Happy New Year. Today is the feast of the Epiphany.
The feast of the Epiphany is all about God breaking into our world in a human, physical way in the person of Jesus Christ. We hear about the Magi searching for, and then finding the God who pitched His tent with us as the original Greek John’s Gospel was written in suggests.
This historical event, the birth of Jesus and the encounter the Magi had with Him, aren’t just things that happened in the past. They are things that are made real for us, now, as we encounter Jesus in His Church through the sacraments.
Every time we receive the Eucharist, receive absolution in Reconciliation, and participate in the sacramental life of the Church, we encounter Jesus. That physical encounter is especially the case in the Eucharist.
The question really is how are we changed by these encounters. In the Gospel account of the Magi we hear that afterwards they “departed for their country by another way” due to the warning in a dream not to return to Herod. The great Bishop Fulton Sheen commented that they went another way also because no one encounters Christ and leaves as they came.
Jesus is still breaking into our world and our hearts, if we let Him. So, as we encounter Christ in His Church let’s think about how we’ve changed and how we need to change. That’s a great topic for prayer, especially as we’re preparing to receive the Eucharist.
Connie and I went to Pasadena for the Rose Parade this past week. It was great and I highly recommend it. On the plane ride back yesterday (Saturday) I was getting caught up on email and came across this reflection on today’s feast: Scripture with Father John Kartje I hope you enjoy it.
That’s it for now. Thanks for reading.
I hope you have a great week.
Peace, Bob
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