My friends, I don’t know about you, but I have always looked forward to new beginnings – a new year, a new job, a new class – whatever it might be because with each new event, there is the opportunity to “do better,” what I may have attempted before, or simply to try something new that I have never done. All these new beginnings bring hope – a virtue that we must hold onto in these very trying times!

   Today, we see our brother Jesus beginning a new phase of his life – his public ministry, and he begins by doing, in his mind, “what is right” – baptism by John.  Putting ourselves into the heart and mind of Jesus, he probably had a sense as he came to know himself, and his abilities, that on the one hand, he had “a light” to share with others, and at the same time, a realization that the strength, we might say, grace, that would come to him through his baptism by John, was something that would help him immensely in his life of service, for and with others. 

   I think my friends, it is important for each of us to remember and never forget that our brother Jesus, as one of us, was completely human, thus he needed to deal with all the human emotions, pains and joys that each of us does.  If Jesus will ever be someone that we can follow, this piece – his completely human self must not be set aside, in deference to his spiritual-divine self.  There had to be a balance between the two natures, wherein Jesus, like us, had to continually say “yes” to the good, or better, and “no” to all that was not good, not about love. 

   Prior to Jesus’ baptism account in today’s gospel, we heard of how he was tempted in the wilderness – the struggle we all face between power and control in our lives, and the good we are capable of when choosing “the right,” or likewise, the evil we are capable of, for ourselves, and others, if we do not choose wisely. 

   If we choose wisely as Jesus did consistently throughout his earthly life – his “light,”  his actions in our world, ours will probably resemble his as spoken of today by the prophet Isaiah:

• You will bring justice to the nations…
• You will not break a bruised reed or quench a wavering flame…
• You will be a light…to open the eyes of the blind – last week you will recall that we talked about “a-ha moments,” and one of you said, “that in order to have such a moment, we must listen to others.” 
• The prophet continues – you will free captives from prison…here it is good to remember that people live in captivity, not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually too.  Our ability to reach out to others in love, to listen, to try and understand another’s pain can do so much toward “freeing” others in whatever ways they may be held captive.

   And our God who sees it all will let us know that we have “ chosen wisely” by the peace we experience in our hearts. 

   So, how do we really know that our choices may not have been the best, for ourselves and for others? The lack of peace and goodwill that tends to swirl about those who choose selfishly, with no regard for others, would seem to be an indication.  And, at the end of the day, whether we choose rightly, or wrongly, we may not always be sure, but for the most part, peace should be present when our choices have been about justice, compassion, care, and love. 

   When we keep our eyes on Jesus, and his actions, I think we are more apt to see our God  as Jesus did – with awe and reverence, instead of fear.  “Fear of God” as addressed in the 2^nd reading from Acts today, I would suggest is better understood through the original Hebrew word, “yirah,” which means, wonder, honor, and a much more positive view of God than the word, “fear” gives us. Jesus, our brother gave us this more positive view of his Abba God, through his entire earthly life with us. 

   So my friends, with today’s gospel,  we get a positive view that our brother Jesus is here, as an adult, come to fruition through an earlier life of love and support given by his human parents, Mary and Joseph, as we spoke of during Advent.  Again, he probably learned of what God truly wanted from him, a bit at a time, just as we come to understand the “piece” that is ours to do, as Saint Francis of Assisi always encouraged his followers – we can only do what is ours to do.  And if we don’t do our part, shine our own particular “light,” that “piece of God,” as Sister Joan Chittister is fond of saying, will not be shown to our world!  Now, there is a responsibility…

   And if we are looking for concrete examples in both Church and State of choosing unwisely, today’s world has enough to go around.  Beginning with our own Church, so many times over the years of my life, and the lives of others, when imploring the hierarchical men “to change,” some outdated law that no longer serves, we hear, “the Church moves slowly.”  I, for one, would encourage them to get “a move on!” Such a statement given as an excuse for why they haven’t made the changes that the “sensus fidelium” – the voice of the people who have for so long been asking is an insult to the memory of Jesus of Nazareth.  The Spirit of the Living God is forever renewing the face of the earth, and she speaks to the laity as well as to the clergy. 

