Reverend Larry Silva, Bishop | Diocese of Honolulu

Pope Francis delivered a homily on the Feast of the Epiphany, marking the beginning of the Jubilee Year. He spoke about the significance of this feast as an opportunity to reflect on being a light to others throughout the year. The Pope highlighted that "the Epiphany (which means to 'manifest or reveal') is an action" and called for people to be "living signs of hope," sharing Christ's guiding light in their communities worldwide.

Pope Francis emphasized that God's light invites individuals to give of themselves for one another, becoming symbols of hope even in challenging times. He stated that everyone is called to be "bright lights, signs of hope," leading others to experience God's love.

The Pope also noted that this light is universal and visible for all people, explaining how the Nativity scene represents diverse ages and races, reflecting humanity's diversity. According to him, "the star shines universally," breaking barriers and bringing hope even to marginalized communities.

He described the star as a symbol pointing towards God and unity among humanity's diverse members. The Jubilee starlight encourages believers on an internal journey to live faith through hopeful actions in families, communities, and globally.

In Hawaii, the Diocese Office for Social Ministry shared a story illustrating this spirit through its latest "Starlight Starbright" video. The video highlights a Christmas reunion between incarcerated women and their children and caregivers. Bishop Larry Silva described it as a gift for all involved.

The Diocese Office invites viewers to watch this message online at www.officeforsocialministry.org. It aims to inspire reflections on living as Pilgrims of Hope during this Jubilee Year by sharing stories from social ministries in Hawaii and beyond.