Light From Light

Oh, my goodness....I look at the date of my last post and I am amazed. I've often thought of this space; I've thought, "I really should write on my blog today - I found this great quote about light....it's been a while...." and the days would pass by, my words unwritten.

In many ways, my mind and heart have not been, shall we say, spiritually focused these past many months. I think our hearts and minds often wander from what brings us light and life, perhaps seeking something other than the true light that perpetually and persistently burns in our hearts and enlightens our being, our sense of purpose, and thinking that maybe, just maybe, there's something else we should be looking at, looking for. Or, perhaps we just become distracted, or doubtful, or tired, or bored, or even imagine that what we've given our lives to for so many years may just have been pretend, or images of our imagination, or even foolishness.

Whatever the case may be, I still do believe that if we continue to seek the light, and open our hearts to receive it more fully, the light will shine forth upon us, pour over us and into us, and will grow more strongly within us, more brilliant and bright, until it bursts out of us! Then, our personal and particular reflection of the Light, the light that is given to us and that spills out of us will be the light that we were created to share with the world. That's the light that we often put a basket over, but that we are called to put on a lampstand and share with others. (Matthew 5:15-16)

Anyway...what finally prompted me to write today is that, not only is today January 1, 2011 (1/1/11 !), but also at the Saturday afternoon Mass of Anticipation today, we celebrated tomorrow's feast of The Epiphany of the Lord. This is the day that we commemorate the coming of the Magi, those who followed the star and found the Christ-child, laying in a manger. There are so many images of light at Christmas and in the Christmas story, all pointing to the one true Light. (John 1:1-12)

One of my favorite sayings that is often found on Christmas cards is, "The wise still seek him." Let us join the wise men in that first caravan and follow the star that leads us to the Light. I close with some of the beautiful prayers and scriptures of this day as together we follow the light in the dark night sky.

Father,
you revealed your Son to the nations
by the guidance of a star.
Lead us to glory in your heaven
by the light of faith.....
(Opening Prayer of the Eucharistic Liturgy)

Father of light, unchanging God,
today you reveal to men [and women] of faith
the resplendent fact of the Word made flesh.
Your light is strong,
your love is near;
draw us beyond the limits which this world imposes,
to the life where your Spirit makes all life complete.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Alternative Opening Prayer)

First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come,
the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
See, darkness, covers the earth,
and thick clouds cover the peoples;
but upon you the Lord shines,
and over you appears his glory.

Nations shall walk by your light,
and kings by your shining radiance.
Raise your eyes and look about;
they all gather and come to you:
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

Then you shall be radiant at what you see,
your heart shall throb and overflow,
for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,
the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.
Caravans of camels shall fill you,
dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;
all from Sheba shall come
bearing gold and frankincense,
and proclaiming the praises of the Lord.

From the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 2:1-12)
....
"...We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage."

"...And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh...."

Father,
guide us with your light.
Help us to recognize Christ...and welcome him with love....
(From the Prayer After Communion)

Wishing you a....

...Merry Christmas!
...Blessed Epiphany!!
...Happy New Year!!!

...and a deep, abiding, lasting peace.

~Cindy