the epiphany of the lord

Posted on by Cassie

The word “epiphany” means to make known.  On the Solemnity of Epiphany we celebrate Jesus being revealed to all the nations.

The Magi appear only in the Gospel of Matthew.  They are not called Kings and their number is not given.  Matthew understands them to be astrologers.  The Magi receive their revelation not from Sacred Scripture, but from the heavens.  They discover a star.  It was common belief of antiquity that a new star marked the birth of a ruler.  For Matthew, God not only reveals through Sacred Scripture and dreams but also through nature.  The astrological sign will lead these Gentile Magi out of pagan superstition and worship into an encounter with the King of the Jews who is Jesus.

The Magi challenge contemporary Catholics in at least two ways.  First, they represent people who are seeking the Lord right in our midst.  We need to ask ourselves what we are doing to help the alienated, the lonely, the rejected, or the confused among us who, like the Magi, are looking for Jesus.  If we do not act, they may not find Him.

Second, the simple, risk-taking quest of the Magi threatens our complacency.  If we seem to have stopped in our spiritual tracks, their example might help dislodge us and overcome our inertia.  We, too, must find Jesus and worship Him.

On the Feast of Epiphany we worship the King of all nations.  We worship God as the God of all creation.

God Bless,

Msgr. Powell

 

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Posted on by Cassie

This account of Jesus’ adolescence is the only passage in the Gospels that speak about  Jesus’ life between His birth and His Baptism by John the Baptist.  The center of the narrative is verse 49: “did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”  The passage can also be translated “involved in my Father’s business” or “about my Father’s work.”

For the first time in the Gospel, Jesus calls God “my Father.” No matter which translation you use, the key idea is that as Gods’ Son, the purpose and goal of Jesus’ life is in relationship to His Father and in obedience to His will.

The account is filled with the anguish, confusion and shock experienced by a parent with the first harsh realization of adolescent independence.  Jesus seems pulled between the compliant obedience He owed His parents and a higher calling  involving His unique relationship with God.

It is difficult for us to simultaneously grasp the humanity and divinity of Jesus.  Our images of Him usually reflect one or the other aspect of His identity, but rarely both.  Today’s reading weaves the two dimensions together and gives us a great deal to ponder.

Luke tells us something important about the hidden years of Jesus’ life.  He tells us that Jesus ”grew and became strong”; “he advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.”  He was obedient to Joseph and Mary.

In that Holy Family God prepared His Son to save us from sin and open the gates of heaven for us.  That remarkable Holy Family is an example of love and obedience to God’s will which each and every family of our parish should imitate.

HAVE A HAPPY CHRISTMAS WEEKEND!

 

4th sunday of advent

Posted on by Cassie

As we get ready to celebrate Christmas, the Church has us read the story of Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth. There was no easy way for Mary to travel from Nazareth to Judea.  The most direct route was very hilly, and took one through hostile Samaria.  The more level route along the Jordan Valley meant a climb from Jericho to Jerusalem through the Judean wilderness, a haven of robbers.  Yet Mary sets out on her journey without hesitation.

The Holy Spirit inspires Elizabeth to grasp what God is doing through Mary, and Elizabeth hails Mary as specially blessed by God.  Mary is blessed because she believed that what was “spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”  Mary is the model for us of believing and acting on God’s word.

It was a journey of faith for Mary.  Gabriel had told Mary of two children conceived each in his special way: John and Jesus.

In this meeting of Mary and Elizabeth, the elderly Elizabeth represents God’s work among the people of ancient Israel.  Mary represents the new work that God will do in the sending of the Messiah.  In Elizabeth, the old esteems the new; in Mary, the new honors the old.

What better message for us to think about as we get ready to celebrate Christmas.  Mary is the model of discipleship for us.  After receiving the good news, she hastens to share it with another.  She is full of gratitude for all that God is doing within her.  She surrenders her life to God’s plan.

As we once again receive the Good News of the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas morning,  let us, like Mary, hasten to share it with others.  Let us be grateful to God for all He has done for us.  Let us surrender our life to God’s plan as did Mary our Mother.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!

Msgr. Powell