One Last Column, Ever Grateful

For more than five years, I have been blessed to share my thoughts with you in this monthly column. When I first began writing, it took me a very long time to craft each reflection. I often wondered if anyone was reading them or if they would make any difference at all.

Dear Parishioners,

With today's feast of the Lord's Baptism we commemorate another "Epiphany" or manifestation of Jesus. This manifestation is not of the child Jesus lying in a manger but of the adult Christ who comes to the river Jordan to be baptized by John. Although Jesus is sinless and has no need of a ritual purification, he nonetheless steps into a river to demonstrate his solidarity with sinful humanity whom he has come to save. As he emerges from the waters of chaos Jesus is revealed as God's Beloved Son chosen to reveal God's love to the world.

Dear Parishioners,

On this great feast of the Lord's Epiphany we are blessed to be given a second blast of Christmas joy as we recall the exotic visitors - these Magi from the east who traveled by night in search of a newborn king. They are only mentioned in Matthew's gospel with very little information as to their whereabouts, their number and their ultimate purpose in searching for this king. In Christian imagination and artwork there are three Magi depicted, frequently portrayed as royal figures.