From the Pastor's Desk: January 5, 2020

From the Pastor’s Desk:                                                                                                          
January 5, 2020
 
     Today, on the first Sunday of the New Year, the Church celebrates the great feast of Epiphany. The celebration of Epiphany, meaning "manifestation," commemorates the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation 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. His mission is to bring us salvation and His will is to introduce new realities that will dominate human hearts. It is very interesting to realize, that from the very beginning of His earthly existence, people responded differently to the rule of the King - Herod trembled but the Wise Men rejoiced.
 
     Even before Jesus can talk, He teaches us a precious truth about ourselves. In our hearts dwell two potential responses to the coming of such a King: Herod's or the Magi's. Herod had spent his life murdering, extorting, and building a personal kingdom ruled by his whims for his personal glory. His was pride, arrogance, selfish and self-centered life. By human standards he was well accomplished and many feared his presence. For his paranoid personality, revelation of Christ immediately becomes the threat. If Christ is not destroyed or discredited, it could spell the end of all his labors.
 
     The Magi, on the other hand, do not fear the demands that this new King will make on their personal lives. Instead, they rejoice to know that God's Savior is finally coming. Instead of hoarding and protecting their treasures, the fruits of their life's labors, they generously offer them to Christ as gestures of honor, respect, and allegiance. 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!”
 
     Whenever Christ enters our lives, which He does every day through the voice of conscience, the teachings of His Church, and the designs of Providence, we must choose in whose steps we will follow, Herod's or the Magi's. Will we tremble, afraid of what Jesus may demand of us? Or will we rejoice, glad to have such a glorious Lord to follow? 
 
     We have both possibilities in our hearts - we are potential Herods, and we also are potential Magi.
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)
 
     The feast of Epiphany in our parish invites us to celebrate the Annual Ethnic Fair. After the 11:00 am Sunday Mass in the parish hall, members of different ethnic groups from our parish will share some of the finest examples of their cultures and tradition. Please come and join us in our celebrations!
 
     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 “holy moments” giving ourselves totally to God!
 
With prayers,
Fr. Andy