Epiphany: Follow the Star that Leads to Christ

Last week, the year ended with the Feast of the Holy Family reminding us that holiness is following the will of God. The new Year began with the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God giving us hope that we have Mary to walk with on this journey towards Christ. This week, the Feast of Epiphany- reinforces manifestation of Christ in our lives on our journey as a pilgrims on earth.

Fr. Dom, in his sermon recounted the many manifestations of Christ that took place in the Gospel-  manifestation to the Shepherds ; to the Magi; during the Baptism at River Jordan; at the wedding in Cana and many more. Similarly, there were many different reactions to the manifestations of Christ- the Magi were delighted and brought gifts; in contrast the Jewish Leaders were indifferent; on the other extreme Herod wanted to kill Jesus while the rest of Jerusalem were disturbed but took a wait and see approach.

How has Christ manifested Himself to you?

Fr. Dom shared his personal experience of Christ’s manifestation through a lady he met during his Camino Walk with his friends. He took a four-month sabbatical to make time for himself to listen and reflect. Like many others, he needed this time to overcome his spiritual dryness.

He met this lady on his last day of the walk and she was curious to know about him and his companions. She shared that she had lost all faith in Jesus but still clung on to Mary. When she heard that he was priest, she asked him to pray for her. At that moment, despite his own spiritual dryness, he felt the touch of Christ; the dryness dissipated; and he was moved to pray for her. For him, she was the star that made him remember his call and purpose -a priest chosen to shepherd the people.

This Epiphany, we are reminded that Christ manifests himself through many people who guide us back to Him if we are humble and open to Him. Likewise, may we also be a star for others to guide them back to Christ.

“Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”—John 7:38-39