Happy New Year! Happy New Epiphany!
There is a story behind the phrase in today’s Gospel from Saint Matthew: “And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them… they were overjoyed at seeing the star.”
The Magi had set out on a long journey in pursuit of a star. But if, upon reaching Jerusalem, they asked: “Where is the newborn King of the Jews?” —- it was, surely, because the star had disappeared. Perhaps a cloudy night, or the darkness of King Herod, was to blame for the Magi to stop seeing the star.
The same thing happens to us. At times in our lives, we have seen God's will with blazing clarity. And we have followed that call, full of hope. But, along the way, there were days when we looked at the sky, and we saw
nothing but darkness ... what do we do?
What the Magi did: ask. Ask for help and let yourself be guided. Don’t give up. Wait. Look around. Don’t make any drastic changes. Later, it will happen to you like them: the star will appear again, you will see its light, and you will be glad you kept looking.
As we begin this New Year of 2022, don’t give up. Ask for help. Come to Mass. Come to Confession. Seek good counsel and advice from good friends. The darkness of the coronavirus pandemic, loss of a loved one, confusion in the world of politics, might obscure your star. But hold on. Jesus is Born! Our Savior is with us! Come, Let us Adore Him!
Rev Mark Zacker
Parochial Administrator