The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, January 7, 2001
The Epiphany of the Lord
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-2,7-8,10-13
Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6
Matthew 2:1-12
Full text: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
A Reflection on Today's Scripture:
Epiphany commemorates God's revelation of His Christ to the Gentiles
from the East in the persons of the Magi. Their long journey was well
rewarded by an overflow of joy and awe as they beheld the radiant
Holy Child. Their gifts to Him denoted His Kingship, His holiness,
but also foreshadowed His death, necessary to giving the world hope
of new life.
God, the Father, would wish us to view Christ as the early Christians
did, a priceless gift to the world, the means through which humanity
could be lifted from their "fall" and raised up to participate in
God's Divine life. And being cleansed of sin in Christ's Precious
Blood, they would be imbued with the Holy Spirit to sanctify them,
fit them to live a worthy life on earth and in eternity.
We deny ourselves this greatest gift from God because we are
unwilling to reciprocate. The price of glory is gifting God with our
very selves, giving back to Him what is rightfully His. We belong to
Him and He holds us in Himself not in a possessive, restrictive way,
but in a way that will free us from our slavery to sin, self, things
and people -- and enable us to live purely, freely in Him.
Just as fish cannot live outside of water, neither can we live
outside of God; He is the milieu of life-giving love in which we were
created to abide. This very day we can experience a joyous epiphany
by coming before the Lord and sincerely giving ourselves to Him,
asking Him to reshape us in whatever way He wills, that we may bring
Him honor and glory and draw many others to Him.
Savior God,
lead us to Your glory through the light of faith;
through Your Spirit fulfill us in Your perfect love. Amen
- Marie L. Bocko OCDS ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
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