Epiphany Meditations

Wise Men

"On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."

Matthew 2:11

This is the story of the Magi, of people who followed their star, of people who were led to discover God in their lives. While bringing gifts to the newborn child, they also received a gift, the gift of God in the world. This was an Epiphany moment. God continues to surprise us with gifts, to provide Epiphany moments in our lives.

Gifts, Gifts, Gifts

Christmas celebrations include gift giving and receiving. We can derive pleasure from giving gifts to others and noticing their delight. Being surprised by gifts can bring us much happiness. Sometimes we do not expect a gift. At other times, we did not expect what we received. Presents are not always tangible. They can be a quality that we discover within ourselves. A gift can be another person really hearing us.

The following story illustrates this:

Personal Reflection

In a weekly faith-gathering group, the guest speaker was sharing about images of God, and God's presence to us in moments of struggle. A woman in the group shared that she had been feeling oppressed and depressed; at the same time, she recognized God's presence in her darkness.

The speaker looked at her with compassion and said: "All of us are oppressed at times; some to a greater degree than others".

Upon reflection, I realized that the speaker had received the GIFT of understanding and compassion, and this, too was GIFT to me. It was an EPIPHANY EXPERIENCE!

Reflection

Find a quiet spot to be alone.
Ask the Spirit of God to open your being, to quiet you...

Picture the scene of the three wise ones coming to offer homage and gifts to Jesus, the One sent by God...
See yourself as one of the wise ones...
You are coming to offer a gift...
There is a wonderfully wrapped gift in your hands...
Inside the gift are aspects and qualities of your life that you most enjoy and appreciate. Reflect upon these aspects and qualities.
Which ones are especially significant for you?
Which ones have been most apparent during the past year?
Which ones have seemed hidden or absent during the past year?

Prayer Response

O God, as I look back at my life
I see many little pieces of light.
They have given me hope and comfort
In my bleak and weary times...

I thank you for loved ones and strangers
whose inner beacons of light
have warmed and welcomed my pain...

And, yes, I thank you for my darkness,
(the unwanted companion I shun and avoid)
because this pushy intruder comes with truth
and reveals my hidden treasures to me.