Epiphany Homily
“The visitors to the stable in Bethlehem, mentioned in Scripture, are a surprising bunch. The first are the Shepherds, the outsiders of Jewish society. Due to their working hours, they could not join in the regular worship expected for a faithful Jew. Shepherds tended to be the rough and ready of society. They were required to fight off predators, both human robbers and wild animals, including wolves.
“Jesus is revealed first to the outsiders of his home society. The Shepherds are drawn to the Lord by his light that shone with the Angels in the field.
“The next visitors to the stable are the Magi, also outsiders, the foreigners. We know little about these men. It would appear they travelled from Babylon, modern day southern Iraq or possibly from Persia, further afield. They most likely were scholars who studied the stars and other rudimentary sciences and near eastern religions. It is not surprising they would be aware of the promise of the Messiah as there was an established Jewish diaspora in that part of the world. Jews had lived in Babylon for centuries.
“The long journey they took was an established trade route from Babylon to Judea. The distance, an astonishing 500-600 miles, takes over 30 days.
“Whatever their background the Magi are also drawn to Jesus by His light, the new shining star that guided them to Bethlehem.
“Today’s feast reminds us that Jesus is born for all humanity. The light of Christ is for all. Not just the Jewish society but to all the Gentiles too. As St. Paul reflects in his Letter to the Ephesians, “this mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.”
“The wise men stand for us all, no matter our nationality, Christ is born for us all. Christ is revealed to us all. Epiphany means revelation, to show. Jesus is revealed to us all, to the whole of humanity to show us God’s closeness and love. This Solemnity is a celebration of our common humanity, loved by God. We pray all people will celebrate and respect their common humanity and live in peace and service.
“As a sign of respect to the Newborn King, the Magi offer three gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh. The symbolism is important.
“Gold represents Jesus’ kingship and divinity, acknowledging His authority and divine nature. It symbolises purity and incorruptibility, reflecting Jesus’ eternal reign.
“Frankincense symbolises holiness and righteousness, representing Jesus’ willingness to become a sacrifice, akin to a burnt offering, just as we use incense at Mass.
“Myrrh represents Jesus’ suffering and death, foreshadowing His crucifixion and resurrection, the reality that God is present in all aspects of our lives. He is particularly close in the difficulties and pains of life.
“These gifts not only honor Jesus but also serve as a reminder of His mission and the significance of His birth for the world. The gifts are also a reminder to us of our call to offer the Lord our gifts. Our gold, frankincense and myrrh. Spiritual gifts, yes, but spiritual gifts put into practice at service of the Lord and His people. The gifts the Lord seeks are more than nice ideas or motives; they need to change our lives and the lives of others.
“Dear friends, may we offer our gold, always showing dignity to the Lord, our fear of Him, which is our respect for the holiness, the otherness of God. May we show this in our spoken words and in our actions.
“Dear friends, may we offer our frankincense, our prayer and worship of the Lord. May we offer our time and attention to the Lord in prayer and worship. May we be wise, knowing how much joy this offering will give us.
“Dear friends, may we offer our myrrh, to offer sacrifice in serving the Lord and his people. May we find the joy in serving others, find joy in sacrificing our will to the Lord’s will. May we see the Lord in those who suffer. May we be willing to die a little to self to serve others.
“The Magi were wise to discern God’s holy will and were wise in rejecting Herod’s evil will. May we follow their example and discern God’s will and reject the evil that our world often offers us.
“Today’s Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord coincides with the closing of the Holy Doors that have marked this Jubilee Year focusing on being pilgrims of hope.
“A prayerful thank you to all the clergy and all the volunteers who have welcomed pilgrims to the Holy Doors at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at St. Joseph’s, Hartlepool.
“I know from many comments and letters how people have been touched by God’s grace by entering the House of God through the threshold of the Holy Doors. The simple symbolism is profound. God welcomes us, the doors of His grace are open to us. The Holy Year was a celebration of the intensity of God’s love, His forgiveness, His mercy.
“The Lord is our hope. Our one true hope. Our everlasting hope and as Pope Francis reminded us, the Lord is our hope that never disappoints.
“The 2025 Jubilee has been a noticeable event in the recent history of the Church, having unfolded under two pontificates. It has been a witness to the continuity of the
“Church, which is never interrupted. The Lord does not abandon his Church, and today he guides her through Pope Leo XIV and we ask the Lord’s blessing on his ministry. We also commend Pope Francis, who instituted this Holy Year, to the Lord. May he rest in peace.
“Today we see the Holy Doors close, but the door that truly matters is the door of the heart. The Holy Year has invited us to see ourselves as the Holy Doors through which others may encounter the Lord.
“Dear friends, be the open doors. Be open by listening to the word of God, welcoming your neighbour, and offering forgiveness and service to others. Entering through the Holy Door was a gift; becoming doors open to others is now our mission. Passing through the Holy Door becomes an invitation to return to the world, bearing witness in everyday life to the gift of hope we have received.
“Pope Leo teaches us that Christian hope “is not evasion but decision,” a hope that translates into love put into practice, even in the midst of difficulties, and that inspires believers to give their lives for others. Christian hope is the gold, frankincense and myrrh we are called to offer the Lord.
“We are called to be the light of Christ that attracted both the shepherds and the Magi to the stable.
“Dear friends, as the Holy Door closes may the door of faith, charity and hope remain open in our hearts. May the door of mission remain open, because our world needs Christ. It needs you and me to be the light of Christ.
“May the Lord bless our Diocese. Amen.”