Weekly Reflection 1/6/19
REFLECTION
Epiphany of the Lord
January 5-6, 2019
Have you ever been part of a joyful yet humbling and overwhelming experience? For me, it was the births of my children. The oldest, Erin, was born on a sweltering August afternoon after my wife had endured a long labor. As new parents, Kim and I were exhausted, and scared to be followed by relief and exhilaration. My middle child, Conor, was born two months after my father died and emotions ran the gambit from numbness to tears. My youngest, Shannon was born on a beautiful, snowy January day. There was a calming peacefulness associated with her birth. Yet in each birth there was a sense of being witness to something greater than yourself. I could feel the hand of God reach down and touch our human existence.
That is the essence of the Epiphany of the Lord. It is what motivated the Wise Men to leave their homes in the East. It is what compelled the Magi to continue to follow the star despite the difficult and danger of the quest. It is what drove the Kings to their knees as they prostrated themselves before the Christ Child and paid homage. They saw in this baby in Bethlehem the face of God.
What star do we follow? How far will we journey to find God? To whom or what do we pay homage?
If it is not Christ, then we are on the wrong road. Did you see the star but you were too comfortable or afraid to act? Perhaps you began your travels but became diverted by the world’s distractions. Maybe something happened in your life that caused you to abandon your faith? Or maybe you are just lost?
Today’s Gospel message calls us again to focus on the star. Remember that moment when we felt God’s overwhelming presence in our life. It may have been as dramatic as the birth of a child or as simple as recognizing Christ’s presence in your daily routine. Whichever it may be for you, let us come before the Lord, do Him homage and give to Him our lives and our treasures.
– Patrick J. Perkins