From today's first reading: "Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise you eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you."
De La Salle (Med. 96.3, for the Feast of the Epiphany): "Recognize Jesus beneath the poor rags of the children whom you have to instruct; adore him in them. . . May faith lead you to do this with affection and zeal because these children are members of Jesus Christ. In this way this divine Savior will be pleased with you, and you will find him because he always loved the poor and poverty."
On the Feast of the Epiphany, we celebrate the manifestation of Jesus as God and savior to the entire world. A great celebration with light, joy, and fine riches, as the first reading details. But De La Salle reminds us that we should see riches and radiance every day. They are our students, in whom we should recognize Jesus, for they are members of the savior. What joy and wonder we are called to show when the children entrusted to our care return to campus on Tuesday! May your week be filled with the glory of the Lord in your classroom, your heart overflowing with light and love, as you begin this semester of teaching and learning with our students.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts!