Epiphany (01/07/2024)

Today we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. It is a most special celebration for me. I was baptized in the Cathedral of Epiphany in Sioux City, Iowa. I was also married there 19 years later. Our first daughter was baptized there as well. The cathedral to me represents the recognition of the LORD’s presence in our midst though unnoticed by so many. It reminds me that I must always be attentive because the LORD most often comes in the simplest and easily missed ways.

Our LORD is active and present. The star that guided the magi was put there by our LORD. But not everyone noticed. Not everyone saw the LORD at work in our midst. What is the LORD doing right now that we are missing because we aren’t paying attention? How is the LORD seeking to draw us to Himself? Will we notice? Will we be drawn? Will we search for the LORD’s presence among us?

Yesterday, I was blessed to be among a group of 8 who provided a luncheon for a parish family mourning the loss of a mother and grandmother. As I worked alongside these individuals, I was struck by their loving kindness, their generosity of spirit and presence, their concern for the family to whom we were ministering. It wasn’t fancy or showy, but the LORD’s presence in that hall yesterday was profound and real in the labors of a group of believers and in a family’s love.

Every day the LORD is among us, and there are manifestations of the LORD’s power and presence. Will we notice? This day, let us intuitively grasp the reality of our all-loving and all-present LORD at work in our midst. Let us seek the LORD, let us follow the light, and let us end our day in the presence of our LORD.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.