The Epiphany of the Lord

Dear Parishioners,

We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar.

As far as I can remember, this popular carol, referring to the three kings from the East, has been sung annually during the Christmas season. The carol itself was written in the 19^th century by the Rev. John Henry Hopkins, Jr., an Episcopalian clergyman. Popular folklore has grown over the years regarding them, although the Sacred Scriptures dedicates only twelve verses to them in St. Matthew’s Gospel (Mt. 2: 1-12).

First of all they are actually called magi in the bible—not kings. Speculation has it that they were astrologers, although the term itself sometimes refers to a magician or a Zoroastrian priest. In any case, they were observing a star in their pursuit of the newborn King of the Jews. There is no mention that there are actually three of them, but the number of gifts seems to lead people to draw that conclusion.

With time the magi have been given names—Caspar (Kaspar), Melchior and Balthazar—although there is no biblical basis for this either. We are told that they brought three special gifts to the Christ Child—each seemingly with a unique significance: gold, frankincense and myrrh. While there are varied interpretations of the meaning of these gifts,  gold is usually seen as a royal tribute paid to a king, frankincense as a sign of divinity and myrrh as an embalming oil as a symbol of death or, perhaps, healing.

In the Roman or Latin rite of the Catholic Church, Epiphany (a manifestation) celebrates the revelation that Jesus was the Son of God. It focuses primarily on this revelation to the three kings, wise men or magi, but it also focuses on Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan and at the wedding feast at Cana. In the Eastern rites of the Catholic Church, Theophany—as Epiphany is known in the East—commemorates the manifestation of Jesus’ divinity at his baptism in the River Jordan.

What is the spiritual significance of this event known as the Epiphany?  According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

In the magi, representatives of the neighboring pagan religions, the Gospel sees the first-fruits of the nations, who welcome the good news of salvation through the Incarnation. The magi’s coming to Jerusalem in order to pay homage to the king of the Jews shows that they seek in Israel, in the messianic light of the star of David, the one who will be king of the nations. Their coming means that pagans can discover Jesus and worship him as Son of God and Savior of the world only by turning toward the Jews and receiving from them the messianic promise as contained in the Old Testament.  (Catechism of the Catholic Church, # 528)

In Spain, the Philippines and various other countries throughout the Spanish-speaking world, various traditions have sprung up surrounding the Three Kings with forms of gift-giving attached. In a European tradition, the initials of the king’s names are marked in chalk above the doors of homes (for example, C+M+B or K+M+B) as a blessing for the New Year. Other cultures celebrate the kings with a special ring cake concealing a figure of the baby Jesus inside.

No matter what traditions surround the celebration of the Epiphany, we need to remember always that Jesus Christ is King! 

O come let us adore Him!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

The "Holy Family" and the "Mother of God"

 

The Holy Family

Dear Parishioners,

On the Sunday after Christmas, the Church celebrates the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Family means a great deal to me. I have worked hard over the years to try to keep my family together, wherever and whenever it was possible. Spending time my brothers and sister and their families, especially around the holidays, continues to be a special gift to me. I realize that no family is perfect. We all have to deal with particular family issues and circumstances, varying problems and challenges, diverse personalities, etc. Yet, all of this is accompanied by multiple blessings.

Sometimes I think that certain people tend to idealize the Holy Family and forget the many difficulties and hardships that Jesus, Mary and Joseph had to endure. We read in the Sacred Scriptures that Mary was found with child before living with Joseph. He was initially going to divorce her quietly. (Mt. 1: 18-19) Then, there was no place for Jesus to be born in the lodgings of Bethlehem after Joseph and Mary (now in the final stage of her pregnancy) had travelled considerable distance. (Lk. 2: 4-7) As an infant, Jesus’ life was threatened by King Herod and His parents had to flee with Him to Egypt. (Mt. 2: 13-18) Joseph and Mary seemingly lost—could not immediately find—the boy Jesus during their pilgrimage to Jerusalem. (Lk. 2: 41-51) Mary later witnessed her only Son tortured and killed in front of her eyes. (Jn. 19: 25)

These were not quite the circumstances of a perfect, ideal life, were they? Through it all, Jesus, Mary and Joseph had each other and were bound together by mutual love and respect. They all greatly loved and trusted God, our Heavenly Father, and were obedient to His will as it was revealed and unfolded for them.

