From the Pastor's Desk: January 3, 2021

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany – the “manifestation” of the Lord that commemorates the coming of the Magi as the first demonstration of Christ to the Gentiles. The feast proclaims that Jesus came to save and bring life to all. No one is excluded; no one is a stranger to Him. The angels revealed Jesus to the shepherds and the star revealed Him to the Magi. In truth, the Epiphany reveals the true identity of Jesus as God and King.

“And when they came into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” (Mt 2:11)

The Magi came to Jesus with hands full of gifts. The generosity of their gifts, however, goes far beyond their value. They reflect something far more significant – their character. The character of these gifts is one of genuine love – love for God and one another. They reflect the character of the greatest gift ever given – Christ Jesus, Himself, as “God so loved the world…”

So, in giving we enter into a relationship between the one who gives and the one who receives.  When the Magi encountered the Christ-child, they worshiped Him: “On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage.” Worship is an expression of a relationship at its deepest. However, when we define the word worship, it has its center in how we relate to God; it is the very reason, Scripture tells us, that we were created.

We are created for relationships- a relationship with God and relationships with each other. Like the gift giving of the Magi, that’s what our gift giving to one another is all about. It is a tangible expression of relationship; although gifts are given out of love with no expectation of reciprocation, they do provoke a response. They are personal, and in the way we relate to each other, especially in our giving of gifts to each other, we exhibit how we relate to God.

Are we not perhaps all afraid in some way? If we let Christ enter fully into our lives, if we open ourselves totally to him, are we not afraid that He might take something away from us? Are we not perhaps afraid to give up something significant, something unique, something that makes life so beautiful? Do we not then risk ending up diminished and deprived of our freedom? And once again the Pope said: No! If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. No! Only in this friendship are the doors of life opened wide. Only in this friendship is the great potential of human existence truly revealed. Only in this friendship do we experience beauty and liberation. And so, today, with great strength and great conviction, on the basis of long personal experience of life, I say to you, dear young people: Do not be afraid of Christ! (Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, inaugural homily, 24 April 2005)

Like every healthy and authentic relationship to be able to sustain itself requires time that we spend with each other. Time is essential to let us know each other better, to appreciate one another more, as to be together offers incredible opportunities to help, to support, to care and to love. No different is our relationship with the Lord.

As of now, many of us have made some type of New Year resolution- and this is great. But how about to consider to read 153 words and spend 10 minutes per day for the first 21 days (or whenever you can start as soon as possible) of this month and make this our entire parish New Year resolution? In the gift that we offered to every parishioner this Christmas-”I heard God laugh” by Matthew Kelly – we still have plenty of books available – there is an outline of what he calls The Prayer Process. I truly want to challenge everyone this year – 153 words and 10 minutes per day – St. Luke Parish New Year Resolution! After all, don’t we all want to know Jesus better and create a solid, authentic, and honest relationship with Him and one another? What better way! So here we go!

May the gift of Epiphany brighten our lives to advance on our journey of faith this year. May it give us strength to respond with joy through our daily Prayer Process- creating a most beautiful relationship with Jesus and one another. 

With prayers,
Fr. Andy