Church of the
Annunciation

“Epiphany” means “manifestation” or “appearance.” Although there is an appearance of a star that guides the Magi to Bethlehem, the revelation we celebrate today is the appearance of God in Jesus.  The Word becomes flesh. God takes on our human condition and is vulnerable -- even suffering and dying on the cross out of love for us. St. Paul tells us that Christ is the image of the invisible God. Whatever challenges we face in the New Year we are not alone or abandoned. God is with us. Pope Benedict, at a prayer service on New Year’s Eve, acknowledged evil in our world – violence, death and injustice -- but he affirmed goodness will prevail. Evil makes noise in our world, goodness often goes unnoticed. Today, on the feast of the Epiphany, I pray that the light of the Star of Bethlehem will enable us to see goodness in society, in the church, in others and in ourselves. Where we perceive evil, grace will be given to us to bring goodness. Christ is the image of the invisible God. We, in turn, are the image of Christ. When people see Christ in us they will see the revelation of God’s faithful love.