Today is the Feast of the Epiphany, a festival many churches celebrate with lights to remind us that Jesus is often called the light of the world. But where is our light? How can we, in a season of still early morning darkness not to mention the darkness of hate and violence that still surrounds us, find light?
We could, of course, simply sink into despair, but as a people called to share God’s call to create a better world, we cannot do so. There are signs of light and hope, the results of our commitment to living the promise of Christmas into Epiphany and beyond. They may be small, but as sung in Bernstein’s Mass, you cannot abolish the Word of the Lord.
It has been tough to keep up hope, but that is what we are called to do, through our deeds and word. As we begin our day, there are many small actions we can take to grow hope not just in ourselves but in others.
Prayer for the Day
The light of your revelation grows among us, O God,
A gleam of sunlight you have given us in the dark of January;
Forgetful of your sovereignty over our seasons and our fears,
We remain bundled against the brevity of winter days.
Help us overcome our dusky gloom and erase habits that freeze our hearts
And teach us the joy of compassion and the warmth of love.
We ask this in the name of the One who is love itself,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
For the Word created mud and got it going,
It filled our empty brains with blood and set it flowing And for thousands of regimes It’s endured all our follies and fancy schemes It’s been tough, and yet it seems to be growing!
- Stephen Schwartz, from Mass
JANUARY, the first month of the year, a perfect time to start all over again, Changing energies and deserting old moods, new beginnings, new attitudes
- Charmaine J Forde, novelist and poet
O give thanks to the Lord, call on God’s name, make known God’s deeds among all.
Sing to the Lord, sing praises to God, tell of God’s wonderful works.
Glory in God’s holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Seek the Lord and God’s strength and presence continually.
Psalm 105: 1-4