This Sunday we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. The feast of the Epiphany marks the Lord’s revelation and manifestation to all nations. We know this story well: the Magi – wise men from the East – follow the star that announced the birth of the king of the Jews.
“When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy” (Mt 2:10). The Magi had travelled a long distance, hoping and trusting that the star they were following would lead them to the newborn king. They had no assurance that this was the case; they had no guarantee that the star was leading them anywhere. All they knew was that this strange star was worth investigating.
In our own lives, our paths can be uncertain and blurry. We may not always know the direction we are supposed to be going, or that what we are pursuing in life will lead anywhere. Unfortunately, many well-intended endeavors turn up flat and end up leading nowhere. In the midst of the turmoil of the world we run the risk of being led astray. Therefore, we must hold strong to our faith, as the Magi did, and trust that our Lord will lead us along the right path: the path that leads to himself.
“When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.” Indeed, when we allow ourselves to be led along the path that leads to God, we are likewise being led along the path of joy, for God is the only true and lasting source of joy.
The journey of life is like following the star. When we live a life of faith, following the Lord forthrightly, we will come to everlasting joy. Although we may not always know or understand the route we are taking or the direction of our heading, we can be confident that when we follow the Lord, he will never lead us astray.
At the dawn of this new year and new decade, as we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany, let us once again recommit ourselves to bear Christ’s message of love, hope, and salvation to the world. In the way we live our lives, let us reveal and manifest Christ to a world that is so desperately in need of him. And let us always remain faithful to the path our Lord has laid out, so that with the wise men, we may come to know the joy that only he can give.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Epiphany.
Kevin Ponte – St. Joseph Seminary, Edmonton, Alberta
Fot. Jametlene Reskp/Unsplash.com