“See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory.” Isaiah 60:2
Our faith tells us, and Isaiah does, too: No matter the circumstance of our lives, we are surrounded in God’s glory.
May the light of the Lord shine upon you today on the feast of the Epiphany!
Please accept my blessings for the New Year, one that we pray brings us deep spiritual renewal and strength for the journey.
The new life we crave is born in our call to mission, a reaching out to the entire world in the name of Christ our Savior. The Magi were the first to recognize the Messiah with precious gifts—and signs of humility. Just imagine: three kings honoring an infant born in a stable! In our own way, we are called to acknowledge the blessing of salvation in the Christ Child, and make the Good News known to the ends of the earth.
An epiphany, we know, is an insight into the essential meaning of something. An intuition that is undeniable. The Epiphany of Our Lord is all that and more. Today’s feast day acknowledges the divine nature of the Infant Jesus, a blessing from God that offers us the promise of salvation and eternal life.
This is the light Isaiah speaks of that pierces through the darkness. Today, we recommit ourselves to delivering the message of Christmas with joy in our hearts. God’s love has been revealed. Sharing the love and building God’s kingdom on earth is how the Christmas spirit will live on all year long.
The Epiphany reminds me how the light of Christ was offered to the world one day many years ago in another most remarkable way. On the feast of the Epiphany in 1912, three laywomen arrived at Maryknoll to found the Maryknoll Sisters. To this day, we call them the Three Wise Women! God called them to leadership and service, and they led by example. Their legacy of mission and healing continues to inspire women to Sisterhood all over the world.
Friend, the past year has challenged us mightily. But we know that in Christ, we are never abandoned to darkness. We have the blessing of faith—the light of Christ—and the promise that one day we will enjoy the gift of eternal life. Our priorities are nothing more than reflecting God’s love each day, especially where it is needed most. May this New Year bring you peace. And may each day be a personal epiphany of faith that shines a light for others to follow.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Father Raymond J. Finch, M.M.
Prayer for 1st Sunday
Epiphany
Shine Your light in our darkness, Lord Jesus,
that we may walk in Your ways and live
according to Your truth. Dispel the
shadow of doubt, sadness and fear
that fill our hearts and our world
and grant we might live in Your peace.
Lord, You guided the Magi with a star
help us, like them, to seek and find
You In the least likely and most unexpected places.
Surprise us with Your presence
as we make our way through life
that we might know Your love
and share Your Good News with all.
Remain with us, Lord, throughout our days
and keep us secure in Your loving embrace
that we might trust only in Your Will
and reflect Your glory to all who still live in darkness
and the shadow of death.
Prayer by Maryknoll Missioner, Father Joseph Veneroso
