$50 in Small Bills Stuffed in Christmas Card Envelope!
This Sunday, the church celebrates the Epiphany of our Lord Jesus to the nations. This celebration calls to mind the revelation of the Word made flesh to all peoples other than the Jews. God loves all peoples, and all have access to his Divine Light and Love. We all are part of the new Jerusalem whom the glory of the Lord shines upon.” The light shines, and “Nations shall walk by this Light, Prophet Isaiah says in Isaiah 60:1-2). The Gentiles along with the Jewish people are now sharers in the mystery of the revelation; we are “coheirs, members of the same body and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel,” St Paul reiterates (Eph. 3 5-6). We are embodied in the Magi who, “overjoyed at seeing the star,” followed in Faith, bearing gifts to offer Him and proceeded to pay Him homage (Matthew 2:1-12).
Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem, is the Light that shines on all. In appreciation, like the Magi, we have responded generously by giving our life and all we have to Jesus as we adore Him, especially during this Christmas season. And talk of appreciation, I want to mention briefly my sincere thanks to all of you for all the gifts and cards you sent to me. You are so precious and kind. I have been reading the messages in my many Christmas cards and they are inspiring. Many of you have opened your treasures like the Magi and offered the parish gifts in your Christmas offerings. An anonymous card in our collection box particularly touched me with the following words written in it, “What can I give Him, poor as I am?” Stuffed in this card is $50 in small bills; the giver, like all of you, must have saved towards this giving at Christmas. Thank you for your painful but cheerful giving.
I take this time to wish you a New Year filled with Light and Hope. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, help us by her prayers, the gift of a mother’s love.
Keep Merry throughout the Christmas Season and enter the New Year with Joy in your heart.
Love you all, Fr. Bernard, OP