Wednesday, January 24, 2018

The Manifestation of Jesus Christ: Epiphany in Christmas Season

Listen to the homily here.

Notes:

This season is cold and dark
·      How often do we see the sun?
·      How many times are we outside?
·      How often do we feel warm?
In our spiritual lives is a different world
·      We always have the Son
·      How many times can we be outside of ourselves?
·      How often can we experience the warmth—not of nature—but love?
Epiphany
·      They followed the star
·      They wanted to find to the new king
·      And when they arrived, they prostrated before this king
·      And they did so while bringing gifts
o   Not dinky gifts
o   The best that they brought from their culture and their life with gold, frankincense and myrrh
Brothers and sisters:
You have heard of the stewardship of God's grace 
that was given to me for your benefit, 
namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation.”
·      How do you prostrate to Jesus—our king?
o   At Mass?
o   At home?
o   At work?
o   At outside?
·      How do you offer, not your last fruits—but crucial time, essential talents and important treasures?
Finally
·      King Herod or the Magi?
o   “Then Herod called the magi secretly 
and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 
"Go and search diligently for the child.
When you have found him, bring me word, 
that I too may go and do him homage."”
o   King Herod lied
o   King Herod eventually killed the young children in Bethlehem
o   How of us lie?  Hurt others?  Physically, emotionally?
·      Magi went to a journey with hundreds of miles to follow the gifts of the Holy Spirit
o   Then they gave their gifts
o   They followed him…not Herod
Who are you following?  Who are you offering your gifts?  How are worshiping God?


No comments:

Post a Comment