The Epiphany of the Lord
Jesus is the fulfillment to the ancient longing for a Messiah, a Savior, a King of cosmic proportions: “Every nation on earth will adore you Lord, every nation on earth will adore you, Lord!” In 1960 the musical “Camelot” was produced, based on a 1958 novel, “The Once & Future King.” One of the songs in the musical was “Camelot”, and the final stanza is: “… there’s simply not A more congenial spot, For happily-ever-aftering, Than here in Camelot.” That song tries to answer our deepest longings, to be loved and to live happily ever after.
The Epiphany is the real answer to our deepest longings and desires, as we celebrate the Manifestation of the Lord, The Epiphany of the Lord. Let’s take a few minutes to reflect on “The three gifts of the magi [they] are a Gospel unto themselves: gold, the precious basis of the world’s economies; frankincense, the fragrant resin burned in the temple as an offering of prayer; myrrh, the expensive plant extract used as medicine & for the embalming of royalty.” [Connections, 1/03/2021]
The Magi were seeking the Way, the Truth and the Life. They found the answer in Jesus, the baby in a manger. They represent the journey, the journey that each of us takes.
The Magi sought and found the answer to life’s most fundamental question, Why am I here? The Magi, well educated, sophisticated & highly cultured YET, they prostrated/humbled themselves before the baby. We are here to know, love and serve God in this world so we can be with the Lord in the next world.
The Magi submitted their egos, their wills desires to God’s Will, and we should do the same. GOOD is not relative to our personal ideas/tastes, BUT it is woven into the fabric of life by God, by God Who is the GOOD. Jesus the Way, the Truth and the Life; He gave us the Beatitudes so we could live the Good. “… Christ did not arrive to erase our troubles but to join us in them, to be a quiet light in our darkness….” [Sunday Website, John Foley, SJ 1/03/2021]
Christ is our LIGHT in the darkness of violence, economic problems, moral decline, death and all of life’s crosses. Christ is our LIGHT in the bright spots of our lives: a new life, a job, a vaccine, a recovery, a helping hand, all of life’s joys. There are many stars in our world, what star do you want to emulate?
What star are you following? Saint Teresa of Calcutta asked, “Will you collaborate with God so He can use you to do His work here on earth?”
Take heart because on day “Every nation on earth will adore you Lord, every nation on earth will adore you, Lord!” For a few minutes think about who you adore, love and follow.
May God Be Praised!
The image is available at the Salesian Shop https://www.salesianshop.com/the-sacred-artwork-of-bro-mickey-mcgrath/
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