The transition from 2022 to 2023 presents a unique liturgical experience that occurs roughly every seven years. First, we were blessed to have an entire week between the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas to set up, prepare, decorate and practice. I hope you appreciated the details of our hard work that results in such prayerful experiences. I tell our staff that certain cities host a Super Bowl periodically. We host not one, but two Super Bowls every year as we welcome so many who prayerfully join us at Christmas and Easter.
However, the advantages of Christmas and New Year’s both taking place on Sundays also have drawbacks as it limits the emphasis on the feasts that follow Christmas. For example, the Feast of the Holy Family, one that is near and dear to us here in our community, was celebrated this past Friday. The schedule did not permit a larger weekend celebration. The celebration of the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God is this Sunday. The Feast of the Epiphany will be celebrated next Sunday, January 8 and the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord will take place on Monday, January 9. However, let us not overlook their importance.
The Feast of the Holy Family continues to be told to us this year, as it is every third year, from the Gospel of Matthew who tells us that Joseph has one of his three dreams during which an angel tells him to take Mary and the newborn Jesus to Egypt. This relocation is done to escape the wrath of the insecure King Herod who is threatened by this newborn King who has been heralded, who drew wise Kings from far off lands and was introduced to the world by the splendor of a special star.
This is one more unexpected adventure for a young family, suddenly living a nomadic life. Our family moved a couple of times for my father’s corporate positions with International Harvester (a very large manufacturer of farm equipment and trucks). Many of you have had similar experiences of relocation, and many more than just two moves. These experiences can be both challenging and helpful in family bonding.
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord has the prophet Isaiah announcing that the Lord says, “Here is my servant whom I uphold…upon whom I have put my spirit.” Matthew’s version of Jesus’ baptism tells us of a unique interchange between him and John the Baptist. John thinks there is something wrong as Jesus approaches him for Baptism. He does not think he should be baptizing Jesus; he thinks Jesus should baptize him.
John is thinking like a human here. In one sense, he has no choice to think otherwise. However, the story reveals the deeper spiritual message. Jesus assures him that this is, “…fitting for us…to fulfill all righteousness.”
Jesus walked into the dirty river of human life at his baptism. He immersed himself in human life with a message that He is one of us. This was a somewhat hard to understand human event that shows his full humanity. It is also a powerful bookend to his immersion into human suffering at the end of his earthly life. From river to cross, we have a God who immerses himself into every human aspect of life. This is a true fulfillment.
It is difficult to do so but the next time you suffer, feel Jesus in the dirty river of life with you.
We Want to Hear You
Through the efforts of members of our Pastoral Table, parishioners who gather regularly to discuss and offer advice, we have created a survey designed to get your feedback on a few important issues. We are particularly interested in feedback from younger adults, ages 20-35. You will be sent an email with a Survey Monkey questionnaire that will take approximately five minutes to complete. We sincerely want your honest feedback. Our door is open to you and your experiences. Your responses will assist us in more effectively providing spiritual enrichment, service opportunities and more. If we do not have an updated, or any, email address for you, please contact Jean Swenson on our staff at jswenson@holyfamilyparish.org. The more feedback we receive, the more we can grow as a faith community.
Wishing you all a happy new year, filled with many, many blessings!