Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord is the last big celebration of the Church’s Christmas season. The word “epiphany” means “manifestation” in Greek. This is the day when we commemorate the Lord being manifest to the magi from the East as a newborn King. Led by a star, they found him with his mother and foster father and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold acknowledges Christ as a King. Frankincense professes that he is God. Myrrh recognizes him as man, a human being like us.

For us, the gold we can offer Christ is our allegiance to him. His teachings are not always popular or convenient for us; follow- ing them in all circumstances shows that we are loyal members of his Kingdom. In the Lord’s Prayer we pray “Thy Kingdom come.” These words might be a good short prayer to say anytime we are faced with a decision that involves the teachings of Christ. Frankincense has been a sign of the Transcendent for many ages. The incense we offer is our faith. Of course, this means not only acceptance of a list of truths, but also a way of life. Prayer is paramount in our profession of faith. Living the sacramental life goes right along with prayer. We worship the Lord and we enter into communion with him as the Source of all that we have and all that we are.

Myrrh was a fragrant balm used to anoint bodies for burial. It is an acknowledgment of the humanity of Christ. As the Letter to the Hebrews (4:15) tells us, he was like us in all things but sin. Our myrrh is our acceptance of the joys and sorrows, the possibilities and limitations, of our humanity in union with the Lord. He knows what it is like to be us, because he is one of us. Remembering that he is our Brother sheds wonderful light on the dignity of each human person.

Wise persons still seek him. Today we join the magi in following the star to our Newborn King.

Gratefully Yours,

Mary's Advent

This year, the Fourth Sunday of Advent presents to us the gospel of the Visitation. Mary, having conceived Jesus at the moment of the Annunciation, went in haste to the home of her cousin Elizabeth. She went there to help Elizabeth, since the angel Gabriel had told her that Elizabeth was also expecting a child. The baby (John the Baptist) in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy at the sound of Mary’s voice, and Mary proclaimed her Magnificat, a joyful song of praise to the Lord.

That is how Mary’s Advent was: a time of serving others, bringing joy (and bringing Christ himself) to others, and prayerfully singing the praise of God. What a beautiful example for us! During this final week before Christmas we also can serve and help those who need our help; we can joyfully bring Christ to others; and we can prayerfully sing the praise of God. In all these ways, we prepare ourselves for a more complete coming of Jesus’ grace to our hearts and souls at Christmas time.

If your Advent practices are going well, that is great. If they have fallen by the wayside, it’s not too late to take them up again so that the last week before Christmas may truly be a holy time. The more we prepare for Christ during Advent, the more completely we will have Christ in Christmas; and the more we put Christ in Christmas, the more authentic and lasting joy we will experience during this season and beyond.

Gratefully Yours,

Going Vertical

I learned this expression at the weekly construction meetings I take part in. The builders talk about the construction that has to go on underground and with the foundation and slab for the building; and then, as they say, we “go vertical.” As you have seen, our Pastoral Center has gone vertical in a big way. The framing of the building gives all of us a clear vision of how large the new center will be. It's exciting!

This ties in well with the theme of the Third Sunday of Advent. Its nickname is “Gaudete Sunday.” Gaudete is the first word of the Entrance Antiphon for this day in Latin, and it means “Rejoice!” The full text of the antiphon is “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed the Lord is near.” (Phil. 4:4-5) Joy is a special theme for this day.

This is where it’s good to think of “going vertical” with our joy. Yes, we rejoice in the things around us; but let’s never forget what, and Who, is above us. By “going vertical” with our joy, we remember the meaning of this Advent and Christmas season. The Lord is near! May his joy live in us and pass through us to a world that longs for it.