Today, problems within the family unit continue to exist—at a somewhat grand scale and pace. Various people question, with some even wanting to redefine, the traditional understanding of “family.” Family life as we once knew it in society seems to be eroding. I contend that we need to look at the Sacred Scriptures to see what they teach us (albeit ever so briefly) about the family life experienced by the Holy Family. Their obvious trust in God in difficult circumstances, their obedience to His will, and their fidelity to God and to one another are great examples for us all to follow.

In addition, on January 1st the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. While Catholics may use the term Mother of God regularly when praying the Hail Mary, some people may have questions about the meaning of this particular title. The Council of Ephesus (431) declared that the Blessed Virgin Mary is Theotokos or God-Bearer (in Greek). In the Latin Church, we use the term Mater Dei. Simply stated, our Catholic belief teaches that:

Although Mary is the Mother of God, she is not his mother in the sense that she is older than God or the source of her Son’s divinity, for she is neither. Rather, we say that she is the Mother of God in the sense that she carried in her womb a divine person—Jesus Christ, God "in the flesh" (2 John 7, cf. John 1:14)—and in the sense that she contributed the genetic matter to the human form God took in Jesus Christ. (Catholic Answers)

We should remember that the Blessed Virgin Mary is solely responsible for the genetic material for Jesus’ human body (in cooperation, of course, with the Holy Spirit) as St. Joseph was Jesus’ foster-father.

As we begin the New Year, I customarily entrust and consecrate my parish family (wherever I am pastor) to the care of the Blessed Virgin Mary on New Year’s Day. I give this parish and all of its parishioners over to the loving care of the Mother of God. I invite you to join me. I can think of no better way to begin the New Year. 

God’s blessings in the New Year!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Have a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Dear Parishioners,

Although it is still the Fourth Sunday of Advent this weekend, I take this time to wish you and your families a happy and holy Christmas season and a blessed New Year! (Unfortunately, we do not publish a bulletin specifically for Christmas day.)

Is it my imagination or does every year seems to go by faster and faster? As I get older, I wish that things would slow down a little! In my opinion, there seems to be a constant push to move on to the next thing without necessarily taking the time to appreciate the present. Enjoy the Christmas season!

In the Church, the celebration of Christmas lasts for eight days. The joy of this wonderful solemnity is too great to contain within a single day! We refer to this time as the Octave of Christmas. Most people not familiar with the liturgical calendar would probably be surprised to find out that the Christmas season actually extends to January 11, 2026—the Baptism of the Lord. Sadly, by then many will not be in the Christmas spirit any longer because of how early the commercial Christmas preparations begin. By the time Christmas arrives, people are ready to take down their decorations. The Christmas music will disappear. Many people often seem exhausted from all of the things that they feel pressured into buying or doing. 

With Christmas upon us, please try to keep Christ at the heart of the celebration. Society may tell us that we need to shop and exchange gifts, to cook, to clean the house, to party and to do other things. All of this seems to add to increased tension and lack of peace in peoples’ lives. Our faith tells us to pray and to ready our hearts for Christ. This spiritual preparation can bring us peace, happiness and joy that the world cannot give. What type of Christmas do we want to have? The choice is always ours to make.

This Christmas, I ask that you pray for a stronger faith in Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son of God.  As we get to know Him and fall more deeply in love with Him, we can begin to realize how He is truly here for us when everyone and everything else fails. He gives meaning and purpose to our lives. He gives us hope. He embodies love. He is love. Our Christian faith involves an intimate, personal relationship that God desires for us to have with Him. The celebration of Christmas is truly about Jesus and His tremendous, self-giving love for us. Christmas is all about love—Love that becomes Incarnate!

I thank all who work so hard in the parish and continue to strengthen our Christian community. Please be aware of how much we depend on you for your prayers, your volunteering and service and your financial support. Christianity is not like a “spectator sport” where we simply watch and cheer from a distance. Rather, it truly involves active participation and a life commitment: prayer, attendance at weekly Mass, a sacramental life, Christian service, love of neighbor, etc. Our parish family will be only as strong and vibrant as the people who faithfully participate in it each week.

Be assured that all members of this parish are remembered in my daily prayers and Masses. May I ask a small remembrance in your prayers and Masses as well? 

On behalf of Fr. Victorino Coronado, the parish staff and me, have a blessed and peace-filled Christmas!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Eucharistic Adoration

Dear Parishioners,

The popular Christmas Carol O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fidelis) reminds us to come and adore the Lord Jesus. Commonly, Christians gather around the Nativity scene, crèche or manger at Christmas to adore the Christ Child. Saint Francis of Assisi is credited with creating the first nativity scene in 1223 (a living one) intending to cultivate the worship of Christ. The scene's popularity eventually inspired communities to create ever more elaborate static exhibitions with wax and ivory figurines garbed in rich fabrics set against intricate landscapes.

