Epiphany

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Epiphany

Looking     Up

Revelation     Guidance     Faith

Star At Its Rising

Radiate

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scriptures:   Isaiah 60: 1 and 2

Arise in splendor! Your light is here, the glory of God shines upon you.

There is darkness over all the earth and it covers all the people; but God shines on you and spreads glory over you.

Matthew 2: 1b-2; 9b-11

Magi came from the east to Jerusalem saying, "Where is the King of the Jews that was just born? We saw His star at its rising and we wish to celebrate Him."

The star they had seen at its rising went before them and it stood over the place where the infant was.

They were filled with joy at seeing the star.

When they went into the house, they saw the infant with His mother, Mary.

They knelt down and showed Him reverence.

Then they shared gifts with them from their wealth: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Reflection

The Light is here!

How often have we all longed for that Light when we have faced difficult situations in our lives? Sometimes things can seem very confusing and we wonder what we should do or to whom we should turn.

The prophet Isaiah reminds us that God is with us and that God will always share Light, Wisdom, and Peace with us.

The magi who have come searching for the King of the Jews have found that King in the most unlikely place. God helped them to find that King with the help of a star. Their faith, patience, and persistence led them to the child Jesus. 

In our own lives we look for those signs that will lead us to Jesus. They are all around us when we open our eyes to them.

A good spiritual practice that I have found is to ask at the end of each day, "Where have I seen Jesus today?" That always helps me to focus on the people, situations, and signs in creation that are epiphanies---manifestations---of God's Love for me that day.

Then I can also kneel down in reverence as the magi did and share my gifts with Jesus and thank Jesus for His many Blessings.

Enjoy the Light that God reveals to you and radiate it to others!

1. Where have you seen God's Light lately?

2. Do you feel that God is always with you?

3. Like the magi, do you sometimes find God in the most unlikely of places?

4. What do you feel as you reflect on Kathy's photo?

(scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)