Dear friends,
The Feast of Epiphany is the celebration of the visit of the Magi from the “land of sunrise”, the Kingship of Jesus and the universal salvation offered to all who receive the Son of God in their hearts. With the visit of the Magi, Jesus Christ is proclaimed as the King of the Universe. In other words, Epiphany constitutes the first recognition and celebration of the Kingship of Jesus and His revelation to the Nations.
Epiphany is also the celebration during which we bless our homes. Welcoming Jesus in our homes and letting Him bless them by His presence gives us the confidence that we are entering the New Year with the Lord and He will be the Host in our home.
Today I invite and encourage each household to be mindful about getting their home blessed and consecrated to the Lord. For the blessing, we mark the lintels of doorways with chalk. For 2020, the markings are 20 + C + M + B + 20. The letters of these markings bear two meanings or references : first they represent the initials of the magi’s names, and they are written between the numbers of the year, all separated by four crosses : the magi are known as Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. Secondly, they constitute the Latin abbreviation for “Christus Mansionem Benedicat,” which is a prayer that means “Christ Blesses this House”.
Please take the opportunity to bless or to have your house blessed. Blessed chalk and Holy water will be available after masses at the Church doors.
Below is the prayer to use for the blessing of the house.
After signing themselves, the Lord’s Prayer and the marking of the lintels of doorways, the leader says this prayer of blessing:
Lord God of heaven and earth,
you revealed your only-begotten Son to every nation
by the guidance of a star.
Bless this house
And all who inhabit it.
Fill us with the light of Christ,
that our concern for others may reflect your love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.
The leader concludes the rite by signing himself or herself with the sign of the cross and saying :
May Christ Jesus dwell with us,
keep us from all harm,
and make us one in mind and heart,
now and forever. Amen.
And let us continue to pray for one another and for our parish family as to see in each one of us the face of Jesus coming to visit us.
Fr. Emery