I remember getting a wake up call when my boss fired me.

Sure there were warning signs, comments made, meetings I wasn’t invited to - but I didn’t want to think about these things - because they were difficult and unpleasant 

In hindsight, it would have done a world of good if I had - 

Being more aware of who we are and what our place is in the world is nothing but beneficial to us and those around us.

That’s why I like this season called ‘Epiphany’ - this season of revealing - the revelation of truth - 

Epiphany is when we stop hitting the snooze button every time we get a wake up call.

It’s when we see that embracing our whole - especially the unseemly bits - is where the real growth, learning, and ultimately, fulfillment comes from.

On Sunday we’ll hear the familiar story of the Three Kings - 

This story wakes us up to a number of realities -

Certainly with 3 Kings following a star - reveals to us the reality of divine guidance-

When King Herod tries to find the baby - it’s to the reality of wicked and oppressive forces that are working to harm - not just in their world, but in ours

It’s revealed in Joseph and Mary - those two nobodies from nowhere - that everybody, no matter how insignificant we feel we are, has a vocation. 

I think that last bit is really important today - because there’s a lot of apathy out there - a lot of people asking, ‘Hey, does my life matter?’

This magical story reminds us that our relationship with our vocation - with our unique calling - is like a relationship between a father and a son - or a mother and a son: if dad doesn’t show up for that kid, if mom doesn’t show up for that kid - no one else can or will - the job of a parent is irreplaceable - and so are we in God’s world - doing the work that only we can do.

So this Epiphany, let it be revealed to us anew how important we are to God and to the world around us -

That the Divine is invisibly working to keep us from harm - 

And that guidance from above will come - stars do appear - may we have eyes to see.