   Our Church needs women deacons and priests, it needs women in leadership now, it needs a compassionate and loving response to the wonders and awe in all created human life –LGBTQ’s and more, animals and plants upon our beautiful earth, and voices that aren’t afraid to speak truth to power, now!

  The state of our country is obvious to all who have eyes to see and ears to hear, and now is the time to engage our hearts as well.  Our baptisms call us to all this and more, and if we don’t know where to start, the practice of doing each thing that we do each day, inordinately well, the “light we shine” for others will be reflected and passed on.

Amen? Amen! 

My friends, with today’s feast, we officially end the 12 Days of Christmas, just short, by two days.  That is done so as to celebrate the feast today, replacing the regular Sunday feast – all neat and tidy.  Actually, it is good that the Church hierarchy put the official celebration of the Epiphany today, because if they hadn’t, I would have chosen to do so myself. 

   The word, “epiphany” comes from the Greek, meaning “manifestation.”  In present-day parlance we might say, this feast is about an “a-ha” moment. 

   Jumping right to the gospel selection from Matthew today, we hear the familiar story of  “The Three Kings” –who more than likely, were men of faith, aware of the Scriptures and perhaps too, the prophecies concerning the coming of a “Messiah.” Additionally, they may have been astrologers who studied the heavens and had an understanding that a “manifestation” in the heavens – “a star,” had a counterpart on earth – “the birth of a child.” 

   The other two scriptural selections for today have accompanying language that fits well with the appearance of a strange star.  The prophet Isaiah tells his people and people through the ages to, “arise and shine, that your light has come.”

   Scripture scholar, Diane Bergant wisely says, don’t miss the second part of Isaiah’s command to “arise,” but also to “shine.” In other words, we can’t be passive observers of this “light” come among us.  We must watch our Messiah closely, following in his footsteps – doing as he did. 

   Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians today fleshes this message out, proclaiming that, “the Gentiles are heirs” [too], that Jesus comes and is, for all.  A reminder once again that Paul’s relationship with the man, Jesus of Nazareth, was first, and only as “the Christ,” thus, he could confidently minister to “the Gentiles,” understanding that Jesus as, “the Christ” was a God big enough for everyone!  And for this reason, when addressing Jesus in this fuller capacity, I don’t say, “Jesus Christ” as if “Christ” is Jesus’ last name, but as “Jesus, the Christ,”  a God as Franciscans, Father Richard Rohr and Sister Ilia Delio jointly say, is a God, in a cosmic sense who is big enough for all people, beyond religion. 

   And in our present-day world that has become, at the top levels of the administration in Washington, so divisive, racist, and small, it is good to remember Paul’s full message that, “the Gentiles are heirs, as are we.”  In other words, as we say here at All Are One, “All are welcome!”

   So, my friends, as we consider this next week leaving the simple, beautiful, and peace-filled crib scene, let us consider for a few minutes the “a-ha” moments of manifestation that come to each and all of us in our lives as Christians, followers of our brother Jesus, and think about how we will respond going forward. 

   In this regard, let’s take one last look at the crib scene to consider an idea – that what we think we are looking for, may not be what our loving God wishes us to find.  Considering the Three Kings who went, “looking for a new king,” and in a stable in Bethlehem,” “an unlikely place,” or so they thought, found that they had to reconsider,” what “kingliness” was really all about – not the “who” (lineage of someone), but the “how” someone acted in the world. 

   The present administration in Washington looks at people in a very surface way, seeing only bad and evil in anyone of color, and for that reason, will probably not have many, if any, “a-ha” moments as they consider who might make good citizens of our once, “great country.” 

   Having an “a-ha” moment is really about, the moment, “when we finally get it!”  It is that moment when we realize that “good” in anyone of us “runs” deep – it’s about “what gets us up each day” – we call that our spiritual selves.  It is about our morals, basically, how we care for others, as well as ourselves – balance, that is.  The psalmist in number 72 today, calls it, “justice” and proclaims that everyone deserves justice in their lives. 

   One doesn’t have to look far to see that lack of justice for so many in our world today.  And it is good to remember that is why our brother Jesus came, to show us the ways to be more just in our world.  Diane Bergant called this action, “shining” our light. 

