{"id":486,"date":"2012-01-07T21:04:00","date_gmt":"2012-01-07T21:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/labmind\/2012\/01\/epiphany-homily.html"},"modified":"2012-01-07T21:04:00","modified_gmt":"2012-01-07T21:04:00","slug":"epiphany-homily","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/labmind\/2012\/01\/epiphany-homily.html","title":{"rendered":"Epiphany Homily"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

The invention of the light bulb has spoiled our experience of light.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Even though electricity and light bulbs have allowed us to have light on demand, which is a great thing, they have also made us loose our appreciation for the piercing power of light. <\/p>\n

Most of us modern human beings have forgotten what it\u2019s like for the sun to go down and to be left in complete darkness, trusting the moon and the starts to provide light from above. \u00a0As soon as the sun goes down today, lights all around us flicker on. \u00a0Night and day have morphed, we are indifferent to them because at night all we have to do is turn on the light and continue on with our lives.<\/p>\n

I remember a few years ago I was at Saint Mary on the Hill in Augusta and a thunderstorm knocked the lights out. \u00a0The rectory was very dark, so I walked across the street to the perpetual adoration chapel. \u00a0As I knelt in prayer, I looked up at the beautiful monstrance with Jesus present there. \u00a0The monstrance was flanked by two candles. \u00a0The flames pierced the darkness and filled the whole chapel with light. \u00a0Nowhere else was there light. \u00a0The adoration chapel was a beacon of light because Jesus was present. \u00a0I was struck by the thought, \u201cJesus truly <\/i>is the light of the world. \u00a0As these flames pierce the darkness, so does Jesus pierce the whole world to redeem it with His light. \u00a0He is the light of the world.<\/p>\n

In today\u2019s first reading, the prophet Isaiah describes what we celebrate in today\u2019s feast of the Epiphany, \u201cRise up in splendor, Jerusalem! \u00a0Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The darkness which reigned over mankind has been pierced by the presence of Jesus Christ, born Christmas morning and today revealed to the whole world as the bearer of true light. \u00a0Jesus Christ is the light which destroys the dark power of sin and death. \u00a0He is a light that cannot be contained. \u00a0As Pope Benedict said in his homily for today\u2019s feast, \u201cJesus Christ is the explosion of God\u2019s love, which causes the great white light of his heart shine upon the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

A star appeared over Jesus announcing to the world He was the light of the world. \u00a0The wise men recognized the light and came seeking that light because they desired to be associated with the light. <\/p>\n

Many people today continue to walk in darkness, and unlike the three wise men, run away from the light. \u00a0They do not like it when the light of Christ begins to shine brightly in their lives. <\/p>\n

Pope Benedict says that the saints have become constellations of Christ because they have made shine Christ\u2019s light so brightly in their lives. \u00a0The saints are the stars of God. \u00a0We too are called to be saints, we too are called to make shine the light of Christ in the darkness of the world. \u00a0How can we do this? <\/p>\n

We shine brightly whenever we witness to the joy that comes from the forgiveness and redemption we receive from Christ. \u00a0We shine brightly when we treat others with dignity, respect, and justice, recognizing the presence of God in fellow human beings. \u00a0We shine brightly when we are faithful in prayer and faithful to keeping God\u2019s commandments. \u00a0It is up to us to make the light of Christ shine brightly in our homes and workplaces. \u00a0The closer we remain to Christ, the more we seek Him, the better bearers of His light we will become. <\/p>\n

The wise men offered gold, frankincense and myrrh to the child Jesus. \u00a0Hopefully by living our lives by reflecting the light of Christ, we will be able to present a loving heart to Jesus when we meet Him at the end of our life. <\/p>\n

I love the closing line of the Christmas song \u201cIn the Bleak Mid Winter\u201d where a poor boy wonders what he could offer baby Jesus since he is poor. \u00a0The boy hits the nail on the head:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat can I give him, poor as I am? \u00a0If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; yet what I can I give him: give my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

Below is a beautiful rendition of In The Mid Bleak Winter by the Choir of King\u2019s College in Cambridge, England. <\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=U0aL9rKJPr4<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The invention of the light bulb has spoiled our experience of light. Even though electricity and light bulbs have allowed us to have light on demand, which is a great thing, they have also made us loose our appreciation for the piercing power of light. 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