Arise, Be Enlightened, Your Light Has Come!
May I begin by wishing you on behalf of all your clergy a very Happy New Year! On this first Sunday of 2018 we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany, or the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. This feast is also a mystery of light. The light that shone that first Christmas night in the grotto at Bethlehem where Mary, Joseph and the shepherds adored is now made manifest to the whole world.
The Adoration of the Magi to the Christ Child also proves that Our Lord is much more than an ordinary created person. After all, there was none of the glamour and wealth of an earthly king present, and yet the Magi bent their knees before the Child and worshipped Him as God. Thus the prophecy is fulfilled, “The kings of Sheba and Seba shall bring Him gifts. Before Him all kings shall fall prostrate, all nations shall serve Him” (Ps. 71:10-11).
The light which shone at Bethlehem is the Divine Light because “God is light; in Him there is no darkness” (1 Jn 1: 5). Unfortunately, many reject the light and many have still never heard of Christ, the True Light that enlightens the darkness. So our job is to allow ourselves to be converted and transformed by Him into a ‘people of light’ so that we can bring the light to others. We normally do this in the places we frequent our daily lives, but throughout the history of the Church, many have left their homes and families and devoted themselves more radically to Christ to spread His light and His truth. Christ is without doubt calling people from this parish to do the same today. Could YOU be one of those God is calling to serve Him in the priesthood or the religious life as a brother or sister? If so, don’t close your ears to the call. As Our Lady responded to the Angel Gabriel at the Annunciation, “fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.” “Be it done unto me according to your word.” Be not afraid. If God calls you, He gives you the grace to fulfil the task. With Him, ALL things are possible!
Fr Paul Gillham IC
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