Reveal ‘the light’

What is it about this star that these three wise men from faraway lands ‘see’?  Is it something about its rays? Is it its brightness? We know that the magi were astrologers (people who studied the cosmos).  What signs did they ‘read’ in its  strange appearance?

In the ancient world, it was believed that for every child who is born there is a star placed in the heavens, that tells one story/ life. What did this star ‘reveal’ about this newborn child that ‘moved ‘them to seek and find this child?
 
There are things we ‘see’ that can leave a deep mark or impression on us. Certain things that can ‘open’ our eyes, ‘light a bulb (as we say), but more, give us an deep insight or foresight, even make us change (make a judgment go for something or not), a new understanding, a change of behavior…(Try to think of the last time, something was revealed to you because of what you saw.)
 
In my former parish there is a couple (Mario & Ann) this year celebrating 78 years in marriage! Every Sunday morning (snow or rain) at the 8am Mass, Mario pulls up right at the door, opens his car up, gets the wheel chair, places his wife and wheels her to Mass. Mario refuses help, he says it is his duty to take care of her because she took care of him. The dedication of this couple is something to behold. Countless people told me of what they see in him! It is a powerful example of loyalty to married life! Mario unknowingly ‘reveals’ something special that changes those around them.
 
My vocational journey too is a fruit of what I saw at a very young age. I was in high school seminary in Uganda. There was a visiting missionary priest who was to give us a talk. We were told he worked as a ‘nuncio’ (the Pope’s representative) in Macao, China. I asked myself, an Ugandan Priest working in Macau!!! He spoke with great calm and peace, very articulate, but joyful about his missionary life. I remember something struck me after the talk (I want to be like him). From that moment, I wanted deep inside me to become a priest.
 
The word epiphany means: manifestation, revelation. Today we gather to celebrate the Child, the newborn child, who is ‘revealed’ to all nations as the light of the world.  He is God-with-us, who is for all the source of life. Following his way, his lifestyle will bring us to true fulfillment. He leads us to heaven. Jesus attracts all who seek him with a sincere heart. Until we find God and live like him, our hearts and lives will be restless. 
 
We are challenged as those who have come to know Jesus, to go out and ‘reveal’ his light to the world by the way we live our lives. That all the nations on earth will come and adore him , as our Responsorial Psalm says. We are people on a mission! The Gospel ‘summons’ all who listen to it to go out and spread it, best of all with our actions.
 
So, how will you communicate Christ to others? What is it about Christ that others ‘see’ in you? Share the good news!  Until Christians are bold enough to share, communicate the Gospel, Jesus Christ remains just a nice guy; our going to church might be just done out of routine, yet we are called for more. The world needs God: the world needs Christians who are bold and reveal the light/values of how to live according to God’s way.
 
What gets in the way of ‘revealing’ the light?  It is the ‘Herod’ in us. Herod was a brilliant strategist, a shrewd king, talented visionary, the ‘builder’ of the Jewish nation and defender of Jewishness. But Herod has an evil side. He was ruthless, cold, very insecure and it was all about him. In fact, when the magi avoid him, he orders the killing of all young male children in the kingdom.
 
Self-centeredness and the loathing of human power will always be contrary to ‘the light’. We all have a ‘Herod’ in us that we must tame or undo.
 
Let us watch, Jesus grows. Let's watch and listen how he relates to others, to sinners like ourselves, to the religious like the scribes, to the young people, to the poor, to his enemies. Let us be attentive to how he makes hard decisions and imitate him. It might be ‘the light’ that will transform a person next to you.

Reveal the light of Christ!

-Fr. Anthony
 

LISTEN HERE to the Audio Recordings of the Readings of Sunday, January 2nd 2022, The Epiphany of the Lord.

SELECT HERE for the Readings of Sunday, January 2nd 2022, The Epiphany of the Lord.

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