Tag Archives: Feast of the Epiphany

Feast of the Epiphany

Homilies,

To watch Fr. Joe’s homily for the Feast of the Epiphany: CLICK HERE!

Thousands of years ago, all humanity was considered one family…  but as time went on and generations passed, the family tree expanded to the point that division became easier to notice than unity.

And we continue to see that division, instead of unity even till our day.  In religion, in politics, among nations, among groups, even in our families.

But then comes Jesus into the world…

Jesus who invites people to come together as ONE FAMILY…  No matter our politics, nationality, differences…

Jesus invites us to come together as ONE FAMILY….

2000 years ago, Jesus welcomed people from all positions of life: the educated and uneducated, the rich and the poor, those with social status and those without, the Jew and those who were not Jewish…

(Remember Jesus was not Catholic, he was a Jew)

Let me suggest that today’s Feast asks us to put on the attitude of Christ, to welcome others – who ever they may be – into our lives.  To see others as part of ONE family.

In the mail on Saturday came the “Growing in Faith” flyer we send to our Faith Formation families each month and I might add is also made available to the Parish in the Gathering Area of Church… In that flyer there was a short article entitled, “Give the Gift of Friendship in the New Year.”

Friendship is another way of welcoming people into our lives.  Friendship allows us to grow our families, not diminish them.

Friendship was what Jesus was offering all who came into his life.  Remember the Last Supper when Jesus says, “I call you friends”.

Friend

Look for common ground, accentuate the positive, become family.

May our friendships grow and our families grow as we WELCOME others into our circle of friends, into our family, into our church, into our nation and global world as Jesus did and asks us to do today in this time and place.

Feast of the Epiphany

Homilies,

Have you ever wondered how long of a Journey it was for the Magi who were in search of the “Newborn King of the Jews?”  Although there are many thoughts as to where the Magi came from, many suggest they came from Persia (present day Iran) on their way to Jerusalem.  A journey of at least 1000 miles that probably took 30 days.

And that was just one way!  And this was 2000 years ago, no trains, planes or automobiles. Imagine the effort involved in such a trip.  (And on top of that there was no GPS, no cell phone; no XM radio and so much less then we have today)

This idea of journey, of taking a trip, of visiting someone… got me thinking about the people that are part of our life: family, neighbors, friends.  People we are often separated from because of life and all that we have to do, because of distance, because we just do not have the time.

We all have family and friends that we have not seen or spoke with in a long time.  Maybe they live 1000 miles away or maybe they live 1000 feet away.

Yet the Magi began a journey far more challenging than any journey we will take in our lifetime.

This weekend, who might be the person or persons to whom we need to make a journey to?  To their home, make a phone call, even send a text or e-mail or whatever the medium we use for communication.

The Magi brought gifts to the child Jesus – Gold, Myrrh and Frankincense.  But maybe the gifts of time shared, a word of encouragement or prayer, an offer of help in some way are as valuable, maybe even priceless to the people of our everyday life.

I have to share a personal story about taking a journey that I was part of this past week.  A month ago, I contacted my 2 brothers and 2 sisters and suggested for New Year’s Day we all have dinner with Mother.  Now for me and 1 brother and 1 sister the effort and journey to do this was easy – we all live within 10 miles of mother.  But for one sibling the trip is 1,800 miles and an 8 hour flight and for another sibling the trip is 1,400 miles and a 6 hour flight.

Well, the gathering was meant to be.  Everyone came.  And Mother was happy to have all 5 of her children around her.  (I would suggest that was a pretty priceless moment and gift)

So, I think you get the point.  Maybe there is someone we need to visit, give a call, send a letter or e-mail.  Someone we maybe haven’t spoken with in a while or maybe someone we just thought about in recent days.  Someone who would be blessed by our gifts of time, presence, concern and prayer.

 May we be present day Magi who make the effort.

As the Chinese Philosopher – Lao Tzu says, “Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small.  A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”

May we take that first step today, this week, in our journey to connect or re-connect with family and friends and others into this New Year!

Feast of the Epiphany

Homilies,

Scripture Readings:      Isaiah 60:1-6;     Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6;     Matthew 2:1-12

If I may dare say so, I would guess we are all “SEEKERS.”  We are all on a journey.

Today, we hear about 3 Seekers; 3 people on a Journey; 3 Magi… who leave their home to follow a star that will lead them eventually to the Christ Child.

Talk about people of daring, talk about people of faith.   They allowed a star to guide them.     (No GPS…No Cell Phone…No SUV…No Hilton Reservations…)

Truthfully, would we set out on such a dangerous journey and allow ourselves to be let by a star???       (Probably not, we’d probably stay home and watch the Playoffs)

But, eventually the Magi did find Jesus, Mary and Joseph.  Our ancestors in Faith, who hopefully inspire our Faith, our daring, our generosity and our willingness to believe in God’s promises.

There is an ancient story that says the Magi were of three different ages:   Caspar was very young; Balthazar was middle-aged; and Melchior was a senior citizen.  When they arrived in Bethlehem, each entered the home of Joseph, one at a time.

When Melchior entered, he met an old man near his age, and they spoke together of memory and gratitude.

Balthazar encountered a middle-aged teacher who spoke passionately about leadership and responsibility.

When Caspar entered, he met a young prophet, and they talked about reform and promise.

After that the three of them entered together with their gifts.  There, they meet an infant with his mother.  Later they began to understand:  Jesus, the Savior, speaks to each of us at every stage of our life.

The elderly hear the call of integrity and wisdom.

The Middle-aged hear the call to generosity and responsibility.

The young hear the call to authenticity and intimacy.

Today we are reminded again of the call of the Lord is to us: the call to follow His lead, His way, His truth,  His life on our journey of life and faith, as person, family & Parish.