Reflection for the Epiphany- January 5, 2020

Written on: January 2, 2020

Reflection for Epiphany of the Lord
January 5, 2020
Sister Mary Joan Elias, GNSH

1st Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
Responsorial Psalm: 72: 1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13
2nd Reading: Ephesians 3: 2-3a, 5-6
Gospel: Matthew 2: 1-12

“WE SAW HIS STAR AT ITS RISING AND HAVE COME TO DO HIM HOMAGE”

Joyce Rupp refers to the Epiphany and the birth of Jesus as the “coming of the ‘Christ Star’ into the world and the Christ Star as this irresistible love in us, this Radiant Goodness which is at the core of our souls.” If we spend time pondering this profound statement, it is amazing, awesome and such a great challenge.  For we cannot merely possess this, we are compelled to radiate that love and goodness to others.  We often look for big revelations, when, in reality, our “Christ Star” can be found in the ordinary encounters of everyday life – a smile, a cheerful greeting, the touch of a hand, a kind word or reaching out to help in whatever way we are able.

Have you ever been totally thunderstruck while walking through a giant redwood forest, or staring at a gloriously beautiful sunset or even strolling along a simple garden path strewn with colorful wildflowers? Imagine gazing at the sky and finding among the billions of heavenly bodies one brilliant star, unlike any other which could lead you to Jesus – Savior -the newborn King of the Jews!

It was that single star that led the Magi. These majestic men had the faith to follow this one bright “Christ Star.”  Thus, was the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles in the person of the Magi. We tend to glamorize the travels of the Magi who came from the east. Although we don’t know the country of origin from which they came, many scholars assume it could have been Saudi Arabia or Syria or Iran -a very long trip through desert and mountainous country on the back of a camel, enduring many hardships along the way. This trek was fueled by blind faith and deep joy. Each day through prayer and our encounters with God’s people we find and fuel the same faith, wisdom and truth. The heavens spoke to the Magi, the hardships made them stronger and the “Christ Star” gave them courage and grace.

Each one of us is that star and the world needs us, even with our limitations, to send a message of hope, of love and faith.

BLESSING FOR ALL CREATION

The Work of Your Hands. By: Diana Macalintal 

God of all creation.

Each morning you send the sun from the East to bring a new day to birth, you call the gentle South wind to cool our days and refresh our lives;

each night the sun sets in the West to bring us the gift of rest and renewal and you summon the great North wind to clothe the mountaintops in snow and shining splendor.

 Send your Holy Spirit over this sacred land we call home, that the earth may be radiant with your glory through the care of your people.

From East to West and North to South, may your blessing be upon every living thing you have created,

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Featured image courtesy of Mike Setchell/Unsplash

This entry was posted in From our Sisters and tagged: blind faith, Christ, Christ star, creation, Earth, East, Epiphany, gentiles, Iran, joy, Joyce Rupp, Magi, majestic men, North, renewal, Saudi Arabia, Savior, South, star, Syria, West