Church of the
Annunciation

7580 Clinton Street
Elma, New York 14059

716.683.5254

January 06, 2019

Epiphany

Epiphany

Saturday morning, I went out for the News but before I opened the paper, I noticed the stars in the pre-dawn sky. The stars caught my attention. I stopped and lost interest in the paper. Saturday afternoon, I was looking out my garage door and saw three deer running across the parking lot. I lost my train of thought and became more focused on the richness of the present moment. How much am I missing?

In the infancy narrative of St. Matthew, Magi (astrologers or magicians) from the East see the light of a distant star that so captivates them that they set out searching for a new king. In the ancient world the birth of a future king would be heralded by some celestial phenomenon. When they come to Jerusalem inquiring about a new king, they upset the old King who, after searching scripture, directs them to Bethlehem. Herod intends to eliminate any threat to his power. They find the child and his mother and pay homage to the new born king of the Jews. Warned in a dream, the Magi return home by a different route.

Like the Magi we are drawn to Bethlehem, returning each year, to rediscover its meaning and to pay homage to a child who reveals God to us. Like the Magi, once we encounter God in Christ, we must return home by a different route. Our life is changed. We become a light for others who see Christ in us.  

 

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Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

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Baptism of the Lord

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