LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
January 6, 2008
Jn 1:1-18

The story of the Epiphany captures the imagination with its rich mixture of mystery and intrigue. Into the Holy Family’s impoverished and temporary shelter come three wise men from the East dressed in majestic robes and bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They had traveled from the unknown lands following a star and had experienced the deviousness of King Herod before they were filled with delight in finding the new-born child. After praying homage they left for home by a different route.

The story of the Magi is so colorful we may overlook its significance and fail to see its deeper meaning. The wise men represent ALL of us. They journey through desert and mountain following a STAR reflects our search for purpose and meaning in life, which is not possible unless we are guided by faith which enables us to see beneath the surface of appearances. At the center of it all is the innocence of the new-born child, surrounded by adoration, wonder and mystery, who is able to stir the emotions, imagination and wills of all those drawn into its presence. The story is always relevant because God sees to it that people who really search will find him. He will shed light into our darkness and make us new.

As the Christmas season draws to a close with faded holly and sagging decorations, the Epiphany reminds us of our journey into another year following the individual path which we alone are to tread. Life is a pilgrimage, along journey, but we need not necessarily travel alone, fumbling in darkness in search of our destination. The Epiphany story concerns the wider world and the may varying circumstances of joy and sorrow in which we encounter Christ. It calls for us to look around and search for the Lord who is in our midst, in situations where previously we were unaware of His presence. He comes in people and places we least expect and at times when we are most unprepared for His company. God stands in our midst revealing Himself and inviting us to enter His company. Nothing is ever the same again for those who have discovered His light. The responsibility we bear is to let the divine light within us shine through to others. The gospel of love, forgiveness and redemption is not something to keep quiet about, but Good News to announce to the world.

Let the LIGHT of Christ shine through YOU and let us defeat darkness and evil by not ceasing to do GOOD. Then and only then that Epiphany becomes real!