The Epiphany of The Lord

Dear Parishioner,

Why did Jesus become human? This is a question that is pertinent during the Christmas Season. When I was visiting the classrooms recently at Seton School I asked the students that question. I was given a variety of answers. One of the most frequent responses to that question was that Jesus came to die for our sins. Christian children have learned their lessons well. That answer is appropriate. Jesus, we say, is the sacrificial “lamb who takes away the sins of the world.” Somehow, I have never been quite at home with that theology even though it is very orthodox. A loving God who demands that his Son die seems a little disturbing.

There is another theology which says, “The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods.” In other words, Jesus became human so that each one of us might be divine. Where does this radical notion come from you might ask? Interesting enough it comes from the Catechism of the Catholic Church #461. And the person who wrote those words was Thomas Aquinas.

On Monday’s Feast of the Baptism of the Lord we remember the voice that came from heaven when Jesus was baptized. The voice that said, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.” We are also sons and daughters of God. He is well pleased with us. We show our affection by trying to be virtuous children of a benevolent God. It is good to reflect on the gift of our Baptism and the gift of our divinity as the Christmas Season ends. We remember that we are divine because death will never have the final word with us like it never had the final word with Jesus.

Merry Christmas,

Fr. Mark