The Light That Leads Us Home

The feast of the Epiphany reminds us that God’s light is never absent. Isaiah (Is 60: 1-6) speaks of a world covered in darkness, yet he announces that the glory of the Lord already shines upon us. The star that rose in the night sky did not remove the world’s shadows, but it offered a steady light strong enough to guide those who search and seek.

In the Gospel (Mt 2:1-12), the magi follow and trust that light. They do not know exactly where it will lead, only that it draws them toward something true. Their journey echoes our own. Faith often asks us to take the next step without seeing the whole road. What matters is not our sense of certainty but our willingness to keep turning toward the light God sets before us.

Saint Paul (Ep 3:2-3a, 5-6) tells us that this light is for all people. The mystery once hidden is now revealed, and all are welcomed into the same body in Christ. Epiphany is not only the story of wise travelers. It is the story of God opening wide the doors of grace to every nation and every weary pilgrim.

When the magi finally reach Bethlehem their long journey ends in simple worship. They offer their gifts and their hearts to the child they find in a manger. This is the invitation of Epiphany. To let the Lord’s light lead us, to surrender what we cling to, and to allow God’s presence to change the direction of our lives. Like the magi, we may return by another way, because encountering Christ always leaves us changed.

1.The magi set out without knowing their full destination. When have you taken a step of faith in a similar way?

2. Looking ahead to this coming year, is there a new journey you sense unfolding for you? In what area might you need to pivot or head in a new direction? How will you follow the light?

3.What “star” has guided you toward God in recent months, whether a person, Scripture, or moment of grace?