Homily — Epiphany (School Mass)

Today we are celebrating Epiphany — and that’s a long word, but it means something very simple. It means “showing”.

Epiphany is the day Christians believe that God showed Himself
not just to one group of people,
but to everyone.

Have you ever been trying to find your way somewhere
and you were glad when you saw a sign, or a light,
or someone pointing the way?

That’s what today’s gospel is about.

The Bible tells us about some wise men — the Magi.

They weren’t from the same country.
They didn’t speak the same language.
They didn’t believe the same things.

But they all saw a star.

And instead of ignoring it, they followed it.

The star led them to Jesus.

Christians believe that this child is not just important,
but that He is God’s Son,
sent to show us how to live
and to bring God close to us.

That tells us something important.

Christians believe that God does not hide Himself away.
He gives signs.
He gives light.
He helps people find their way.

And that light is not just for “church people”. It’s for everyone.

Children.
Teachers.
Parents.
People who believe a lot.
People who aren’t sure.

In the story, when the wise men find Jesus, they don’t make a speech.

They don’t argue.

They stop, and they pay attention. And that’s something we can all do — even for a moment.

That’s what Epiphany invites us to do.

To stop for a moment.
To notice what really matters.

And that matters here, in a school, just as much as it does anywhere else.

Because school isn’t only about learning facts.

It’s about learning how to live with other people.

How to be kind.
How to tell the truth.
How to say sorry.
How to include someone who feels left out.

Christians believe that Jesus shows us what that kind of life looks like
because He comes from God and leads us back to God.

And there’s one last detail in the story.

After the wise men met Jesus,
they went home a different way.

That doesn’t just mean a different road.

It means they were changed.

Seeing something good often changes us.

So today, Epiphany leaves us with a simple thought:

Look for the light.
Follow what is good.
And let it change the way you live.