2025/01/05 SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
The Epiphany of the Lord
- Fr. Brett Williams, Assoc. Pastor & Dir. of Worship and Prayer Ministry
A Journey of Hope: Reflection on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord at the start of our Jubilee Year 2025
As we begin this new year, the Feast of the Epiphany arrives as a radiant beacon, illuminating our path forward. This year, its light seems particularly significant as we embark on a Jubilee Year, a time of pilgrimage and renewal, under the theme of "Pilgrims of Hope." The Epiphany, with its story of the Magi following a star to find the newborn King, offers a powerful reflection on our own journey of faith and the hope that guides us.
The story of the Magi is one of seeking and finding. These wise men, guided by an extraordinary sign, embarked on a long and arduous journey. They were not deterred by the unknown but rather driven by a deep desire to encounter the truth. Their journey reminds us that the search for God is not always easy. It requires courage, perseverance, and a willingness to step out of our comfort zones. Like the Magi, we too are called to be pilgrims, constantly seeking God's presence in our lives.
This Jubilee Year invites us to reflect on our own pilgrimage of hope. We are all called to be pilgrims, journeying towards God, seeking His face, and trusting in His promises. This journey is not always easy. We face challenges, doubts, and uncertainties. But like the Magi, we are guided by a star, a light that leads us forward. This light is the light of faith, the hope that Christ offers us.
The Epiphany also reveals the universality of God's love. The Magi, representing the Gentiles, were among the first to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. This signifies that Christ came for all people, not just a select few. His light shines for everyone, regardless of their background or origin. In a world often divided by differences, the Epiphany reminds us of our shared humanity and our common call to follow Christ.
As we begin this Jubilee Year, we are called to be "Pilgrims of Hope." This means that we are called to be witnesses of hope in a world that often seems to be lacking it. We are called to share the joy of the Gospel with others, to be beacons of light in the darkness. Like the Magi, who shared their joy with Herod and the people of Jerusalem, we are called to share our faith with those we encounter.
The gifts of the Magi – gold, frankincense, and myrrh – remind us that we each have something we can offer God and those on the journey with us. The gifts we gave and received this Christmastime remind us of the importance of sharing with others; especially those who have so very little. This Jubilee Year, we must not forget, as the Prophet Isaiah tells us, to raise our eyes and look about and let our hearts throb and overflow for others.
In this Jubilee Year, as we walk together as pilgrims of hope, let us be inspired by the example of the Magi. Let us be guided by the light of faith, let us seek God with all our hearts, and let us share the joy of the Gospel with others. May this Epiphany be a reminder that we are all called to be pilgrims on a journey of hope, guided by the light of Christ, towards the fullness of God's love.