The Feast of the Epiphany

The Epiphany of the Lord Matthew 2, 1-12 Today’s Gospel says that the Magi were overjoyed at seeing the star. There were filled with joy because they saw the star. They followed the star, it lead them to Jesus. They had lost the star but when they found it again they were overjoyed. I want to be overjoyed once again. I want to see the star of Jesus in my life. The week before Christmas a group of parishioners were in the parking lot preparing the stage for our celebration of Christmas. They were building a manger and arranging the stage for Christmas eve. On the evening of December 21st as they were busily working Fr. Paul came into the parking lot and said, “Look the Christmas Star.” It was a true astrological phenomena, not really a star at all but rather two planets: Jupiter and Saturn. The two planets were in the same place in the sky so that they seemed like one bright star. Of course we know there was no star, in fact planets give no light, they merely reflect light. Whatever it was it was truly beautiful. It was a clear night and a perfect time to see the star. Fr. Paul said, “Christmas eve will be a perfect time to see the star again, especially at the evening masses.” We know that it wasn’t. Christmas eve was cold, windy and overcast, we even had a bit of rain. Not only were we not able to see the star the wind blew away our altar and at the last minute we had to move the mass into the more covered area of the school patio. The star was there but we weren’t able to see it. It seems to me that it is a good metaphor for this past year. We know that there are stars in heaven but we aren’t always able to see them. The wind and the rain and the clouds block our vision, we aren’t able to see the stars. This past year there have been many clouds: the election, economic problems, racial protests, fires and global warming and most especially the corona virus they have all blocked our vision. We haven’t been able to see clearly. We haven’t always been able to see Jesus, but we know that he is always there. I want to see the stars once again. I want to see the light of Jesus shining brightly in my life and in our world. I want to see Jesus. On the 21st Fr. Paul came and pointed out the star that otherwise we might have missed. In our world we need to folks to point out Jesus to others. We need people who are able to see Jesus in the midst of all these protests and strife. We need people who can see Jesus shining in the midst of sickness, disease and death. Where are we in this picture? We are the heirs of the Magi, gentiles who have been called to point out Jesus. How can we point out Jesus? How is it that we can help people to see Jesus? We can’t take away the clouds and rain that block the stars but we know they are there. We can’t take away the pain and strife, but we know that Jesus is there. Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphay. Epiphany means to shine upon, to make manifest or to make known. Epiphany isn’t just about the Magi, rather it is the many ways that Christ makes himself known to the world. We usually talk about the Epiphany of the Magi, Christ’s baptism, and the miracle of Cana. These were three initial epiphanies of Jesus to the world. But we know that Jesus continues to make himself known. How is it that Jesus is made manifest in the world today? The celebration of the sacraments. Every time a sacrament is celebrated Jesus is made manifest. Jesus is more fully present each and every time any one of the 7 sacraments is celebrated. It is a blessing that we are able to celebrate the Eucharist, Jesus is truly made manifest in this Eucharistic celebration. Here at St. Mary’s we continue to celebrate baptisms. When a child is baptized the light of Christ shines through the child, that is why they are given a candle lite from the easter Candle. Confession takes away sin and allows the light to shine more brightly. What a blessing it is to celebrate Marriage. We have many more funerals than marriages here at St. Mary’s but every time we celebrate the sacrament of marriage Jesus is saying that he chooses to have his light shine through marital love. Again, we might not have many marriage celebrations but think of the many married couples here, the combined years of married life, that is a whole lot of shining light. The proclamation of the word of God most especially the Gospel is also a manifestation. Again this happens at mass, but it also happens in our many blble studies and prayer groups at the parish. It happens when we open the word of God in our home. It is the light of Christ burning brightly. The corporal works of mercy. Every time we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, visit the sick, comfort the mourning it is the light of Christ burning brightly. Yes, at times it is hard to see the light but it is still our job to point it out. The magi pointed it out to Herod and he obviously had no interest in the light of the world, no, his interest was to blow it out. In the same way we don’t need to choose who is worthy to share the light of Christ but we need to point Christ out to all. 2020 was a most difficult year, but through the grace of God we have continued to point out Christ’ light. I am overjoyed to see the star shining brightly over St. Mary’s. Let us continue to point it out, not only to others but to one another.

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