By Patrick Wemambu
Regardless of its potency, there is not enough darkness in the world to extinguish the light of even a small candle – Christians have been assured. Giving the guarantee Sunday during Mass at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Umuochi-Utchi, Warri Diocese in Delta State, the Parish priest, Rev. Fr. Leonard Okoli, declared that since darkness cannot stop the light from shining, the benefits of the latter must be appreciated by those who walk in it.
“Darkness cannot overcome light. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it (John 1:5). This is fulfilled in the journey of the shepherds and wise men from the East (in today’s passage). The star of the newborn led them to Herod but temporarily disappeared. Then, it seemed like the star was lost, like darkness had overcome light,” Fr. Okoli explained.
He added; “Herod was in control and was at the brink of killing the child Jesus, but did not succeed because evil cannot prevail over good. Evil may manifest itself and be more pronounced than good, but in the final analysis, good must prevail over evil. The star reappeared and led the wise men to Jesus.”
Quoting Numbers 24:18, the preacher declared that Balaam prophesied that the rising star would dispossess Edom. In spite of the fact that Herod was an Edomite who was very uncomfortable hearing about the appearance of the star, his attempts to kill Jesus failed. He could not extinguish the light – the Church was told.
Espousing on the Epiphany of the Lord, the homilist stressed that it is basically a feast of celebration of how the glory of the Newborn King was manifested to the Gentiles. Maintaining that Christians celebrate the revelation of the Savior to the Gentiles which signals hope of redemption for the pagans, the reverend gentleman highlighted that it is not enough for Christ to be born. It is also important that He be made known.
The Holy Trinitarians were further enlightened that the Feast of the Epiphany celebrates the revelation of Jesus to a world already waiting to receive Him. And to the wise men already waiting to see Him.
Fr. Okoli offered a context and background to the gospel. Said he; “Balak the king of Moab asked a seer named Balaam to curse the Israelites. But instead, God made Balaam bless Israel saying ‘A star shall rise out of Jacob, and a sceptre spring from Israel.’ Balaam also prophesied that, ‘The sceptre shall not leave Judah, nor a ruler from his thigh, till he comes that is to be sent and he shall be the expectation of nations’ (Gen 49:10). These prophecies informed the wise men such that when they saw the star, they recognized its significance and followed it.”
Warning Christians not to be discouraged when surrounded by evil, misfortunes and disasters – the priest called on his listeners to be hopeful, because Jesus is present with them. With Him as their light, the darkness of evil cannot overcome them. Stressing the importance of remaining in the light, the preacher advised that it is to enable believers to receive Christ with all their hearts and live according to his commandments.
“St. Paul admonishes that ‘You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober’ (1 Thess. 5:5). Let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light. Let us conduct ourselves accordingly as children of the light. We should become shining lights for others to see. As we begin the new year 2025, let us trust in God’s protection and blessings,” Fr. Okoli concluded.
