Homily: Monday after Epiphany - A light in the darkness

“The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death, light has arisen.”

Despite the great Christian joy of Christmas, the Christmas season can be a time of great darkness: winter depression grows, loneliness is deeply felt, grief often resurfaces.   Family breakdowns intensify at Christmas.  “How things are” is found to be very far from “how things should be.”    

Yet, at this very time, when darkness overshadows so much, the true Hope of the World is proclaimed, that Christ is the light shines in the darkness. 
Yesterday, we celebrated the Epiphany of the Lord, the revelation, the shining forth of Jesus as savior of the world. 

And on this Monday after Epiphany, the passage of Matthew Gospel describes Jesus starting his mission in Galilee.  It's another 'epiphany,' or 'shining forth,' or 'manifestation' of Jesus as the light that shines in the darkness.  Jesus preaches and teaches amongst those dwelling in darkness, and he sends his Church to do the same. 

He calls those in darkness to the light of repentance and discipleship.  Repentance and discipleship are the remedy for the darkness of the season, because Christ is the remedy for the darkness of the season.  In the light of Christ our false hopes and the empty promises of the busyness and materialism of secular Christmas are exposed as illusions, and the true path, to happiness, Christian discipleship, is illuminated.

The Gospel also tells us that the sick were brought to him.  If there is anything we still need to repent of, the Holy Spirit works to bring us to repentance and Jesus’s divine mercy.  But also, the Holy Spirit works to use as instruments to bring the sick in our family and in our community to Jesus’ divine mercy, through our words, example, and actions.

May we be docile and obedient to all the Lord asks of us today, that we might be witnesses of his light, that his light may continue to shine on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.