Christmas at Epiphany

From the Pastor:    Christmas at Epiphany

       Merry Christmas to you all! The 40 Days of Christmas have begun and the Glory of The Lord is being made manifest to the entire world. Not that everyone will appreciate the Infant Jesus’ Gift of eternal life, mind you—for there are men NOT of good will who do not even desire temporary Peace on Earth, let alone forever in Heaven—but nobody has been excluded from entering the Stable to worship and adore the life-giving Babe. That some would choose someone, something, anyone, or anything instead of gladly accepting what God has offered may seem strange or even impossible, but reality shows that it happens more frequently than not. Now that you are thinking about that, what do you do with such bad news? Rejoice! You have job security! As long as there are people out there in danger of losing their souls, we, dear Christians, have work to do! It’s time to save some souls!
       “But how do we do that, exactly? Do we put up billboards?” Yes, some people from the parish have, in the past, put up billboards encouraging Life. Those planning on having an abortion because they have been told that they have no other option, were exposed to the option of the trust in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. “But I can’t afford a billboard. What else can I do? I can’t exactly stand out on the streetcorners and evangelize.”  Why not? Some parishioners do that exact thing, either in front of abortion mills or even in front of the church during national Rosary Rallies. A public witness to God through the Blessed Mother’s intercession is a nearly cost-free means of evangelizing. “But I can’t stand long enough; the heat/cold is too much; I live too far away. There isn’t any way for me to show lost souls how to know, love, and serve God.” Sure there is! Do you eat at restaurants or friends' houses? Simply praying Grace before meals is quite an easy yet effective witness to your Catholic faith. Most people won’t notice but the ones who do will be affected by seeing you make the Sign of the Cross. You may edify and comfort those who have faith or are pondering the faith. You may prick the consciences of those who are lapsed. You may even anger those fighting against God, but that inevitably leads them to argue with themselves and/or others about their reasons for such unjustified anger, giving God (directly or through intermediaries) an opening to change their minds and hearts.
       “But I thought this was a ‘Christmas at Epiphany’ article! Why are you writing about saving souls? I want to read about Christmas and Aunt Irma!” Right you are! This is about Christmas at Epiphany, as the title states. Saving souls is what Christmas is all about. The entirety of the human race would be lost to hell were it not for the indescribable love of the God Who created us in His image and likeness. Our sins, by which we lost His Sanctifying Grace, had to be expiated if we were to return to Him even temporarily, let alone eternally. Therefore, in the fullness of time, God the Father sent His Son into the world so that “as many as received Him, He gave the power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in His Name.” The Son, humbly accepting this mission, became Incarnate by the power of the Holy Spirit, so that He may show us in visible form the invisible God. He was to suffer death to conquer sin and death in us. Yet the Holy Trinity did not carry out this plan of Salvation alone. No, God employed His created beings to fulfill His goal. He created Mary to be a worthy Mother of God, giving her a singular grace of purity, being Immaculate from the moment of her conception. But even so, it was an angel, Gabriel, who was chosen by God to reveal this plan and to obtain her fiat. Joseph also accepted his salvific role and followed the angel’s directives in order to protect both Mother and Child. God sent multiple angels to the shepherds, who, upon hearing, seeing, and believing the message, Adored the Christ Child and revealed the Savior’s presence and mission to all who would listen. Wise Men journeyed from the East to also Worship and Adore the tiny Baby, even though the full import of His Godhead was not yet in their grasp. Upon returning home, they each prepared their people for God’s salvation.
       I could continue with other biblical examples of God using angels and men to evangelize others, but let me bring this explanation to today’s time and place. The beauty, reverence, and prayer all of you saw and displayed at the Masses of Christmas not only brought grace to your own hearts, minds, and souls but also to all of our visitors and to each and every person prayed for at Mass. The spiritual work and preparation of Advent, along with all of the physical work and preparation needed for the Masses (choir practice, building and grounds maintenance, decorations, seemingly endless work done by staff and volunteers, and even your choice to dress in modest yet beautiful clothing) all pointed to God’s love of man and man’s in-turn love of God. You were evangelists without even noticing it! You were “recruited” by God to bring family, friends, and strangers—either physically or spiritually—to the Manger. You did a great job! I am proud of you.
       As for Aunt Irma, for some strange reason, she only shows up when the bulletin has to be printed before great Feasts occur.

With prayers for your holiness,
Rev. Fr. Edwin Palka