Here we publish the second part of a three-part reflection by a ‘Pink Sister’ who prefers to be known to our readers as ‘A Hidden Pearl.’ The official name of the congregation is ‘Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration.’ There are Filipino Sisters on mission in Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia and Togo in addition to Sisters in Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and the USA.
Epiphany means manifestation, revelation. Christ says, ‘He who sees Me, sees the Father; and he who sees the Father, sees Me.’ Again, ‘the Father and I are one.’ Therefore, in faith we believe what the Son has revealed of Himself and of the Father. Like the Magi, we are led in our life of faith by the light of the Star. Faith guides us, faith enlightens us; faith leads us and gives us the certainty of the truth we believe in – JESUS IS LORD!
The Father revealed His Son when He says, ‘This is my Beloved in whom my favor rests.’ This faith-filled revelation took place in the Jordan when a voice from heaven was heard and the dove rested on Jesus, ‘This is my Beloved Son.’ This same revelation was repeated on Tabor, the mountain of the Transfiguration when this revelation took place in the presence of Peter, James and John. The Father reveals His only Son and His love for Him. The same Jesus is present on our altars. We, as His adorers and silent witnesses, reveal Him to those who come to adore and worship in our chapel. Our faith-filled immersion and contemplation truly reveal our Emmanuel, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Does our behavior make the Epiphany a reality?
What gifts do we bring when we come for adoration? The gold of love fit for a king; the incense of fragrant prayer worthy of the High Priest, and the myrrh of sacrifice united to that of the Royal Victim. Each day of our intense life of faith is a continuous epiphany of the Lord’s bounty, His providential care of each one of us. We are to reveal to the world our own ‘belovedness’ – in our life of adoration and contemplation, our apostolic intercession and our life of praise and thanksgiving.
I am the ‘beloved of the Lord’ – a continuing epiphany to the people of God – that I can remain secure, anxiety-free and serene because I am the beloved of Jesus. Nothing should upset me, nothing should worry me, nothing should frighten me. This will be a strong manifestation of my belovedness. Jesus desires nothing but my good. Therefore, whatever He sends, whatever happens, whatever He does – all are clear manifestations of this tremendous love for His beloved. Let us constantly and perseveringly follow the Star of Faith. It might dim momentarily, or disappear altogether or plunge us in darkness, but let us not be afraid, for even in darkness God is present. He will reveal Himself without fail to us His beloved in faith, hope and love.
From: ‘Hidden Pearl’
St Joseph’s Convent of Perpetual Adoration
AC PO Box 388
1135 Quezon City