Let us be the light of Christ to all!
Today, as we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord, we are invited to reflect on
the profound significance of the manifestation of God’s light and love to the
world. The prophet Isaiah urges us “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light
has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you”. This imagery of divine
radiance piercing through the darkness is a powerful metaphor for the
transformative impact of God’s presence in our lives and the world.
As we stand at the dawn of the New Year, we are presented with a unique
opportunity to embody Christ’s light and illuminate the pathways of our families
and communities with the radiance of God’s love. The call to be the bearers of
Christ’s light is not merely a passive acknowledgment of divine grace but an
active, transformative vocation that beckons us to infuse every moment of our
lives with the virtues of love, forgiveness, faith, hope, and joy.
The prophet Isaiah’s vision of nations walking by the light of Jerusalem and
kings being guided by its shining radiance is a reminder of our responsibility to
be ambassadors of God’s light in a dark world. The Lord has bestowed His love
upon each of us and at the beginning of this New Year, we are called to be
catalysts for the diffusion of that divine love in the world.
The Peace Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi unites us in the call to be
instruments of God’s peace, love, and hope in a world often scarred by conflict
and discord. It urges us to sow seeds of love where there is hatred, to extend
forgiveness where there is injury, and to foster faith and hope in the face of doubt
and despair. This prayer, echoing the timeless message of the Epiphany, invites
us to be the channels through which the light of Christ flows and transforms our
families, communities, and the broader human family.
Let us begin the New Year by recommitting ourselves to be the light of
Christ. The story of the Magi who followed the light of a star to pay homage to
the newborn King is an inspiration for our spiritual journey. Their perseverance,
humility, and unwavering faith enabled them to recognize and honor the divine
presence in humble surroundings. Likewise, as we embark on the journey of this
New Year, may we be guided by a faith that enables us to see the sacred in the
ordinary, the miraculous in the gloomy, and the redemptive in the broken.Fr. Dominic Toan Tran, Pastor
Dear brothers and sisters, the feast of the Epiphany challenges us to
transcend the confines of our comfort zones and extend the light of Christ to
those who are alienated and disheartened. We are called to offer the gifts of our
talents, resources, and selves in service to God and others. As we enter this New
Year, may we heed the wisdom encapsulated in the Epiphany and the Peace
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi and be steadfast in our commitment to be
instruments of peace, love, and hope in this New Year, 2024.