A Different Route

Epiphany at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery has a striking character; it is the day when we have our ‘house blessing.’ ‘Every heart’ here has striven to ‘prepare Him room,’ and every nun has cleaned her cell! Therefore it is a perfect time to join ‘heaven & nature’ in singing the glories of God and invoking the blessing of our newborn Savior. As prayers are prayed and carols sung through the hallways, the words of the Magi are apropos: “we have come to adore Him!” Like these noble men, countless Christians (and maybe you!) have sought out the Christ, have been led by the light of faith, and have found Him, not in a manger as they did, but abiding in the Eucharist. Such an encounter with God includes a call, an invitation. As Pope Benedict writes,

“’And they departed to their own country by another way" (Mt 2:12). The Gospel tells us that after their meeting with Christ, the Magi returned home "by another way". This change of route can symbolize the conversion to which all those who encounter Jesus are called, in order to become the true worshippers that He desires (cf Jn 4: 23-24)…Listening to Christ and worshipping Him leads us to make courageous choices ... Jesus is demanding, because He wishes our genuine happiness. …When we meet Christ and accept His Gospel, life changes and we are driven to communicate our experience to others.”

One such person who could perhaps identify with this call to live a life especially dedicated to God and His Gospel is our newest postulant, Sr. Christy. A bright new star in our midst, she entered on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 2010! Thank you for keeping her in your prayers as her great journey begins! And thanks be to God for the grace He gives to men and women such as her to make ‘courageous choices’ on behalf of the Church! May you be blessed with a new encounter with the Word made Flesh this Epiphany!