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Dear brothers and sisters,

The joy of the Christmas season continues and we celebrate this Sunday the feast of the Epiphany – the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus.  

This is a significant celebration, for these somewhat mysterious men, who follow the star to find the Messiah, are not of the chosen people of Israel. So, in that sense, they represent all those across the world who, like them, are gentiles – all those who come to be the community that has Abraham as our father in faith but are not of Abraham’s race.  

The Epiphany – the showing – of Christ to the world is the wonder we celebrate, therefore, this Sunday, Jesus shows Himself to us.

The men from the East bring their gifts to the Christ-child. This Sunday’s celebration poses a question for you and for me: what do I bring to Christ? This is an interesting question, for we must recognise that all we have – all we are – is gift. We give to the Lord what has first been given to us: our God-given talents, our skills, all we have learnt, all our experience; indeed, all that we are. We are called to give everything to Christ, to live every moment of our lives as a gift to Him – in service of Him and in service of our brothers and sisters. This is the wonder of the Christian life and it is in the giving that we find the fullness of life.  

With every blessing,

+ Richard