In last weekend's homily for the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, I brought up the fact, that Mary and Joseph showed great hospitality to "foreigners" (Magi) from the East by welcoming them into their home and accepting the gifts that they brought for the child, Jesus.  As they no doubt taught Jesus that lesson in hospitality when he was old enough to learn it - it showed in his openness to all who came to him; so, we are called to a hospitality that starts in the home of our heart.

While the issue of "Border Security" continues to be a topic of discussion and great division in our country, I pray that we will be ever committed to follow the example of Joseph, Mary and Jesus in welcoming all those who are in our midst who come from other cities, states and nations.  Accepting them and the gifts (of talents and a hard working ethic) that many of them offer to us, is indeed the "Christ-like" thing to do.

I ran across a prayer in the January "Give Us This Day" that I encourage all of us to pray, especially in this month in which we observe the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25) and the 105th World Day for Migrants and Refugees (on January 20).

Lord God, your Son Jesus said
Your Kingdom is like a banquet:
A festive gathering for all people
of every race and color -
a table at which the lonely find company,
the hungry savor rich foods and fine wine,
and strangers enjoy warm family ties.
Jesus calls us to build this Kingdom here on earth.

Teach us, Lord, the ways of hospitality.
Give us the spirit of joyful welcome
and the sensitivity to help people on the move
to feel they belong.

Grant that our tables at home may draw
our new neighbors from other lands
into a loving community
and that the eucharistic tables
in our parishes may prefigure that banquet
in heaven where all are one with you,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

On the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, we reflect on the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles, as well as the significance of the gifts that were given to Jesus by the "Wise Men" from the East.  This is a good time to reflect and give thanks for the gifts that have been given by many in this parish this past year and look forward, I hope, to many more giving of their gifts to manifest to others the gift that Jesus is to the world.  Firstly, there are those who are contributing the gift of their stewarship of money for the mission of Sacred Heart Church and for SO MANY other causes and needs.  The blessings that flow from your generosity are many and affect in a positive way, the lives of countless people in our parish and in many cases, far beyond our parish.  I also give thanks for the stewardship of time and talent that's given by members of the Knights of Columbus, Ladies of the Sacred Heart and Men's Club - - - that help to raise funds for various needs and promote fellowship in Jesus among those who work together on the various projects and fundraisers that happen here.  Then there's the talent of our Shawl Makers, and or Rosary Makers who recently finished making the 100,000th rosary so that people locally and all over the world, can ask for the intercession of the Blessed Mother Mary and meditate on the mysteries of our salvation through Jesus Christ.  I hesitate to say FINALLY, because I know the list I present here of gifts given, will more than likely leave someone out who is doing the Lord's work in some form or fashion.  Our Helping Hands ministry and Family Assistance Committee continue to servce the needs of people in the community and parish on a regular basis and give hope to people who might otherwise have no one and nowhere to turn in their challenging situations.  

While I am confident that those who have given of themselves in time, talent and treasure in this past year (and years) will continue to do so, I pray that more of you will join in the many opportunities and ways that we can be Christ to, and for, others and give ongoing gifts that provide one-time blessings and for some, blessings for years to come.

Bishop Taylor, in his Christmas letter to all the priests of the diocese, quoted a passage from the prologue of the Gospel of John.  I would like to share it for our reflection.  It makes one of the strongest statements about the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and His work even before He came into the world.  "All things came to be through Him, and without Him nothing came to be.  What came to be through Him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.  (John 1:3-5).  From the moment of Adam and Eve's sin, there was, still is, and always will be, darkness in the world and in our lives.  The clergy abuse crises with instances in which church leaders failed in their call to protect the sheep, the continued conflicts between nations and within nations (e.g., Syria) and its affects especially upon refugees who have to flee their homes and homeland, the reality of so much violence with lives that are affected and taken because of it, the list of evils that create darkness are many and seem to increase in intensity and frequency as time goes on.  John's Gospel, almost from the very beinning, makes a strong statement of faith and hope that the darkness will not EVER extinguish the Light that shines through Jesus Christ our Savior and the crucified and risen Lord.

As we prepare to begin a new calendar year, my hope and prayer is that we will all choose to grow closer to the Light that is Jesus Christ, and happily and purposefully live as people who reflect the light of His love and hope to everyone we meet.  The last words of the refrain from the song "I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light: is certainbly worth praying in word and/or in song every day of the upcoming new year (and our whole life long): SHINE IN MY HEART LORD JESUS!