Homily: Second Friday of Christmas

Second Friday of Christmas (Mk 1:7-11) “Do You See What I See?”

January 6th is the twelfth day after Christmas. It has traditionally been the date for the Feast of the Epiphany. Epiphany is one of major feasts that was moved to Sunday every year so that there might be a larger number of people who would attend Mass on that day.

Three Bible readings have been associated with the Feast of the Epiphany. We have the traditional story of the magi in the Gospel of Matthew, and we also have two passages from the Gospel of John. One of those readings concerns the Miracle at Cana when Jesus turned water into wine. The other reading relates the story of the Baptism of the Lord.

Why are these readings associated with Epiphany? Epiphany means manifestation. All three stories are meant to prove the divinity of Jesus. People see the signs and they come to believe who Jesus is. For the Magi, the star was the sign they saw in the sky and as we know they came to worship the Christ Child. The miracle at Cana was the first sign that Jesus performed in the Gospel of John. It was as display of miraculous power.

The Baptism account is remembered because as Jesus was baptized in the Gospel of John a voice is heard in the heavens which says, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am pleased.” This was a direct statement by God declaring who Jesus was the Son of God.

What does the Epiphany have to do with our faith life? It is nice to hear these stories in the Scriptures, but could there be a more personal meaning to the Feast of the Epiphany? We might ask what events in our life have been a sign that Jesus was our savior?

I can point to events that I have experienced that have touched my heart and been aha moments. I remember being in Rome and watching the sun set, for example, and the rays of the Sun bounced off the gilded cross at St. Peter’s Basilica. It was a sign to me that God was with me. To have Epiphany moments there are two requirements. We must be open to such experiences, and we must have faith.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Have I had an Epiphany moment? When was it?

2.    Am I looking for a manifestation today? What sign am I being sent?

 Dear Parishioners,

          This weekend is the Feast of the Epiphany. We will have Gold, Frankincense, and Muir in the creche. Children will be encouraged to come to the creche at the end of Mass and take a piece of gold (candy). The three kinds will appear for the first time. This is what is known as the Feast of Little Christmas.

          After Mass the Christmas decorations will be take down. I would like to thank all those who decorated and are taking down and storing the decorations for another year. This is a huge undertaking.

          One Epiphany gift we received this week is that we now have the St. John the Baptist window that was in the Blessings Gift Shop mounted and placed in the new Gathering Space. It will help blend the old with the new. The new building continues to be on schedule.

          May Our Lady pray for us as we move into the New Year,

          Fr. Mark