MAY THE LIGHT OF CHRIST GUIDE US ALONG THE PATH OF PEACE AND JOY.

In the midst of the darkness of the world a light shines. A light so powerful that those who follow it are led along the path of life. Isaiah prophecy about this light that will guide nations, kings and people along the path of prosperity and peace. This light is the light of Epiphany. Epiphany means to manifest, to shine out for people to see, understand and follow. Epiphany teaches us that God is in our midst. Divinity hidden in mystery shines out so that humanity can see, understand and follow him to lead them along the path of life. Christ manifested himself through a shining star. He shines out brightly as the light of the world and the glory of God. The Magi spotted a star, this particular star shines brighter than any other star. They followed this star and it led them to Jesus. Jesus is a star that leads people to God.  Every baby born into the world is a star. Jesus calls us to take good care of these babies so that they will grow and shine out as they accomplish the plan of God. When the Magi spotted the special star they realized that the child that has this star has power to change the world. The child has power to put light in the darkest part of the world. The Magi went on a long and difficult journey to see and adore this child. But no journey made in the name of God is too long or too difficult. The joy that comes later will be greater than the challenges we endure. The Magi were overjoyed when they saw the child and it’s mother. A journey for God is a journey of blessing and joy. Do you make a journey to come to church to worship God on weekdays and Sundays? It is a journey of blessing. John 1: 4 said’ “Christ is life and that life was the light of humanity.” The first reading calls to arise and follow the light because it is capable of destroying the darkness of the world. The darkness of fear and anxiety, the darkness of violence and all culture of death. The darkness of the world cannot stand the power of the light. When we follow the light we shine like light in the midst of darkness. The gospel tells us that when Herod saw the light he was not happy and seeks a way to destroy the light. He prefer darkness to light. He would like to extinguish the light so that people will remain in darkness. But God would not give Herod and people like him the opportunity to extinguish the light of God. On the other hand, the light revealed himself to Paul, and he was able to spread the light throughout the world. Paul calls us to spread the light of God around us by life of love and generosity. The Magi teaches us to always follow the light. The Magi rejoiced when they saw the child. They teach us to always rejoice and give glory to God for all his blessings. The Magi adored and worshipped the child Jesus when they found him. They teaches to always worship and adore Jesus in our hearts and through the Church. The Magi opened their treasure and gave Jesus precious gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Precious gifts fit for a king. They call us to make Jesus our treasure and be generous to Jesus through the Church and the people we encounter. The level of our generosity to Jesus points to the level of the love we have for him. The Magi went to their home by another way. The Magi teaches us not to go back by the road we left to follow Jesus. We should not go back to the way of life we left behind to follow Jesus. The Magi were warned by an angel not to endanger the life of baby Jesus. The Magi calls us not to endanger the life of anyone, including the life of babies and children. As we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord may the light of Christ guide us to find true peace and joy as we follow him.