To be conformed to Christ is to be conformed to Christ crucified | PadreCast Solemnity of the Epiphany

What lead these men to Christ? It was the star. It was the sign in the sky, that God had placed there, to direct them on their journey to Truth.

Each of us in our lives need some type of guiding star. Some sign - some person - to direct us to Christ. We were all lead to Christ by someone else. . . .

It is the Lord's plan that a mother and a father be the first people to bring their children to Him. In a sense, they are to be the shining star that points to the manger. "This is where you will find the newborn King. This is where you will find your salvation." That is the responsibility of every mother and father.

But sadly, because of sin, we don't always shine that brightly. We don't always point in the right direction. That's where repentance comes in, of course.

You have to consider brothers and sisters - those who are married with children - the Lord will judge you on how you pointed to Christ. How you lead your children to the Lord. On some level, if you're anything like me, that should worry you. . . .

Now, the most important way that a husband and a wife can reveal Christ, can point to Christ, is their love for one another. Not their love for their children.

Your relationship as husband and wife, your marriage, is a sacramental bond that is meant to reflect the love Christ for the Church. The Church has always called you a "domestic church". You're a little church. And the way you love each other reveals the Truth, reveals the Way, to your children. That's why you said those vows: I will love you I good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, till death do us part. Ultimately because of sin, your love for your spouse will require you to be crucified. That's what spousal love does. To be willing to lay down your life for your spouse, even when they want you dead. That's the perfect way in which you can model of the love of Jesus Christ. In fact, you can be an even more perfect model of Jesus Christ when you spouse doesn't like you. And you're patient with them. And you forgive. And you continue to love, and you're generous, and you serve.

That's when you shine all the brighter the love of Jesus Christ to your children. . . . that is what is required of us. To be conformed to Christ is to be conformed to Christ crucified.

 

So I thought it was a good idea, on this feast of the Epiphany, for our married couples to renew their wedding vows to remind yourself that you're to serve one another. You're to love one another as Christ loves us, His Bride, the Church.

 

 

Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13: Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12

 

you may watch the Mass in its entirety on our YouTube channel. Homily begins at 22:01