Feast of the Epiphany



On this Feast of the Epiphany, my thoughts for this reflection have come from several sources. As I share each thought, I will also share from where I received the inspiration for it.


We hear in the Gospel that the Magi were led by a star from the East. When they arrived in Jerusalem, Herod inquired about the star’s appearance. He sent them to search for the child, with a request that they return so that he, too, may pay homage. This star preceded them to Bethlehem, stopping over the place where Baby Jesus lay. 


Inspired by our priest’s homily at Mass last evening, I began to ponder myself as a star. Is the light of my star a bright beacon, leading others to Christ through my words & actions? Or have I let my star grow dimmer by the earthly worries & trials of human frailty? I must continue to polish my star, so that its light can remain a strong guide for those I encounter on a daily basis. That polishing process can be done through frequent reception of the sacraments & immersing myself in the Word of God through prayer, study, & adoration. 


My second thought was inspired by the daily reflection from The Word Among Us for today. The Magi arrived with gifts for the Christ Child…Gold, Frankincense, & Myrrh. Each of these gifts symbolized a part of Christ’s life. Gold was for His Kingship, Frankincense was for His Priesthood, & Myrrh was a burial ointment for His Passion & Death. As The Word Among Us explains below, we have our own gifts which we can offer to Christ.

  • Gold is a precious metal that represents wealth. What is your gold? Maybe it’s the time you offer to serve him, or it’s your money that you can share with the poor.

  • Frankincense was a gift of worship. You can offer him the frankincense of the prayers and praises that rise from your heart to the throne of the Lord Almighty.

  • The myrrh is a perfume that foreshadowed Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. The myrrh you can offer are the times you sacrifice yourself to care for your family or those closest to you.

(from The Word Among Us Daily Reflection for 1/5/2025)

My final thought was one of those “A-Ha” moments that really struck me. It comes from the TAN Books email devotional I receive every Sunday. After finding the Christ Child, the Magi returned home by a different route. They had been warned in a dream not to return to Herod with their findings. The route they took most likely was not a well-traveled road, but one full of hardship. To avoid Herod, they probably had to sleep in caves or in mountain recesses as opposed to the comforts of a traveling inn. All was done to protect the Christ Child.  


Likewise, once we find Christ & allow Him into our lives, we must not return to the same path we had been on prior to meeting Him. We are different people. I love this quote from Mary Magdalene in the first season of The Chosen, 


“I was one way, but now I am completely different.
And the thing that happened in between was Him.” 


Once you meet Christ, you will never be the same again! No matter how difficult the journey will be, we must take up our crosses & leave our sinful lives behind. Grow in virtue, overcoming the vices which may hold us back. Not an easy task, but He will be with us the whole way!


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