end of their search and what do they find a baby lying in the manger. Their search for truth is not in complicated theories, in massive discoveries, important as these are. The key to every search for truth, for every long journey lies in this child, every truth begins from this child and every truth ends with this child, for he is the son of God come on earth.

Some people are like these wise men in the Gospel. They have to travel long roads, overcome many obstacles, encounter many difficulties to arrive at the point where they believe and find the truth, that this child of Bethlehem is the one who is at the heart of our deepest longings. Some have many questions, many doubts, many enquiries to make, many doors to knock. They too travel by the light of the star, they too believe that they will get there in the end. And yet for some people it is just a short step and they are there. The simplest person can be the wisest person. It’s a kind of irony. Maybe they are like the shepherds who only have to come down from the hills to the plain.

Its funny isn’t it. How difficult faith can be for some and how easy faith can be for others. Many like the wise men have to travel a long way, winding paths and steep hills to get there. Many don’t have to struggle with questions or doubts or difficulties.

What can we hope for 2008. We can hope that people find faith, those whose roads are long and difficult. And those that have faith, live it with depth and commitment.

Intercessions Solemnity of the Epiphany

Priest

On this day in which we recall the wise men who came in search for the new born King we pray that God will bless the journey that we make to know Him and to love Him.

Intercessor

For those who lead the Church on its journey, especially Pope Benedict, the Bishops and priests of the church - that they may be wise and gentle shepherds of the flock entrusted to their care.

Lord hear us

For all who search and feel that they have not been given the gift of faith, that they may see the grace of God that is present near them and in them.

Lord hear us

For children starting the journey of faith in baptism, that they may follow the signs and know God from the beginning of their life to the end.

Lord hear us

For all who feel themselves lost in the journey of their life - that they may follow the light provided by Christ, that once came as a star for men to follow and reach the place of his birth.

Lord hear us

For all who have reached the end of their journey, those who have died recently, Phil O’Donnell, and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.

Lord hear us

Priest

The light of a star led unknown wise men to the stable of Bethlehem. They travelled long and hard roads. Heavenly Father, bless the journey that we walk, the roads we take, the decisions we make – may we find you in the small things and the large things of our life and may we always be faithful and true to you. Top Comment on this Homily