𝗚𝗣𝗦—𝗚𝗢𝗗’𝗦 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 | 04January 2026 HOMILY w/ Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD | Epiphany of the Lord

Summary

This homily centers on the Gospel of Matthew's story of the Magi's visit to the newborn Jesus. It emphasizes the importance of seeking the Lord with dedication, adoring Him, and serving Him. The priest reflects on how the Magi's journey offers valuable lessons for the new year, encouraging the congregation to search for God, honor Him, and let go of distractions. He also calls for a renewed commitment to following God's plan for our lives, emphasizing trust, hope, and a deep relationship with the divine as we move into the year ahead.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Epiphany celebrates the moment when the three wise men (Magi) find and honor the newborn King, Jesus, recognizing his divinity and mission.
• 😀 The Gospel reading highlights King Herod’s fear and manipulation to find the newborn King, contrasting the Magi's sincere search for the Savior.
• 😀 The importance of humility and devotion is emphasized as the Magi bow down and offer gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ child.
• 😀 The message of Epiphany encourages us to actively seek God and be open to spiritual revelations, just as the Magi followed the star to find Jesus.
• 😀 The speaker encourages the congregation to recalibrate their spiritual focus and make a personal decision to search for God more earnestly in 2026.
• 😀 Reflection on daily distractions, like phone use and social media, which often divert attention from searching for God and spiritual growth.
• 😀 Emphasis on the necessity of quiet time and stillness in God's presence as a way to strengthen one's faith and connection with Him.
• 😀 The metaphor of the eagle is used to convey how believers should trust in God’s strength to lift them up, rather than struggling on their own.
• 😀 A challenge is posed to the congregation to leave behind past distractions or negative influences (symbolized by 'Herods') and follow a new path toward God.
• 😀 The speaker reminds the congregation that God has a beautiful plan for their lives, one that is meant to prosper them, giving them hope and a future.
• 😀 A call to action is made to ‘report for duty’ in the service of God in the coming year, offering prayers for protection, guidance, and kindness to others.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Epiphany in this context?

The Epiphany is celebrated as the moment when the Magi, or Wise Men, find and honor the newborn King, Jesus Christ. It marks the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah to the Gentiles, symbolizing the universal nature of Christ's message.

What does the speaker ask the congregation to do at the start of the new year?

The speaker encourages the congregation to report for duty to the Lord, saying 'Lord, reporting for duty for 2026.' This phrase emphasizes a renewed commitment to faith and a willingness to serve God in the coming year.

What lesson does the speaker draw from the actions of the Magi?

The speaker uses the Magi as an example of diligent search and devotion, urging the congregation to 'search for the Lord more' in the coming year, and to avoid distractions like negative news and trends.

How does the speaker suggest we can better 'search for the Lord'?

The speaker advises setting aside quiet time for reflection and prayer, using the metaphor of recalculating one's 'GPS' to focus on God's heart and presence, which can only be found in silence and stillness.

What does the speaker say about the importance of honoring Christ?

The speaker emphasizes that after finding the Lord, as the Magi did, we should spend time honoring Christ, making Him our God, and ensuring that we remove all other false idols or distractions in our lives.

What biblical verse does the speaker reference to highlight the importance of waiting on the Lord?

The speaker references Isaiah 40:31: 'They who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall rise up with wings like eagles.' This verse emphasizes the spiritual strength gained through patience and trust in God.

What is the meaning of 'waiting upon the Lord' according to the speaker?

Waiting upon the Lord means being still and patient in God's presence, allowing Him to guide us and reveal His will. It is about surrendering control and trusting that God will renew our strength and provide direction.

How does the metaphor of the eagle relate to the speaker's message?

The eagle metaphor illustrates the idea of trusting God to lift us up. Unlike ducks that frantically paddle, eagles rise above the clouds by letting the wind carry them. Similarly, we should trust God’s guidance rather than striving on our own strength.

What is the speaker’s advice about distractions in the modern world?

The speaker warns against distractions, such as social media, gossip, and negative news. He encourages the congregation to focus on spiritual growth and to actively seek God rather than being sidetracked by trivial things.

What is the central message of the sermon for the new year?

The central message is about recommitting to searching for the Lord, honoring Him, and serving Him with a clear focus on God's plan for our lives. The speaker calls for the congregation to start the year with renewed dedication, leaving behind distractions and pursuing God's purpose.