Fr Xavier Writes 7th January 2024
This year, quickly, the Christmas season comes to a close and we are already on the Epiphany Sunday this week. Even in this modern computer age, we are all so interested in stars, astrological signs and horoscopes even. In the process, all of us are pleased when we read that something spectacular will happen. On this Feast, the Magi’s journey across mountains and deserts, following the stars, echoes in our hearts. We are to follow our own star – a yearning deep down within our being for meaning, truth and happiness - an individual path in life which we alone are to tread.
When the Magi found the child Jesus, it was highly likely that they didn’t find any extraordinary sign to show with a halo over His head, clearly recognisable as God’s son. However, beneath the surface of appearances, they could recognise in this child, with their eyes of faith, God’s light that has come into this world. We, too, have been given the eyes of faith to keep us on course as we follow Christ along the way of life, across desert paths of loneliness, pain, failure and illness. Those Wise Men of yesteryear represent all of us on a spiritual adventure which goes on as long as life lasts. We are to be Wise Men for our day, making Jesus visible to the whole world as its Saviour and Redeemer.
Our special role is to make Jesus known along the pathways of life, by being open and receptive to his word. The Lord needs our commitment and the Wise Men did not come to the Lord empty handed, but with gifts specially chosen, which expressed the reason for their search; and neither must we come empty handed. We can bring ourselves, human beings, crafted into Christ. This gift of self could be more precious than that of those Wise Men.
Today, we should rejoice as we proclaim that Jesus came to save everybody and that His influence is not restricted to any one culture. Christmas is about making two journeys. The journey to Bethlehem and the way home by a different route. We are indeed making our journey home through life. Having found Bethlehem, let us hope that, at the end of life’s journey, we will be met once more by Jesus and Mary.
Have a great weekend and many thanks for all your gifts, both personally and through offerings, wishes in person and also in greeting cards, which I cherish and mean so much to me. God bless.
