Well the Christmas Festivities draw to a close with the Feast of the Epiphany, when the Christ child is honored and worshipped by the Three Magi. The Word made flesh is announced to the whole world; He is the God of all humankind. The Gospels narrate that the three Magi did not go back to see Herod on their way home but “by a different way”. This not only means a different road but also with a completely changed outlook on life. Why so? Because they had encountered Emmanuel, the God who walks with us. They had been changed utterly by the experience.
This year I propose that we have a real focus on those who were born and raised Catholic but for whatever reason are disaffected with the Church. We must explore ways to share our encounter with God and our own conviction to follow the Way of the Lord in the Catholic Church as a worthwhile and salvific life path. If we believe in our faith, we must share it with assurance and verve. Just imagine if each parish family was brought to full and regular worship and the practice of the faith? We all know of someone we could invite to join in again; there would be no spare seats, our programs would be brimming over and our witness a beacon to all in the area.
We must “Go out to the whole world proclaiming the good news”.
May God bless you, your families, and the week ahead,
Fr Aidan Peter