This week’s Gospel from Matthew reveals the birth of the Messiah and the Feast of the Epiphany. The magi have arrived in Jerusalem, and after seeing the prophesized star, wonder where the newborn king lay. King Herod, troubled by the birth of the child, sent the Magi to find Jesus. The Magi travel to Bethlehem and are overjoyed when they behold Jesus.
Can you imagine what it must have been like to see Jesus laying there knowing he was the prophesized King? In Numbers 24:17 Moses wrote; “a star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.” And now, this was being revealed. The branch had sprouted from the stump of Jesse to bring justice and righteousness (Isaiah 11:1). Jesus, the new King, born of a virgin, had been revealed (epiphany in Greek).
How can we reveal and share the light of Christ? How can we help to be an epiphany for our brothers and sisters in 2021? Through prayer, I have come to believe that it all starts with listening. Before the light of Christ can overwhelm someone, we as joyful missionary disciples need to listen; and then listen some more. Pope Francis tells us to “Listen to situations, listen to problems openly, without prejudices.” When you listen, you hear the person’s heart. To the ancient Hebrews, the heart was not just emotion, but was the mind and thoughts. It is in the heart that we hear the Lord and can learn to let the light of Christ in.
After we listen, we share together. It is so powerful to share your own faith journey with someone who is searching for the light of Christ. By letting your brothers and sisters know how the light of Jesus has changed your life and by living as a witness to his glory, they will want to bask in that same loving embrace of the Lord.
After listening to the person’s heart and then sharing your own joyful mission, you should pray together. As Pope John Paul II stated, prayer “is always God’s initiative within us.” We meet God in prayer and it is in praying together we can share the light of Christ.
God bless you all on this Feast of the Epiphany and may God’s revelation of the Light guide you into 2021.
