9781644135945

The Light of the World
Our participation in the sacrificial offering of the Church consists of more than words and
prayers. What we do in the Offertory procession of the Mass and in the Consecration is merely
a beginning, the first step. We should continue our self-offering, but in a different way. The three
kings who offered the gifts in Bethlehem returned home “by a different way.” They became new
men; they broke with the old way which they had hitherto taken. The true co-offering of the
Mass creates a new spirit, a new man, who goes forth and offers every day to the Lord and Savior.
He recognizes the Lord in his brothers and sisters and in all with whom he comes in contact.
He opens the treasures of his heart and inspires the members of Christ with his love, his talent,
and his strength. He gives to those in need and freely opens his hand to share his goods. In the
spiritual and corporal works of mercy which he performs, one may discern the extent of his
sincerity at the Offertory of the Mass.
Prayer
Graciously regard, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gifts of Thy Church, in which gold, frankincense,
and myrrh are no longer offered, but He whom those mystic offerings signified is
immolated and received, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
Second Day in the Octave
For the reception of Communion, the liturgy for the feast of Epiphany places the words of the
three wise men on our lips: “We have seen His star in the East and are come with gifts to adore
Him.” These words take on a Eucharistic meaning.
“We have seen His star.” In the star the liturgy recognizes the Holy Eucharist. “We have seen
His star” in the celebration of Mass, in the reception of Holy Communion, and in the visits we
make to the tabernacle. The altar is our Bethlehem. By the light of faith we have been led here
and we have found Him. He is the Star of the East, the Eucharistic sun, from whom all life and
blessings proceed. “He that eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood hath everlasting life, and I will
raise him up in the last day. For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He that
eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood abideth in Me and I in him. As the living Father hath sent
Me, and I live by the Father, so he that eateth Me, the same also shall live by Me” ( Jn 6:55–58).
Christ is the source of all supernatural life and grace. Daily He enlightens us in the Mass,
in Holy Communion, and in our visits to the tabernacle. May the Eucharist be our star. Let
us turn our eyes to it often during the day. We should visit the tabernacle frequently in order
to study the star and to be enlightened and penetrated by its light. This is the crowning
point in the life of the three wise men: they have seen the star. May this good fortune be
ours daily. “We have seen His star . . . and are come with gifts to adore Him,” Jesus, our all,
in the Holy Eucharist.
We “come with gifts to adore Him.” In the light and strength of the star which has risen for
us early in the morning in Mass and Communion, the day will be filled with holy thoughts, holy
affections, and good deeds. The love aroused in our heart by the sacraments penetrates all our
deeds and bestows a priceless value on all our works. Every morning the Holy Eucharist will
enkindle in our hearts a greater and purer love. If we have adopted this attitude, every thought,
every deed, every sacrifice we make, becomes a gift which we may offer to the newborn child.
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