From the Desk of Deacon Dave, O.F.S.

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

May the Lord give you His peace!

This weekend the Christmas season approaches its end with the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. Today’s feast celebrates the epiphaneia – that is, the appearance and manifestation – of God in the form of a human person, Jesus of Nazareth. The Magi, traveling a far distance (likely from Persia), paid homage to the infant King of kings. They represent the first of the Gentiles, non-Jewish persons, brought into the family of God through the Christ Child. In the second reading of today’s liturgy, St. Paul writes of the “mystery” that, with the Jews, “the Gentiles are co-heirs, members of the same body,” the Church. The “catholic” nature of the new covenant would, of course, prove to be a source of consternation and conflict, just as the questions asked by the Magi would provoke King Herod to jealousy and rage. Without doubt, Jesus was the Jewish Messiah, but He was also the Messiah of all people of all times and places forever!
We are so familiar with the story of the Magi that it is possible to be dulled to the paradox of wealthy, educated spiritual leaders and wise men from the East bestowing precious gifts upon a Jewish baby in a humble home with a dirt floor. Was the star enough to convince them of this baby’s importance? In his 2007 homily for this feast day, Pope Benedict XVI said there was something more. “In comparison with King Herod,” he said, “beset with his interests of power and riches, the Magi were directed toward the goal of their quest and when they found it, although they were cultured men, they behaved like the shepherds of Bethlehem: they recognized the sign and adored the Child, offering Him the precious and symbolic gifts they had brought with them.” 
What the Magi recognized, by God’s grace, was the presence of glory, light and splendor, cradled in the arms of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Today’s Old Testament reading from the prophet Isaiah describes how darkness and thick clouds “cover the peoples” – the nations of the earth – but that light has come to Jerusalem, “the glory of the Lord shines upon you.” Many of the Jews rejected the light, just as some chose to walk in it, as did Mary and Joseph. Nations, rulers, women and men then and now choose either to see the splendor or to retreat into the darkness.
In his three-volume work entitled Jesus of Nazareth, in the volume on the Infancy Narratives, Pope Benedict stated that, “Unlike the Magi of the Gospel who were guided by the light of a star, a celestial phenomenon, we must allow ourselves to be guided by the light of faith, the faith revealed to us and given to us by the Lord Jesus Himself and entrusted to His Church until His return in glory at the end of time.” 
What a splendid new year’s resolution for us all to consider: to stand firm in our Catholic faith! To not allow ourselves to become confused and lost in the sea of conflicting ideologies, values and viewpoints surging and swirling all around us that are contrary to the teachings of Christ and His Church. To keep the eyes of our minds and hearts focused intently on Christ and His Gospel.
May we find inspiration and guidance in the words of the Collect (opening prayer) for the Vigil Mass of Epiphany which reads: “May the splendor of your majesty, O Lord, we pray, shed its light upon our hearts, that we may pass through the shadows of this world and reach the brightness of our eternal home. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.” AMEN!
With a brother’s love in the Lord and Mary Immaculate,

Deacon Dave, O.F.S.
T    In Persona Christi Servi