   Jesus,  the One we believe to be the Messiah was rejected in his time as he is in our time, especially by many in power, simply because they are too much into their own power and wanted/want to hold onto it.  We see this stance in Matthew’s gospel today – Herod is “greatly disturbed” Scripture says by the mention of “a new king” having been born – Herod would not come to adore, but to eliminate a rival king. 

   Unfortunately, our bishop Barron seems to not be looking for any “a-ha” moments in his tenure as bishop in the Winona/Rochester diocese as he sees himself as the holder of all the truth about how God deals with us lowly creatures, and will listen to nothing but that “power-over” script. 

   There was a bishop, for-the-people, Joseph Cardinal Bernardin of Chicago, who served from 1982 until his death in 1996 from pancreatic cancer, who apparently had an “a-ha” moment along the way.  When he was installed, his first message to his people was, “I am Joseph, your brother!”  — a statement that says that he will be a leader, like Jesus, who will use power, as a tool, not “over people,” but “with people.”  He was known throughout his time leading the people of Chicago, to speak about, “the seamless garment,” – he saw life issues stemming from life at birth, all along the continuum until death. 

   I believe, in our present-day Church, Pope Leo XIV, like his predecessor, Pope Francis, for all the good both did, and are doing, still needs an “a-ha” moment where women in our Church are concerned.  To make a statement saying that women are basically not called to be ordained either as deacons or priests is simply short-sighted, sexist, and demeaning to women.  Our God created women equal to men, and to not see that is tragically about controlling his power and that of the men in our Church, and nothing else.  Pope Paul VI, back in 1976, made a statement after a commission that he established to look at this issue, that “there was nothing in Scripture that prohibits the ordination of women,” and I would add, except the will to do so!  Women have so many gifts to give our Church…

   It is sad, when Leo, like Francis speaks about so much good to pursue in our world – equality for and with our colored sisters and brothers, those of different races and belief systems, love and gentle care for our planet, but when it comes to women, there is a “blockage in thought.”  Let us pray for an “a-ha” moment in 2026 for Pope Leo. 

   The prophet Isaiah gives us words for our journey this new year, “though the night still covers the earth and darkness, the peoples…[we must] “arise and shine!” There are those in our Church, who would have us go back to pre-Vatican II times, our own Bishop Barron among them,  to a time when much of Church life was pretty, “black and white”—do 1-2-3 and heaven would be assured.  Sister Joan Chittister, a prophet in our times, is known for proclaiming— “we need to go back further” [past the rules and regulations] “to the memory of Jesus of Nazareth.”  Now that would be a collective, “aha” moment!  Amen? Amen!

My friends, this week finds us on the last Sunday of 2025!  As one year ends and we all look forward to a new year of possibilities, it is good to review what the last year has been – both the joys and the sorrows too.  This type of review is a good thing as it helps us to be honest with ourselves about what has been good and what perhaps we could change to be better at who we are meant to be. 

   As I wrote this, I was reminded of a very good friend and mentor over the years of my priesthood, Sister Marie Regine Redig, whose friends and family fondly called her, Gina.  Until it was announced that I would be ordained in 2008, we never knew of this School Sister of Notre Dame, as Gina belonged to an extended line of the Redig family we weren’t acquainted with.

   Gina died a couple of years ago; some of you perhaps met her on Zoom masses during the 1^st outbreak of Covid in 2020.  She came into our lives almost 20 years ago, and travelled from Milwaukee to attend my ordination, celebrating with us what she herself was unable to do 70 years earlier when she chose religious life over her true calling to priesthood, a fact she only shared with us shortly before her death.  All we knew in the early years of our relationship with her was that she truly believed that women were called to ordination, and was happy to celebrate that fact with us. 

   So, over the years she read my homilies each week and was my best critique-r, let’s say, mentor and friend.  I specifically remember one time when she called me to task for, in her words, “Kathy, you shared 9 paragraphs before even mentioning the Scriptures!”  Clearly, she thought it should be the other way around.  I keep that in mind as I and the Spirit prepare weekly homilies, even though I have always felt that the homilies must be tied to the weekly readings from Scripture. 

   So, in deference to Gina, and after only 4 paragraphs, let’s look at today’s Scripture readings:  Beginning with Sirach, then Paul and Luke, each one has something to tell  us about “families.”  We always call that original family of Mary and Joseph and Jesus the “Holy Family,”  but the chosen readings for this Sunday really suggest that all families are “holy,” or have the potential to be. 

