Daily Thoughts: Feast of the Epiphany of
the Lord
I have always liked the short story by
Henry van Dyke call The Other Wise Man. It was made into a movie starring
Martin Sheen called The Fourth Wise Man. The premise of the story is that there
were not three wise men, magi, from the east but four, the fourth one's name
was Artaban. Now Artaban was late to the meeting place from which the magi were
to start their journey of following the star so he was always playing catch-up
to the other three magi. He never catches up to them and so he does not meet
the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. By the time he gets there the others are gone and
so is the Holy Family.
Artaban is determined to meet the Christ
so from Bethlehem he sets out on a journey to catch up, to meet the Christ. He
wants to give him some rare stones, jewels, that he has brought along however
Artaban is late for every opportunity to meet Jesus because he is always
stopping to help someone in need. He finally ends his journey after many, many
years in Jerusalem. He is old and tired and he has given all his precious
stones away to help others. He is dejected because he now has nothing to give
Jesus if he meets him.
Artaban finally does meet Jesus as Jesus
is carrying his Cross to Calvary. Jesus tells Artaban that he is thankful for
his many gifts. Artaban doesn't understand because he thinks he has no gift to
give. Jesus tells Artaban that his life has been his gift. Every time he
stopped to help someone it was a gift and Jesus is very pleased with the gift,
in fact it is the best gift!
I always think of this story on the
Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, because I think Artaban represents all of
us. At birth we all begin a journey to meet the Lord it is called life. We have
many opportunities to encounter Jesus. Sometimes we miss him and sometimes we
don't. Our gift is our life and how we live it. Each time we help others we add
to our gift, each time we help others encounter Jesus we add to our gift, each
time we live life to the best of our ability we add to our gift!
We find ourselves in the midst of a
world that often does not recognize Christ and does not give the gifts we have
been entrusted with. We live in a world that often does not see the needs of
others around us. We live in a world that often disrespects the gift of life.
We live in a world that often fails to see people in need because we have our
backs turn and we think only of ourselves!
The Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord
reminds us that Christ's presence and message is universal, Jesus came for all.
Again let me repeat that – Christ’s came for all of us! Our challenge is to
bring that message to the world for Jesus by not turning our backs, by not
holding on to our gifts but by sharing our gifts with whomever we meet! Let's
continue our journey to find the Christ today, let's live our lives, let’s give
our gifts!
Happy Epiphany everyone and have a great
Sunday!
Daily Prayer: Loving God,
grant us a faith – that is willing to live the journey of life. A faith – that
is willing to share our gifts with everyone we meet. Grace us with a trust that
enables us to know that in sharing we are truly bringing the gift of your
presence to the world so that everyone on earth my come to know your love.
Amen!
A Runner's Thoughts: Remember every
run had the potential to become a quest for life's meaning in the midst of the
unexciting!
Daily Blessing: Happy Little
Christmas everyone! I hope wherever you are it will be a good day, one filled
with many blessings and much peace. Remember to give God a little time today!
Being that this is the Feast of the
Epiphany also known as Little Christmas I thought I would draw upon a Christmas
prayer for my prayer of blessing today.
May our celebration of the Epiphany be
filled with beautiful experiences and memories of God’s love in your life. May
this presence enhance the living of life. May the example of the magi’s spirit
of journey be within all of our hearts.
And may the joy of God’s presence in our
life touch the depths of our soul with delight, and may blessings in bushels,
abundant and rich light every path of our lives.
May you have a blessed day and may it be
filled with many encounters of God presence in your life! Remember give the
gift today that keeps on giving – your life. It is also a gift that will bring
you many gifts! Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
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