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Vocation Meditation -
Epiphany 2012
"We have observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay homage to the Lord"
(Gospel Acclamation)
The Feast of the Epiphany is a joyful feast, a missionary feast, a story of celebration.
It teaches us about genuine inquiring faith and perseverance among a small group of three magi who discover and follow a special star they believe will take them to something of divine origin. They arrive in Bethlehem and discover a humble child, Emmanuel, before whom they worship and offer their gifts. They acknowledge him as the Prince of Peace, born for the salvation of the world.
The visit of the magi to the holy family Bethlehem opens us to God's plan for the salvation of all peoples. The first visitors to Bethlehem after the shepherds were these strangers, from afar. They are surely God's way of inviting us to make every effort to dialogue about our faith with people of other religions and faith traditions, and to learn from them as they too seek in faith to know God's love and God's will for them.
Reflection:
As we ponder and celebrate this feast of the Epiphany, Let us pray for the light of Christ to grow ever stronger in our own hearts and to be open to what Christ reveals to us about ourselves as his beloved and about all people whom God desires to embrace with divine belovedness. An important part of a vocation is to develop good friendships and relationships with all people of good will.
Prayer:
Christ our light may we see you more clearly throughout this New year in one another, in the stranger, the homeless, the beggar, the mother single mother and child on a subway, our fathers and mothers giving their all for their families each day, fellow students, fellow workers, people of other religions. May we be guided by your refreshing Spirit through this New Year to be your witnesses of God's salvation offered to the whole world.
For the full Gospel reading for this Sunday, visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops site.