Offering Gifts throughout 2012

The Feast of the Epiphany is a great reminder of the gifts we are called to offer Christ. Pope John Paul II in preparation for World Youth Day in 2005 wrote:

The gifts that the Magi offered the Messiah symbolized true worship. With gold, they emphasized His Royal Godhead; with incense, they acknowledged Him as the priest of the New Covenant; by offering Him myrrh, they celebrated the prophet who would shed His own blood to reconcile humanity with the Father.

My dear young people, you too offer to the Lord the gold of your lives, namely, your freedom to follow Him out of love, responding faithfully to His call; let the incense of your fervent prayer rise up to him, in praise of His glory; offer Him your myrrh, that is your affection of total gratitude to Him, true Man, who loved us to the point of dying as a criminal on Golgotha.

I recently gave a reflection to students about how we can offer our gifts of Gold, Fankincense and Myrrh.  It made me think also of how we can offer these kinds of gifts to Jesus throughout the year.  Consider offering Jesus the Gold of your life (your talents and gifts) this year.  Offer Him the Frankincense of a life devoted to prayer.  Turn off your electronics and take a little more time each day this year to be in relationship with Jesus.  And, finally, Myrrh- we can offer Him our little sacrifices that help us to die to ourselves so we can model His death on the cross.

I pray that your 2012 is filled with many blessings and graces for you, your ministry and your family!  The Feast of Epiphany is a great way to reflect on how we can live this whole year by giving ourselves to Christ and our neighbor.