When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” // Matthew 2:1-2

Have you ever experienced a time when an aspect of faith clicked in your mind, and you felt awe?

I was sitting towards the back of a dimly lit hotel ballroom while a theologian was explaining the correlation of the book of Revelation and the Holy Mass when my hands unexpectedly shot up in the air and frantically waved around. I didn’t have a question. I was just so mind-blown at what was being spoken and the fact that it actually made sense to me that my involuntary gesture was actually me communicating that I needed him to slow down because it was all so amazing!

The mysteries of God are seemingly incomprehensible, and yet He makes them alive and tangible to us through faith. The magi, although not Jews, believed the prophecy about the Newborn King of the Jews and followed a star until they laid eyes upon Him. As an act of faith, they came bearing gifts, believing that at the end of their journey, they would lay them down before Him. In joy at the revelation of the Child, they worshiped Him.

Faith takes us on unexpected journeys, introduces us to obstacles that are possible to endure, and emboldens us to seek the Christ Child. Ultimately, faith leads us to worship.

As we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord, we come to Jesus with joyful and expectant faith, ready to receive and ready to worship.