   Sirach begins in a rather general way stating that we all should, “revere and honor [our] parents.”  That is one of those “easy-peasy” sounding statements that in real-life isn’t as easy to do for some as for others.  Obviously, if one comes from a good and loving family, this command is easier to fulfill than for those who grew up in less loving homes. 

   Paul, in his letter to the Colossians instructs the people to “put on love” because that makes, “all else perfect” and binds the rest together” – all the other good virtues that he mentions, “kindness, gentleness, humility and patience.” And as followers of Jesus, Paul recommends that we “do all in the name of Jesus.”  This reminds me of a poster y held by a demonstrator last Monday on Main Street, Winona, “Who would Jesus Deport?”

   Another recommendation from Paul in today’s 2^nd reading which is an update in the Priests for Equality translation of Scripture that we use here speaks of those in committed relationships, “submitting to each other – a good update most women feel, as we remember the old version which called only for “women submitting to their husbands.” This, by the way, left out all the homosexual couples with regard to their relationships.  The old translation also said that “men,” on the other hand, were “to love their wives.”  Robert mentioned over the years that he thought that men had the harder task, “in loving,” to which I responded, “It seems that if men truly ‘loved’ their wives, they wouldn’t ask for this one-sided submission!  Balance, it seems, is best!

   This is true of his final admonition with regard to children – “Don’t nag them, lest they lose heart” – and incidentally, this is probably true with regard to committed partners as well.

   Luke’s gospel selection for today gives us a few good lessons as well for family life.  And in keeping with our focus on trying to really understand the probable lives that Mary and Joseph lived, these lessons are good, not only with regard to them, but us as well. 

   From the get-go almost, this young couple are told, not only hope-filled ideas about who their little son would become, “the rise and fall of many,” but sad ideas as well, “a sign that will be rejected.”  Understandably, as Scripture tells us, “Mary pondered all these things in her heart.” 

   And as we think about it, is not much of this the same for any of us who have the privilege of bearing and/or raising children, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually?  We never know, at the beginning what these new, little lives will become –we do, as Mary and Joseph did, walk in faith, hoping and praying that what we try will be for the best for those entrusted to our care.  So, we have real models to follow in Mary and Joseph.

   My friends, in conclusion then, I would like to bring our focus back to our forebears, Mary and Joseph, to hopefully give us a truer picture of who these “familiar” folks may have truly been. First, it’s important to shine a bright light on their possible relationship.   

   So, to begin with, Mary and Joseph had to have been in love with each other in order to give the human Jesus what he needed to then, eventually, give back so profoundly to his world as an adult.  To quote a lovely and true line from, The Sound of Music, “nothing comes from nothing.”  Mary and Joseph showed Jesus, “the way,” through daily, “loving actions,” so that he could eventually, show the rest of us, “the way.” 

   Theologically, we sometimes, as a Church get, “lost in the weeds,” proclaiming a “sexless” relationship between Mary and Joseph, who for too long, in the person of Joseph being presented as “a caretaker” husband devoid of any physical or expressed love toward Mary, or for that matter, she for him.  Sadly, because the celibate men of our Church have for too long had a “troubled” relationship with their own sexual selves, they gave that same, “troubled” relationship to these two significant people of that first, “holy” family. 

   We need say no more, except to lift up the good that our God most likely intended by giving us sexual bodies and desires to express in a myriad of ways; as celibates, married, or in some way, committed relationships that are expressed in hetero or homosexual ways in order to give strength, support, and affection to each other, in our personal ups and downs. Having the particular type of support that each of us is called to in our lives, then opens us up for additional loving-centered acts in our greater world. 

   Perhaps a final thought on this Holy Family Sunday is to lift up to the light of day, what all the “loving” was really intended to do, in the end.  So many people, in Jesus’ time, awaiting “The Messiah,”  wanted an earthly being of strength to establish a “kingdom” that would put down their “enemies”—but the trouble with that, and why Jesus would ultimately be rejected in his own time and place, was the fact that he came to establish a “kin-dom,” as opposed to a “kingdom” which was not about “power-over,” but “power-for,” each of us.  Amen? Amen!