Sunday, January 7, 2024

EPIPHANY: Setting out anew for Christ...

 “The Magi set out because of a deep desire which 
prompted them to leave everything 
and begin a journey.  It was as though they had
 always been waiting for that star.” 
 Pope Benedict XVI
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Solemnity of the Epiphany
Although the date of the Epiphany on the General Calendar of the Church 
is January 6th, in the USA and some other countries it is celebrated 
on the Sunday after January 1st so more Catholics may attend holy Mass. 
This year it was celebrated on January 7.
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“No one, whether shepherd or wise man,
can approach God here below except 
by kneeling before the manger at Bethlehem 
and adoring him hidden 
in the weakness of a new-born child.”
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, 56
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They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering
the house they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage. - Matt 2:10-11

bpg-wisemen-william-hole.gif (551×480)

 "Today we must make our own 
the happiness which filled the Wise Men 
on their journey to Christ... 
Above all, we must imitate them as they 
place at the Child's feet not only three gifts,
but also their lives...

We need to 'set out anew from Christ,'
with the zeal of Pentecost, 
with renewed enthusiasm.

To set out from Him above all
in a daily commitment to holiness,

with an attitude of prayer
and of listening to His word.

To set out from Him
in order to testify to His love
by living a Christian life
marked by communion, charity 
and witness before the world."

Saint John Paul II


O, come let us adore Him -
Christ the LORD!

“In returning to their own land by another way
the Magi suggest something of great significance for us. 
Our true country is paradise.  

Having now come to the knowledge of Jesus, 
we are forbidden to return to it 
on the path by which we left it. 
For we left our land by the path of pride, of disobedience,
by following after wealth, by eating forbidden food.  

So we must now return another way:
by way of tears, by way of obedience, 
by contempt of the world, by restraining the 
desires of the flesh.” - St Gregory the Great

Photo Image above: Christ Our Life Conference, Des Moines, IA ~ USA (2014)

 

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