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Homily for the Epiphany Sunday, Year B: 2024

Fr Luan Nguyen • Jan 07, 2024

Epiphany means manifestation of our Lord to gentiles. Mary and Joseph welcomed all kinds of visitors those days: the shepherds, the animals, the angels and lastly they welcomed the Magi (three wise men) who came and offered precious gifts to Baby Jesus. We may say: without the presence of the Magi, Christmas is not completed according to prophet Isaiah: “Caravans of caramels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the Lord.” Clearly, the Good News of God made man is not for Israel only, but for the whole world.


We should learn from the wise men who were humbly seeking the truth. They studied, and they found the strange star, then they believed that strange star would lead them to the true King. They were patient in searching for truth. When they seemed lost, they humbly asked Herod and scholars of scriptures. There were many obstacles on the way, but they did not let anyone or anything prevent them from the truth.


Be careful, don’t be selfish. We have a tendency to keep special gifts to our family or our parishes and we don’t want to share it with others. Mary and Joseph shared their Baby Jesus with others because they believed God became flesh for the world not for them. Through their charity, the glory of God was manifested to the world.


Making God known is the theme of Epiphany Sunday. Before Jesus came, God’s revelations were only for God’s chosen people Israel. But after the Son of God took on human flesh, God's revelations was accessible to all people on earth.


Dear friends in Christ, the three wise men had followed the star to come to Bethlehem and found the King of Kings. Do you see a guiding star for your faith? Jesus is the light which shines in the dark world. So, the true light or the true star is only in Jesus and his holy ones, not in the world. If we do not want to get lost in the darkness of sins and in the world pleasure and materials, we have to stay in His Church where we have the Word of God and sacraments. Every time you feel lost in the messy world or in world ideologies, we need to come back to prayers, read the bible and seek guidance from bishops, priests, deacons and catechists. The most important thing is staying in Jesus' Church, not leaving. Jesus said: you are the light of the world. This day forward, each of us should be a star to lead others to come here to worship our Lord.


May God’s star shine in our heart to guide us and console us in our journey of faith.

By Mary Sangster 20 Apr, 2024
“I am the Good Shepherd. I know mine and mine know me.” This John gospel is a consolation to me. So I hope it is also a consolation to you. Recently, I received an email from a parishioner who shared with me that: he is struggling with his faith when he saw our church leaders and our ministers have not lived as they supposed to be. They lived a double life. In response, I replied to him that he was right that many church leaders or community leaders failed us. However, I also remind him that our faith is in Jesus who is a “Good Shepherd,” not in human beings. Human beings are never perfect and holy as Jesus. We know that Jesus called priests from human beings, and priests still carry in them their personalities, their weakness and their broken wounds, etc. So, I ask you not to give up on us, but to pray for priests and for all pastors in the universal Church; may they be faithful and truthful to what they preach. I heard a story about Cardinal Levada who was an Archbishop of this archdiocese. On the day he left Portland for a new assignment he said to his priests: “as people made you good priests, so you, priests, made me a better bishop.” So, with your prayers, encouragement and loving supports, you can make good priest for the Church. So don’t give up on us, but help us to become holy priests after our Good Shepherd. The point is: when you have a bad experience with a priest, a monk, a nun or even a bishop, you should look up to Jesus, our Good Shepherd, and pray for them. Jesus knows each of us by name. Do we know him? Knowing him very well does not only know who is he; how he lived his life; how he died; and what is his teaching etc. but also know who he wants us to be and what he wants us to do in every situations in our daily life. Knowing also means trusting. We should trust him totally in whatever situation we are. We have to trust in his guidance and his grace. Saint John said: If someone says he/she knows Him but still live in sins is a liar. So knowing Jesus also means to repent and change our way of life to His holy way. Brothers and sisters in Christ, sheep are supposed to follow their shepherd, not another way around. As the psalmist said, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Although we are walking in the dark valley, we will not fear because he is with us. He will deliver us from all dangers if we have faith in Him and do what he wants. He will forgive us if we trust in his mercy and ask for forgiveness. This weekend, together with the universal Church, we pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. We pray that our Heavenly Father give us more good priests and religious brothers and sisters after our Shepherd’s heart. Parents should support and guide your sons and daughters who have a will to follow Jesus. Encourage them to participate in this parish community. To those boys in high school age, I encourage you to register to Quo Vadis camp and youth Steubenville Northwest, etc. those camps are eye opening for young people.
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