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The Epiphany of the Lord
L. Lotto, Nativity
Sacred Scriptures

Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72
Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6
Matthew 2:1-12
"Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem!  Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you."
                         -Isaiah
The Epiphany Proclamation
What are we looking for when we gather to celebrate the Eucharist?  Are we looking beyond the cup and the bread to become like who we receive, or are we more concerned about simply only looking at the Eucharistic bread?  Are we encountering Christ in the proclaimed word, or are we stuck at only looking at the typed print in our missals?  Are we more concerned about those that suffer in our own community, about those who die as victims to the winter weather because they have no home to live; or are we more concerned about only looking at the crucifix hanging in the church (and making sure that it is a crucifix)?  Are we looking for ways to change corrupt systems that hold the poor down at the bottom in our country, or are we only looking for ways to satisfy their needs at Christmas?  Are we inviting men and women to consider the sisterhood, brotherhood, and priesthood, or are we only looking to complain when we cannot celebrate the Mass because there is no priest or to find a quick prayer for vocations that will satisfy our consciences?  What are we looking for?

Sadly, we have developed an agenda for what we are looking for.  Instead of just following the signs God gives us, whether they are stars, vocation shortages or the presence of homeless people in our city, it seems that people really are not looking to put their faith into action.  People are not looking for ways to progress and grow either as individuals and communities.  We are looking to the past for comfort, for what's easier; and we are looking out for ourselves, not for each other.  We are so quick to complain and yet also remaim complacent.  What are we looking for?  What star guides us?

Epiphany, 2001.  What does this mean for us today?  What have we found in our faith life?  Where are we going?  What are we seeking?  Epiphany celebrates the revelation of Jesus Christ in our midst.  Christ dwells among us, with us and in us.  But how often do we forget this?  We are so quick to hurt one another.  Do we realize that we are hurting Christ?  Yes, the same Christ, who is truly present in the Eucharist, and in the proclaimed word, is also present in each of us.  Are we making this connection?  Is this a new revelation - a new epiphany - of Christ?  Perhaps it is one that is more difficult to accept?  Perhaps it is a bread more difficult to eat or a cup more difficult to drink from?  Christ dwells among us, with us, in us.  Discovering that same Christ whom the Magi found some 2,000 years ago must move us to carry that message, to live Jesus, to put our faith into practice, to move on from just looking and to begin living the Epiphany:  God loves us, and God is with us.
Peace, Shaun Lowery
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