Today on the Feast of the Epiphany we celebrate the revelation to the Gentiles that God has become incarnate in the person Jesus Christ. This revelation to the Gentiles is seen when, guided by the starts, the Magi or Wise Men bring gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh to the infant Jesus in recognition of his kingship.
In accordance with ancient tradition, today Fr Scot assisted by Br Tyson in a chanted blessing that takes a little under an hour, blessed Epiphany Water. Epiphany Water is Holy Water that has particularly powerful prayers of exorcism and blessing for use by the faithful.
This water is made available along with blessed chalk at Mary Immaculate Church for people to bless their homes, and like the Magi, to welcome Christ into it. Chalking and blessing our homes encourages us to dedicate our entire home and common life to God and is a wonderful way for families to celebrate the Epiphany and revelation of God becoming man for us.
The blessing can be done simply by writing the script 20+C+M+B+20 above the main door of the house or using a simple blessing such as the this one.
The letters have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the Three Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar who were sanctified by their adoration of the infant Jesus. They also abbreviate the Latin words “Christus mansionem benedicat,” “May Christ bless the house.”
