HOM Epiphany 2021 B

At the first coming of Christ, a single star – perhaps a super-radiant angel or a host of angels that looked like a star – led three wise men – so called Magi who observed the night sky for heavenly signs -- to behold a newborn King in a manger. They themselves may have been territorial kings or the representatives of the King of Persia. By the grace of the Holy Spirit and the written Word of God, which they had studied, they understood that Jesus was the King of Kings, and came to pay Him homage with fitting gifts of gold for His Kingship, frankincense for His divinity, and myrrh for His priestly sacrifice-to-come. This is what we recall and celebrate today on this Feast of the Epiphany.

Let us also recall that at about the same time some shepherds in fields near Bethlehem were tending their flocks at night because it was the birthing time for the Passover lambs of sacrifice. They were greeted by an angel who announced the birth of the Lamb of God – the Messiah and Lord. The angel provided a sign for them – they would find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. A multitude of the heavenly host then appeared and sang God’s praises for the good news of birth of the Man’s Savior. So, the shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem to behold Him.

Whatever one’s state in life from the loftiest to the lowliest and everything in between, God provides signs that leads every person to Him – to His Son. We must be prayerfully attentive and watch for them – signs that will also draw us closer to Him – to be conformed to Him.

For faithful Catholics, just a sign was given to the Church by the Holy Spirit through the Second Vatican Council. It has gone largely unnoticed or not fully understood and certainly not acted upon as was the Star for the Magi and the message of the Heavenly host for the shepherds. They acted upon them immediately, but this sign given by the Second Vatican Council has yet to be acted upon by the all the faithful. The sign I speak of are these words from the document Sacrosanctum Concilium, The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, n. 48 where it states: “offering the Immaculate Victim, not only through the hands of the priest, but also with him, (the faithful) should learn also to offer themselves.”

That remains a clarion call for the Bride of Christ to make ready for the return of her Bridegroom – a call to consummate oneness with Christ on the Cross in His self-offering to the Father for the salvation of all the willing. Only when this sign is acted upon by all the faithful can Jesus’ saving work be brought to completion, and only when the Church acts on this will His Epiphany come to fullness.

In the Old Testament book of Daniel (12: 3), it is written: “But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.”

The context for this statement is the prophet Daniel’s recounting of an apocalyptic vision of the end time which he describes as a time “unsurpassed in distress” (12:1) when “many shall fall away and evil shall increase” (12:4).

What an angelic star and angels did at the first coming of Jesus, faithful Catholics must do for His return. We must lead the many to justice – to Christ – by shining brightly like the splendor of the firmament – the stars of heaven – resplendent with faith, hope, and love. Many shall fall away, Daniel prophesied, but also “many shall be refined, purified, and tested”. We are called to be among those who persevere and are perfected in His ways – those who are wise like the parable virgins with lamps lighted, ready for the Bridegroom’s appearance.

By adoring Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, by receiving His Body and Blood and offering Him the gift of ourselves we act wisely and lead many to Him – especially those for whom we offer ourselves.

The Most Blessed Virgin Mary remains the wisest of virgins. Her lamp burns brightly – with love beyond all telling she longed for the Savior. A superabundance of grace (of fuel oil) fills her heart and overflows continuously to her children. She is able to help us and to help us help others live in communion with Her Son.

St. Florian Church is lit through the night like a guiding star. Our digitally lighted sign announces that it is open for prayer and adoration 24/7. Inside under the gaze of Mary and countless angels sinners all and would-be saints are welcomed to pay homage, and to find mercy and peace and refreshment in His abiding Presence.

Like the Magi, all return home by another route – enlightened, changed by their visit of homage, readied to more fully receive and reciprocate His love, to live in Him and for Him, and to lay down their lives so that others do the same. Their hunger for oneness with Him in the Most Blessed Sacrament increases.

Brothers and sisters, we are like the Magi and the shepherds, like the guiding star and the heavenly host, if we come to adore Jesus in the Tabernacle and act on the sign that we are to offer ourselves to Him and with Him in Holy Communion to the Father for the salvation of all. You know the words of Eucharistic Self-Offering for doing this. Pray them silently and sincerely at Holy Communion if you wish: I AM ALL YOURS O MOST LOVING JESUS THROUGH MARY YOUR MOTHER.