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January 7, 2022Today, January 7th, we continue our reflection on what Epiphany means for us in our present time. How is God’s light shining on us and through us so that others see the light of Christ shining in our words and actions. This is the way we witness to our faith, how we respond to the needs of others. In the Gospel from Luke, 5:12-16, Jesus meets a man full of leprosy who pleads, ‘Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.’ Lepers were excluded from all society, especially from the worshiping community. Jesus knows that if he even touches him, he himself will become unclean. It is a risk for Jesus to respond, but he decides to break the law to heal this man. He responds and touches him with love and healing. What a witness! Jesus also shows respect for the law by telling the man to show himself to the priest that he has been healed.
We may meet someone like the leper, a marginalized person in society, who needs us. It may cost us something to respond to him or her. We have a decision to make just like Jesus, should we get involved? That is the moment when the ‘Epiphany’ happens for us and for those around us who are looking to see what we will do. For example, we may live in a protected and comfortable neighborhood and learn that a home is being built for recovering addicts very near our border. Will we be first in line to sign a petition to prevent building the home so near us, or welcome this opportunity to be nearer to people who need a home? Or do we have difficulties with the Church’s pro-life stand “from the womb to the tomb”? Or we overhear friends complaining about the behavior of a marginalized person. Do we speak up on behalf of people who struggle for personal respect in society? How we respond to these challenges lets the light of Christ shine brighter in our society. Let the Light of Christ give us the courage to witness to our faith by welcoming the marginalized and needy and speak kindly. Others will be enlightened by our witness.
