All our lives we are on a once made journey. At times we feel lost, dismayed and in the dark. We may wander down alluring pathways that lead astray. In the deep heart's core we have an awareness that we are exiles. We are pilgrims all our days. Amid the encircling gloom, we seek endlessly for guiding light to lead us safely Home.
On this luminous feast of joy. we unite with those who once walked our toilsome way. They too were in ceaseless quest for everlasting Truth. The wise men were sincere. courageous and aware that the journey could demand not less than everything.
We have seen his star in the East and have come We too long for a glimpse of God, for our personal epiphanies.
History sadly shows us that our eyes may fail to see and that our ears may fail to hear. The celebration today is full of awakening wonders. We reflect not only on the mystery of the Magi, but on the radiant revelation by the Jordan River, and on the gracious miracle given. at Mary's prayer. amid the light filled laughter of Cana's wedding joy. He lets his glory be seen. Epiphany can be all around us. We must ever pray not be among those who, alas, could sleep even through the Sermon on the Mount.
We might even foster our little private Herods, set to destroy all early promises of hop version. We must indeed be eager and open hearted to other gratefully the gold of generous the incense of sincere prayer, and the costly myrrh that demands an end to self indulgence, to cruelty, and to debasing pride. The challenge comes to each of us today. Arise! Shine!" No one of us can shine except with some reflected splendour of Him who is the light of the world. To be fully alive we must exist by shining, as a fire exists by burning. To this we are called. And, as to the Magi. so to each of us God will grant a Special Star. Like the Wise Men we too must arise. We awaken from apathy and follow the kindly Light.
On this Joy filled Epiphany Feast. W. H. Auden challenges us . .
to discover how to be truthful
Now.
to discover how to be living Now.
to discover how to be loving
Now.
to discover how to be human
Now.
This is the reason we follow His
Star
Lest we grow discouraged from the evil within ourselves, Angustine gives a word of hope. "Light even when it passes through pollution is not itself polluted."
O Christ, the Light of heaven,
And of the world True Light!
You come in all you radiance
To cleave the web of night.
May what is false within us
Before your Truth give way,
That we may live untroubled
With quiet hearts each day . . .
Arise! Shine!