Feast of the Epiphany

How can you be the candle in your world? The light has come to shine on all people throughout the world, to guide them to the new life offered by Jesus. The light of Christ has come into the world! How can you be the candle in your world? Watch me!

In the gospel of Matthew, we hear the story of how some wise men from another part of the world were led by a star and travelled the long journey to Bethlehem, looking for Jesus. They found him in a stable.   After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east... And suddenly the star they had seen rising went forward and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:1, 9-12)

This is a day of real celebration… This day is an important one for people of every race and nationality, because the wise men represent God’s people throughout the world. The Son of God came into the world as a Jew, to give life to every member of the human race. No matter what our race, nationality, colour or religion, each of us is made in the image and likeness of God. For all of us, this is a day of real celebration – we, too, are chosen.

The Happy Happy Club! CAFOD works alongside people of all faiths and none, recognising all people as our sisters and brothers, equal members of our global community. CAFOD works with Buddhist monks in Cambodia who run a club for children called ‘The Happy Happy Club’.

“ Most of the children live in slums “ Most of the children live in slums...this club lets them be happy and helps them to make friends and play games”

“I like the Happy Happy Club because it makes me laugh!” Munny

Can you show thanks to Jesus for being the light of the world, by serving your sisters and brothers throughout the world. Copy the link below into your organisers and take a look at the CAFOD website in your own time. It gives you ideas on how to become involved and ways in which you could take a gap year between school and university to help those less fortunate than yourself. http://cafod.org.uk/Campaign/How-to-campaign/Ways-to-get-involved

Lord, the sight of the guiding star brought hope, courage and joy to those who journeyed to find you. When our journey seems long, when hope seems far away, when our courage is failing, fill us with faith and trust; shine your light on our fears, lift our hearts with your joy. Help us to recognise you in our brothers and sisters throughout the world; show us how we can work together, so that we may all come to share in the life promised to us by Jesus, the Saviour of us all. Amen.