CHRISTMAS EVE HOMILY – YEAR B
Our Identity in Jesus
(Isaiah 9:2-4, 6-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-16)
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One of the reasons for the abiding impact of the animated movie Kung Fu Panda is that it addresses some of the perennial and pertinent themes of human existence, such as good versus evil, and the question of one’s personal identity. In this movie, Panda is driven to unravel the mystery, at all costs, of what happened to him and his parents when he was a child. What drives him is the question of his identity.
The readings today invite us to celebrate not only the identity of Jesus, but also, our identity as his followers, as Christians, called to be transformed more and more into his likeness.
Turning to the Gospel, we see some all-too-common hubris or false pride. Caesar Augustus wants to take a census of the whole world, as if it belonged to him. What a contrast from the humble love of God demonstrated in the Christ child, who was rejected and marginalized at birth and at his death. He was placed in a manger that links with the wood of the cross, and also symbolizes that he would be food for the world. What a contrast his birth is from futile census of the whole world that would be just numbers on parchment for the purpose of enabling Roman oppression of the poor.
The shepherds, the first to hear the good news, are also marginalized, on the periphery, looked down upon, working all night and considered unclean because they could never keep the rigorous washing rituals of the Pharisees. They symbolize that, unlike Roman oppression, God’s love in Jesus sets us free and reaches out to the poor, the lowly, the unclean. It’s also significant that the angels’ message was one of joy for all peoples. Again, the whole world is mentioned, so this is a cosmic event.
Within this context of identifying and enumerating people, the identity of Jesus then begins to emerge. Joseph is a descendant of David, as is Jesus. Even the city is the city of David. It is Isaiah, however, who, thousands of years earlier, provides us with a most striking identity of this child as Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace, leaving us wondering how could the Jewish scholars and religious leaders have missed it. One can only conclude that they missed it because like Caesar Augustus, they were too attached to the things of this world, money, fame and power, to be able to accept such a humble gift – a divine child who came into our world shockingly poor, humble and powerless.
Isaiah adds that this child would be a great light that shines in and vanquishes the dark, that overcomes death, that takes away the yoke of addiction, breaks the bar of oppression, and removes the rod of violence. This is as far above what Caesar Augustus was trying to do as is the sun to a flashlight.
We are all too familiar with the darkness that still exists and clings to our world: The darkness of addiction, of sin, thousands of people displaced by violence, the atrocities of terrorist groups, the all too prevalent corruption, racism, homelessness, sexual assaults, harassment and bullying, let alone a raging pandemic.
Once I was preparing to conduct a retreat on addictions awareness, when one of the participants registered called to say she could not attend as she was with her niece who was dying. A bright, intelligent, gifted young woman, her addiction to alcohol was killing her. Such is the darkness in our world.
St Paul, in his letter to Titus, put flesh to this Good News of the birth of Jesus among us. That grace, the gentle power of God, has appeared, bringing salvation to us, Paul states. That salvation is the peace, joy and justice of the Holy Spirit, and an intimate relationship with God. The darkness has been overcome. To share in the light of Christ, Paul proclaims, all we have to do is to repent and renounce our evil ways. We are to let go of impiety and worldly passion. We are to lead holy lives, to take on self-control, uprightness, godliness. We are to wait, to keep vigil, for hope and glory of Jesus.
Paul then puts the icing on the identity of Jesus. He is our great God and Saviour who came to redeem us from iniquity and purify for himself a people. That is the two-fold mission of Jesus. He came to redeem us, to forgive us, and to purify us, to heal us and make us whole.
Knowing the identity and role of Jesus helps us to know our own identity and role. We are baptized into Jesus Christ; we are being moulded little by little into his likeness; we have been set free to love and to live life to the full.
What Jesus left us until he comes again is the Eucharist, which he asked us celebrate in his memory. Whatever the darkness in our own lives, the infidelities and sins, this is our great act of fidelity. We have been doing this for over two thousand years, and in so doing, we continue to spread the light of Christ that alone can overcome the darkness in our world, including the darkness of this terrible pandemic.
So, as we celebrate this Christmas Eucharist, let us celebrate not only the identity of Jesus, but also our identity as his followers, as Christians, called to be transformed more and more into his likeness, and to see his presence in our own darkness and that of the world.
