Happy Feast of the Epiphany!

"The Infant Jesus had His tiny hands crossed on His chest, as if He were praying, and all His features seemed to radiate joy and love. Seeing the Divine Babe of Bethlehem thus, the three Kings fell on their knees before Him and again adored and worshipped Him. Their hearts became inflamed with a burning mystical devotion for Him. And in a fervent silent prayer they offered to the Christ Child their kingdoms, their peoples, their families, all their possessions, and their own selves. They humbly begged Him to rule over their souls and thoughts and all their actions, to enlighten them and to give happiness, peace, and charity to the world. Tears of joy and devotion rand down their cheeks, while all they could say was:

"'We saw His Star -- we know that He is to reign over all kings -- and we have come to worship Him and to offer Him our gifts.'"

~ Raphael Brown, The Life of Mary as Seen by the Mystics, imprimatur 1951.

In the sermon we heard today, Father brought up a very interesting point. Before Our Lord Jesus Christ came to Bethlehem, the Chosen People, or those who worshipped the true God, were a very small portion of the population. They lived in one small part of the world, and the rest of the planet adored idols and were pagans.

Then Our Lord came, the true Light of the World, and told His followers, "Go forth and teach all nations." He manifested Himself to the Jews and to all the non-Jewish people in the world, and told everyone to spread the word.

The truth brings us joy, and brings us eternal life. "Now this is eternal life: That they may know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3) So when He manifested the Truth, He brought all those people joy. "And seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." Matthew 2:10. He truly brought Joy to the world.