Epiphany and Transitions (again)
Dear Fellow Parishioners of Our Lady of Divine Providence Family of Parishes,
Happy Epiphany! Today we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany, which in many parts of the world, and historically in the ancient Church, was an even greater celebration than Christmas. ‘Epiphany’ means ‘manifestation’ and refers to Jesus manifesting Himself to the world as the Savior. Tradition tells us that when God’s people were brought into Babylon as captives, they shared their hope for the promise of the Messiah. Wise men remembered this prophesy and kept watch for His star down through the generations. When they saw His star, they brought Him gifts of gold, to acknowledge His kingly authority; frankincense, to worship Him as God; and myrrh, an embalming spice (strange gift for a baby!), to prepare for His sacrificial death and burial. The value of these gifts would have been in the millions of dollars. Tradition tells us that Mary invested the gold with Joseph of Arimathea, who then used it to buy Jesus’ tomb. This highlights that the poverty in which Joseph and Mary lived was intentionally chosen. They could have been rich, but they devoted all their riches to Jesus, which sets a good example for us. Also, the way that the Wise Men kept watch for the star, and followed the sign, is an example for us to keep watch, pray vigilantly, and to seek the light even in the darkness. We can learn many lessons from this Feast.
The birth and epiphany of Jesus marks the transition of the cosmos from suffering under the power of darkness to freedom in the Kingdom of light. Today, we also live in times of transition, which carry on the transition that Jesus initiated. Pope Francis said that we live not so much in an epoch of change, as in a change of epoch. When an entire epoch changes, everything has to change. Our pastoral planning process, Mass time changes, staff reorganization, and all the many ways that we are engaging the transitions of our time are all a participation in the dynamic of vitality and change. It is part of the meaning of the Incarnation and constitutes our mission here and now in our time and place. Embracing challenge is the key to dynamism and vitality when the entire world is in flux.
Speaking of challenge, I would like to invite all men to join a 90-day program that begins tomorrow, January 5, called Exodus 90.. This program teaches men in a particular way to embrace challenge and become truly free. I’ve done this program for four years now, and each year has been a new and renewed blessing. The program begins this week; look in this bulletin for more details.
By now, I’m sure everyone has seen the new Mass schedule, which will take effect the beginning of Lent. Again, this is one way we live out our responsibility to adapt and transition to meet the needs of our time. The Family Worship Commission did great work in coming up with the schedule. The same commission is also coming up with great welcoming and hospitality events to facilitate the unification process. They have done a great service to our Family of Parishes.
As we embrace together the transitions of our time, we become stronger. Let us cast out fear, and replace it with love, embracing every sacrifice with generosity, accepting the myrrh of mortification with gratitude, and putting the fragrant incense of love into all things that we do.
Yours in Christ, with Mary and Joseph,
Fr. Henry
