Daily
Thoughts:
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: “God has given me the ability. The rest is up to me.
Believe. Believe. Believe.” (Billy Mills) Remember every run has the potential
to become a quest for life's meaning in the midst of the unexciting!
Daily
Blessing:
Sunday greetings and blessings to all. 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 God’s 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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