Merry Christmas(tide)!
the feast of the Epiphany
Announcements for January 1, 2022:
Our young adult group (ages 18-39) will meet for a night of prayer and fellowship on Friday, January 7th. Let me know if you'd like more details.
A new Bible study will begin on January 11th. Registration forms should be returned to the parish office this weekend - materials will be ordered on Monday, 1/3.
Visit the OLMC Parishioner Portal for all of our recent announcements.
If you need anything at all, please be in touch with me.
Dear Saints,
Christmas greetings!
For Mass this weekend, we get one of the iconic Gospel readings of the season, recounting the magi's journey from the East to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and beyond.
God's manifestation (which is what the word epiphany means) of himself to the Gentiles reveals his intentions for the world: Jesus' rescue operation is to include all peoples.
The magi's journey jumpstarts our meditation on the Epiphany, but more on that after their appearance in one of my favorite Christmas carols:
The great Epiphany hymn, We Three Kings
My reflections on the magi always give rise to a similar set of questions. I think they're worth asking at least annually:
Will I, with the magi, pursue Jesus? Will I go to the ends of the earth to find him, my true king?
Will I offer my most treasured possessions - turning over my heart and life - to Jesus?
Having done Jesus fitting homage, has my encounter with him changed my life's course (departing for [my] country by another way)?
In light of what has been a disorienting end to Anno Domini 2021, I'd say that asking and answering these questions has never been more important.
My dear friends, I look forward to seeing you - and celebrating God's New Year with you - very soon!
Christ's Peace,
Father Daniel
δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ
PS If you're looking for resolutions, here's one that has served me well: Read the catechism in a year.
Preparing for Mass?
Check out this weekend's readings:
The Epiphany of the Lord
Adoration of the Magi (Detail)
Gentile da Fabriano, 1423