Thursday, January 17, 2019

Be thankful for the greatest gift: Jesus; Feast of the Epiphany, 1/17/19



Today we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord.  This is a sign that our Christmas season will soon be coming to an end. Many of us have given and received gifts to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Think about what’s the best gift that you received this Christmas.  Was it a toy, video game, clothing or jewelry?  All of these gifts are well and good, but I think the greatest gift we’ve received is God humbling himself to become one of us, being born as a little baby to Mary and his step-father Joseph.  He came to give us the greatest gift of all, Eternal life, to those who come to faith in him. The Magi we hear about today give us an example of this faith and giving Jesus their best gifts.

The Magi were a priestly people who were thought to have supernatural knowledge by interpreting the stars.   They were in search of something greater.  The Magi, who were Gentiles, people outside of the Jewish faith, were led by the star to Jerusalem to find a newborn king of the Jews.  Jews, to find Jesus. When King Herod, the King of the Jews, heard this, it was a threat to his power.  In defense, he turned to the scribes and priests to determine where the Messiah would be born.  He told the magi to go to Bethlehem, so they could lead Herod to the new king so he could pay homage.  But in reality wanted to harm him.  It’s interesting that the people far from God were the ones to seek out Jesus, but those close to God wanted to do him harm.  The star directing the Magi to find the newborn king was a sign that Jesus came for all people.  

The Magi traveled to Bethlehem and were led by the star directly to the place where Jesus was.   The was the divine action of God seeking out the Magi.  When the Magi encountered Jesus they prostrated in homage before him.  Prostrating is an action of humility, by lying face down on the ground in reverence. There must have been something very powerful in the presence of Jesus that overcame the Magi to evoke such an action.  These Magi saw an ordinary little baby with his parents in very humble surroundings, but by faith they were compelled to worship him as a divine king.   This gift of faith led them to give Jesus their best gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  After this encounter they were warned not to return to Herod. Their faith in Jesus opened the eyes of their heart, and they were lead to go another way to proclaim the newborn Messiah to the Gentiles.  

Our response to Jesus, can be like the Magi, through our faith in him as our Lord and Savior.   We encounter Jesus each time we come to Mass.  We see ordinary bread and wine.   But, in faith we believe that Jesus’ Real Presence is contained in the Eucharist.   Like the Magi, Jesus seeks us out, to be with us.  He comes in the Eucharist so we can receive him as food to nourish us spiritually.  Like the Magi, we show our reverence bowing to receive him.   In faith we give Jesus our gifts of praise and thanksgiving after receiving him.

Our Catholic faith professes that Jesus is our Lord and Savior.  He truly came in time to become one of us, and offered his life in sacrifice to give us eternal life.   He continues to be with us through his Real Presence in the Eucharist.   Like the star that guided the Magi, we have a light in every Catholic Church that guides us to Jesus. The tabernacle light perpetually burns as a sign of Christ’s presence.   We can come and be present with the Lord at almost any time by seeking out that light and kneeling in humble adoration.

There are some people, even many Catholics, who may struggle with faith in Jesus as our Savior and his Real Presence in the Eucharist.   Many of us have family or friends that may have celebrated Christmas, but really don’t understand greatest gift: Jesus becoming one of us and redeeming us for Eternal Life.  They may come to Mass only once or twice a year, but have not developed their faith in Jesus and the gift he has given us in the Church and Sacraments. If you know of anyone like this, please consider inviting them grow in their faith by attending the upcoming Bishop Barron’s series on Mass or the Men’s and Women’s Welcome retreats.   Both of these are great opportunities to develop and strengthen their faith in Jesus.

So as the Christmas season comes to a conclusion let’s remember to be thankful for greatest gift we’ve received, the gift of Jesus, and to share that gift with others to bring them the Light of faith.  



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