January 5, 2014

Bulletin January 5, 2014

Epiphany of The Lord A readings

Isaiah 60: 1-6; Ephesians 3: 2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2: 1-12
Do I see God in the world today? Do I see God in my world today? Do I realize that the feast of the Epiphany is the ‘star shining’ to show God’s saving power continually at work to bring all people to Him? Do I feel that since I am a Catholic and a Christian and a priest that I have it made with God that my journey to be with the Lord is assured? I and each person are on a journey, a journey to heaven where each person meets the Lord face to face and are with the God forever. Each person is ‘guided’ but not by the star the magi followed but by the light of faith. Do I realize that my faith is a gift...that it can be deeply hindered by my foolishness and could definitely be lost by my preferring ‘me’ to God? Today’s feast puts my journey more into light.
The word Epiphany means a manifestation or revelation. Literally it is a ‘drawing back of the veil’ of the great mystery of the universe that Jesus, the Christ and Savior came not only to the Jews but to the Gentiles. So who are the Gentiles and for whom is the message meant?
Today’s passage from Isaiah comes near the end of his book and his message has reached its high point. Isaiah has been emphasizing that the people must have a deep faith in God. The people resisted; the kingdom had collapsed and Jerusalem was in ruins. Now the people were returning to Jerusalem, deliverance has come, there is hope. God has renewed the covenant with His people and they are to be God’s light to all the nations.
Now from the Jewish perspective the word that is translated as ‘Gentiles’ means both ‘nations’ and ‘non-Jews’. To them one was either a Jew or a ‘gentile’. Paul is saying that the Spirit has revealed a great mystery: “It is God’s will that all people should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. This is the theological meaning of the feast. God invites all, Jew and Gentile, to share on an equal footing the benefits of the salvation won by Christ. It stresses the perfect equality of all men and women. In Christ all have become part of the one body.” (Flor McCarthy-- New Sunday and Holy Day Liturgies). So am I special...yes; are all people special...yes; are all loved in an individual special way by God...yes! So what am I doing with this love?
The gospel from Matthew brings out an urgent message for my ‘cockiness’: the manifestation of Jesus as the newborn king of the Jews is rejected by those for whom it was intended, but accepted by foreign Persian astrologers for whom it was not intended. Matthew wants to know why this happened. He shows the ignorance of King Herod and the wisdom of these foreigners. Matthew is writing to a Jewish audience (a group that should ‘know better’) and this theme continues throughout: the people who should rejoice over the presence of Jesus will reject Him; while those who seemingly are ignorant of Jesus will accept Him.

The Jews were very privileged...I am been very privileged. God revealed Himself to them through the Scriptures...God has revealed Himself to me through the Scriptures, Jesus and the Catholic Church. Matthew contrasts the faith of today’s pagan visitors and the unbelief of the Jewish leaders both civil and religious. So as Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Be not unbelieving, but believe.’ Fr. Flor McCarthy gives a wonderful reflection for me to ponder: “The story of the Magi has great relevance for us because we too are on a journey—a journey of life. We too are following a vision. As the Magi were guided by the light of a star, we are guided by the light of faith. Their journey can serve as a model for our journey of faith.

However, we have one great advantage over them. We already know Christ, and have encountered Him in faith. Christ, the light of the world, is the ‘star’ we are following. Nevertheless, the fact that we haven’t seen Him face to face means we haven’t yet arrived at our final destination. The fact that we have faith doesn’t mean we know all the answers. We are still searching, still travelling onwards.

We must not be surprised if we have doubts, and if we encounter difficulties. Faith doesn’t guarantee an easy journey, only a meaningful one. The Magi’s journey was one of searching and questioning, of pain and joy, of fear and hope. The faith journey contains elements of all of these.

The Magi did not journey as individuals. They had each other. They formed a little community of believers. We too have a community to support us in our faith journey.

May the lamp of faith never fail us. May its light see us thought the darkness of this world, until we reach the heavenly Bethlehem where we shall see Christ in glory.”
I see this feast as a reminder to continue to grow this gift of faith. Long ago I was told that faith grows: ‘through prayer, study and action;’ three simple words but each one containing a powerful message. I can say ‘tomorrow I can work on these’ but tomorrow (heaven) only comes about if I work on these today. John Dunne once said, “No man ever saw God and lived. And yet, I shall not live till I see God; and when I have seen Him, I shall never die.” Beautiful but still there is my work that I have to do. I read a sign on a church billboard:

“MEMO:

Gone to the Father’s home to prepare a place for you.

Will be back soon to pick you up.

Jesus
So I reflect on the urgency of the above message and the work set out before me:

• What changes do I hope to see in my world this year? What changes would I like to see in myself?
  
• Do I search for Jesus in my life each day? What happens when I find Him where I least expect?
  
• The Magi trusted the star to guide them...am I as trusting in the Lord and journeying with Him?
  
• God’s plan for me is to be in heaven with Him; do I have the same plan as I look back on my day today?
  

Sacred Space 2014 shares:
“The Magi, three pilgrim astrologers of the East, follow a star in search of the divine. God chooses to reveal Himself to outsiders, strangers, and foreigners. I learn that in the kingdom of God there are no outsiders. There is no discrimination.
What star am I being called to follow this year? What gifts from my treasure chest will I offer Him in service of His mission? Lord send me out each day to be a bearer of Your love to all whom I encounter.”

The three magi gave the best gifts they could possibly give to the infant Jesus. If Jesus were born today, what gift would I bring? In my life today, Jesus was there a lot, did I give any presents or not, did I hoard any?