New Year

Today is the anniversary of the birth of J. R. R. Tolkien in 1892. He was known to have said, "All that is Gold does not glitter," and "All those who wonder are not lost." How many times do we see people, especially at this time of the year, who dont seem to have any direction. How hard it is, sometimes, to know that another year has arrived and we are still as unhealthy or unorganized as we were this time last year. Maybe that's not a bad thing. The beauty of life is not in the destination, but in the journey. It's in the eyes and hearts of our companions and the challenges and surprises of our experiences.

Our parish puts out a monthly newsletter. A couple months ago, I started a column in it called "Worship in the Works." Beginning this month, I think I'll start posting my article here too. So, without further adieu.



Christmas has come… and gone. The stores have put their decorations away for another year and chances are everything is on sale. Many families take down their decorations right after the New Year if not right after Christmas. The carols have all been sung and the presents have all been opened (and maybe even returned already). The mothers of the world are breathing a collective sigh of relief.

The season of Christmas, in the Church, though, continues until January 6 with the celebration of the feast of Epiphany, the coming of the Magi. [Correction: Christmas season ends with the celebration fo the baptism of Jesus. Thanks Tim!] I have always been fascinated by their story. They traveled a long time and a great distance to see the one who they believed was the savior of the world, the Messiah. Advent is meant to be the journey we take to find Christ in our lives. Christmas is the moment of revelation, when we see Christ and rejoice with the Angels.

What then? What do we do next? The Magi went home to continue their lives, albeit by a different route. Once you’ve had a profound experience, you are never the same. Hopefully, we have laid OUR gifts at the manger of our Lord, and we have been given even more priceless gifts, salvation and love. As we struggle to reorient our lives and succeed at our resolutions for the New Year, let’s keep in mind this Lord who is with us always. Personally, I am trying to make myself into a “Christmas” person, always living my whole life with wonder and expectation. May everyday be an adventure for us all, a chance to expand and enrich our lives with wonder. The people we meet can help us discover it; our parish community can help us discover it; our family can help us discover it; Jesus, the “wonder”-worker certainly can help us. Many times, all we have to do is ask and seek.

Consider joining us for our monthly adoration, daily mass, weekly evening prayer on Thursdays, or Eucharist 101, Fr. Attila’s class on the Eucharist. Maybe you feel moved to serve this parish as a proclaimer of the Word of God (Lector), or a giver of the body and blood of Christ (Eucharistic Minister), or as a musician or singer, giving praise to God with the music within you. Just call the office for information on any of these. If there’s anything I can offer or do to help find that wonder in your life, feel free to ask.

Peace to all!