While we may gather around statues or figures reminding us of the Christ Child and His birth into our world, I think that it is even more essential to recognize His Real Presence found in the Most Blessed Sacrament. It is so important that we come and adore Him who is truly present on our altars and in our tabernacles.

Many years ago, when I was in still in the college seminary, I came across an article written by Archbishop Fulton Sheen relating how he used to make a Eucharistic Holy Hour (before the Blessed Sacrament) every day of his life. He said that while he was praying before the Blessed Sacrament he felt he was being transformed like Moses was when he prayed to God on Mt. Sinai:  

As Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the commandments in his hands, he did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant while he conversed with the LORD. When Aaron, then, and the other Israelites saw Moses and noticed how radiant the skin of his face had become, they were afraid to come near him.  (Exodus 34:29-30)

When we come into the Lord’s presence, Jesus can do something to us. We may think that we go to pray, to petition and to worship, or even that we are doing God a favor by spending some of our precious time with Him. Our Lord Jesus, however, can transform us while we spend time with Him. We do not need to worry about what prayers we should say, what spiritual readings we should be reading or what we should be doing in His Presence. Just being with the Lord can be transforming. He can soften our hearts, heal our wounds, inspire us and guide us. He can give us an inner peace that nothing in this world can match. Making the commitment to spend time with Him can truly transform us.

So why not think about spending some time with Him weekly?  You are invited to come and adore the Lord. Each weekday, after the morning Mass at 9 AM, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration until 12 noon. Even if there is no formal exposition, the chapel is usually available for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament whenever the church office is open. Perhaps you could come a little earlier before Mass and devote some time in the church or chapel before His Eucharistic presence, even on the weekends. I can guarantee that if we spend time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, your life will mysteriously change for the better.

St. Carlo Acutis, the fifteen year old boy who promoted devotion to the Holy Eucharist through the use of the internet is quoted as saying, “When we face the sun we get a tan… but when we stand before Jesus in the Eucharist we become saints.”

You are invited to spend time with the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. What will your R.S.V.P. be?

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Advent "A" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

The Call to Repentance

 

St. John the Baptist

Dear Parishioners,

During the second Sunday of Advent each year, St. John the Baptist is featured in the gospel reading. His call is to repentance and to be baptized as an outward sign of one’s turning away from sin. He is an austere figure who lived in the desert and attracted many from the surrounding region to hear his message of repentance.

The Church gives us this figure during Advent to encourage all of us to prepare for the coming of the Messiah, who we proclaim is Jesus of Nazareth, by repenting of our sins and a by conversion of the way we live our lives—from sin to righteousness.

From a Catholic perspective, the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation (Confession) is the best way to accomplish this today. All of the sacraments impart to us Grace, which is the supernatural help that God gives us by an intimate experience of His Divine Presence. Jesus interacts with us in every sacrament and raises us beyond the ordinary with His Divine help.

Fortunately, since I have been at St. Thomas More Parish over the past five years, I have witnessed more people availing themselves of this sacrament on a regular basis. I certainly promote this practice. When I was growing up, the religious sisters who taught me encouraged monthly confession. We were told to examine our consciences each night before we went to bed and then say an act of contrition. Moreover, we were urged to get into the habit of monthly confession and to be sure to go as soon as possible if there was any serious (mortal) sin in our lives. Confession is required before receiving Holy Communion, if mortal sin is involved.

Some day we will come before the judgment seat of Christ (see 2 Cor. 5:10) and will have to account for all we have done, good and bad. We will then see things as God sees them and will better comprehend the impact of our actions on others. Each time we take advantage of the sacrament of confession, we prepare for that Day of Judgment and are given the opportunity to repent now, to receive God’s forgiveness and to begin anew. It is the confession of our sins to Christ, through the instrument of the priest, who then gives us absolution in the name of Jesus Himself. The basis of this belief is Jesus’ own words to his apostles on Easter Sunday night:

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. [Jesus] said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (Jn. 20: 19-23)

So when you hear me urge everyone to make a sacramental confession during Advent, and to get into the habit of monthly confession, just think of me as continuing the work of St. John the Baptist today.

As long as there is sin, there will always be a call to repentance and conversion.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the 1st Sunday of Advent "A" - Fr. Edward Namiotka