Have you ever pleaded with God: “Send me a sign?” In some of the most difficult moments of life, we can find ourselves craving a sign from God telling us which direction we should go, or to offer us reassurance that all is well. The thing about signs is that we must look for them, and we must pay attention to what they tell us. If we are not paying attention, we may miss the sign that we are looking for. If we do see a sign, then we need to follow where it leads us. Of course, we also need to discern whether we are seeing a genuine sign or simply following our own imagination. There must be a standard against which we can measure our “sign’s” authenticity. The Magi were always looking for signs, it was their profession. They were something of a cross between astronomers and astrologers. They believed that the heavens tell us of things that will happen or are happening on earth. When they saw the star, they not only noticed it, but they also had an idea of what it meant, and they followed where they felt it was leading them. However, they needed something that would clarify the reality of what they experienced. It was Scripture that would confirm that they did indeed see a genuine sign and where they must go to find the One who was to be the endpoint of their journey. God does send us genuine signs, mostly and authentically in the things that He gave to us as the means by which we can encounter Him and find direction for our lives. Scripture, understood in the solid tradition of the Church, the Church’s teachings rooted in that Divine Revelation and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Sacraments which convey God’s life and love to us and the Blessed Sacrament which is Jesus Himself. Following those sure signs will lead us to a regular encounter with the same One the Magi encountered in Bethlehem - Jesus, the ultimate sign of God’s love. As we enter this New Year, may the Lord abundantly bless your homes with His Presence. May He lead us all ever more faithfully in His ways. Thanks again for all of your kindness and a Happy Epiphany!