Some twenty years ago my family went home by "another way". After living in the big city, on both the east and west banks of New Orleans, amidst the hustle and bustle and traffic, we arrived home by "another way". Now home would be a tranquil piece of property 8 miles east of this church down rural Hwy 435. My first job here on the Northshore took me to Covington and Mandeville. Soon I learned that these communities had hustle and bustle and traffic too. Three years ago my professional career took a turn for the better and my office moved to Pearl River. My morning and evening commute became a leisurely drive on country highways avoiding red lights until I get to my office.
For me, these are my two examples of "another way". Perhaps you have gone another way too. We all have our back road shortcuts and when we are on vacation we may get off the Interstate and drive the more scenic highways and byways.
As people of faith, seeking Jesus in our lives will help us live "another way".
Let's recap where we have been, where we are and where we are going. We began our celebration of the Christmas season just a little over a week ago and find ourselves still celebrating Christmas. Today we arrive at the Feast of the Epiphany. Many of us might recall when this feast day was always celebrated on January 6th and the Epiphany was synonymous with Twelfth Night, King cakes and Little Christmas. Traditionally the 6th of January is still celebrated as the Epiphany but in our current liturgical calendar it is transferred to a Sunday. Epiphany is a word that literally translated means to make manifest. Three events in the life of Jesus are said to be His manifestation for the whole world: The Epiphany, The Baptism of Jesus, and the Miracle of changing water into wine at the Wedding Feast of Cana.
The Epiphany recalls that day when the wise men, traveling from the east and following a star come to the house of Jesus. We do know that the wise men brought three gifts; gold, frankincense and myrrh. We do not know if there were only three wise men or many more although tradition names three: Balthazar, Caspar and Melchior. We do not know if these wise men arrived in Bethlehem soon after the birth of Jesus, or sometime later, perhaps months, if not years. What we should recall here is that these men of Gentile origin faithfully followed a star having studied the Scriptures and prophecies to find the newborn King of the Jews. Their intent was do Him homage while offering their gifts to the child.
We notice the encounter the wise men have with Herod who had nothing but evil designs for this newborn king. The wise men are told to search diligently for this child and then later, in a dream they are told not to return to Herod but return home by another way.
For us gathered here today what lessons should we learn from the Epiphany and how does it relate to our lives as we begin the New Year? Again we can follow the example of the wise men: they read and believed God's Word, they sought Jesus diligently, they offered Jesus their finest gifts, humbled themselves to worship Jesus, and followed God rather than man by returning home another way! We can do these things too!
Do we read and believe what God's Word tells us. Do we even read Scripture every day? Do we seek Jesus diligently? Is Jesus our ultimate goal and our heart's desire? Do I let a single day pass where I do not seek Him? We may not have gold, frankincense and myrrh but do we give Jesus our finest gift? Do we give Jesus our all, do we share with Jesus our presence? Am I humble enough to worship Jesus? Do I avail myself of the many ways we can worship Him right here; daily Mass, monthly Adoration and Benediction, stopping by when the Church is open and just being with Him? And does our encounter with Christ allow us to live our life by returning another way? What would be another way? Do I live my life for Christ by being Christ to the poor and homeless, do I go another way to be present to the hospitalized, the lonely living in a nursing home, the immigrant and the inmate? Do I live for Christ by being Christ to the marginalized, the hopeless and the unloved. Having searched for Jesus diligently and making Him King and center of our life, we manifest that relationship by that other way, so that we are hope to the hopeless and light to those in darkness.
My travels home and to work can certainly be considered another way, especially from the hustle and bustle of everyday living. Living fully with Christ and for Christ is also another way, that leads us to eternal happiness!
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