epiphany

Wednesday, January 6

Opening Prayer: Father of light, unchanging God, today you reveal to men of faith the resplendent fact of the Word made flesh.  Your light is strong, Your love is near; draw us beyond the limits which this world imposes, to the life where Your Spirit makes all life complete.  We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. ~The New Saint Joseph Sunday Missal

Scripture: Matthew 2:9-12

Journal: Put yourself in the place of the Magi today.  What do you see?  What do you hear?  What captures your heart?  What treasures will you offer to Jesus?

Reflection:

 

     Today is the Feast of the Epiphany.  The word epiphany comes from the Greek word epiphancia, which can be translated both as coming and as manifestation (or appearing).  While Christmas is the season that celebrates the event of Christ's coming in the incarnation, Epiphany celebrates the manifestation(s) of that coming.  Thus, Epiphany is the time in the church calendar where we celebrate, and participate in, seeing the Christ.  It is a time in which we must pay special attention; when we must keep our eyes open for the ways and the places Jesus is revealed, both to us and in us.  It is a season of seeing and recognizing.
     The scriptural focus for the Feast of the Epiphany is the coming of the wise men to see the newborn King (Matthew 2:1-12).  It is a passage about seeing—seeing a star, seeing the Child, seeing the glory of God. (Watch and Wait by Jim Branch)

Prayer

Closing Prayer: Father, you revealed your Son to the nations by the guidance of a star.
Lead us to your glory in heaven by the light of faith.  We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen. ~The New Saint Joseph Sunday Missal