Christians Rise Up, Your Savior and King is Revealed
Detail of “The Nativity” by Rohden Franz von Geburt Christi
We often hear of our search for God, but seldom, if ever hear of God’s search for us – or at least we do not think we do. But, the truth is that God first seeks us out, so that we might seek Him. He thirsts for us, so that we might thirst for Him (cf. CCC nos. 2560-2567).
How do we miss this amazing truth, particularly when we have just recently spent all of Advent and now this Christmastide hearing about Christ’s coming to us?
That’s the starting point for us now. God has come to save us. He loves us so much that He became one of us, born into a human family. Pray the Holy Spirit to allow this truth to soak into your very core… to refresh and renew your heart.
And then, get to it. Begin seeking God and His will for your life in earnest. There is no time to waste!
In our first reading on this Solemnity of the Epiphany, we hear, “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you” (Isaiah 60:1). Jesus is that light and He now shines upon each of us.
The Gospel tells the story of the magi from the East who traveled in search of Christ, the new-born king. Again, we see this truth, the God of all creation has come to the world, and those of good will seek Him. The magi traveled over great distance and time to seek the new-born king. They found Him and brought great gifts for Him. And they followed Him thereafter according to right judgment, forsaking the lure and temptations of the culture and corrupt government (cf. Matthew 2).
The story of the Magi and the Revelation of the Christ-Child in what we call the Epiphany is a wonderful occasion and opportunity to begin anew our prayer life. There is much for us to meditate on here.
Each of us can consider our own life, in one sense, as the journey of the magi to find and give homage to the new king who is revealed to them – and to us – as the Savior of the world. So during the remaining week of Christmastide, let’s jump-start our prayer lives by reflecting on this passage and our lives.
- How seriously do I seek God? Do I place Him first in my life? What is my most important goal in life?
- Do I give Jesus Christ, my Savior and King, the homage He is due?
- What gifts and talents do I offer to my King? What am I willing to sacrifice to know and love my Lord?
- Do I surrender to my King no matter what doing so costs me?
- Do I faithfully and persistently invite His light to shine upon me and to guide my will?
Rise up, Christians, rise up in splendor for your King… obey His Holy Will, for He has been revealed to the world this day.
Into the deep…
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Into the Deep by Deacon Mike Bickerstaff is a regular feature of the The Integrated Catholic Life™ and usually appears each Sunday.
Deacon Mike Bickerstaff is the Editor in chief and co-founder of the The Integrated Catholic Life™. A Catholic Deacon of the Roman Rite for the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Deacon Bickerstaff is assigned to St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church where he is the Director of Adult Education and Evangelization.
He is a co-founder of the successful annual Atlanta Catholic Business Conference; the Chaplain of the Atlanta Chapter of the Woodstock Theological Center’s Business Conference; and Chaplains to the St. Peter Chanel Business Association and co-founder of the Marriages Are Covenants Ministry, both of which serve as models for similar parish-based ministries.
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Category: Into the Deep, Prayer / Spiritual Life
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