My friends, as I said in this week’s bulletin, our celebration of Mass today brings us almost abruptly into the adult life of our brother Jesus. We have indeed come far from “the crib” where I invited you to stay during the 12 days of Christmas, now past. Jesus is basically at the cusp of his long-awaited ministry among the people, some of which he no doubt knew, and among many others that he did not know.

At this juncture in our journey through yet another Church Year, it is, as always, so important that we read the chosen Scriptures, for the surface meaning yes, but more importantly, for the depth of meaning contained there too. And thus, it will be important for us to especially attempt to get into the heart, mind and soul of our brother Jesus—what was indeed going on for him as he found himself at the pinnacle of his call from his God, to in many ways, as the prophet Isaiah says in the 1st reading, [be] “a light to the nations.”
If we recall in our own lives those special times when we were about to begin something new that we had long prepared for, and looked forward to, and finally got to the point of doing, then ask yourself, how that felt—what were the emotions that you were experiencing? When you said “yes” to marriage, started your first professional job, stood alone on a matter of conscience, and so on.

No doubt there was great joy, and anticipation as you prepared to take on a life commitment with a special someone, or begin a new job, but also there may have been some hidden anxiety—will this go as I hope? When we think of our brother Jesus, who we believe to have been in some special way, both completely human and divine, there had to have been joy, anticipation—wonder, and yes, a bit of anxiety.

And I believe our good and loving God understood this “bit” of humanity that the “beloved one” was experiencing, and thus upon Jesus’ coming “up out of the water” of baptism, spoke through the Spirit, a dove we are told, words of confirmation, and affirmation, that surely gave him the strength to not only go on, but to flourish in his God-given ministry—“You are my Own, my Beloved, on you my favor rests.” Other Scriptural translations are even more familiar, [in you] “I am well-pleased.” For us humans, being “affirmed” in what we are attempting to do is incredibly important—as I said above, it gives us the strength to persevere, and to do our best.

Several Sundays back, we saw our sister and mother Mary, “go in haste,” to in part affirm and assist Elizabeth in her new “status,” and as a result, received the confirmation to believe that what she knew, on one level, “had happened to her,” was indeed “of God,” and to be trusted—“Who am I that the mother of my God should visit me?”

This human need that we mortals seem to have at times, for confirmation of the “rightness” of what we are doing reminds me of when I was in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) to become a chaplain. From time to time, we “novice chaplains” would ask our supervisors how we would actually know that we were in fact doing the right thing in pursuing chaplaincy. In answer to that question, my most trusted supervisor told me, “You will know the rightness of your work through the reaction of those you are serving.” In other words, as in so much of our Christian lives, if the gifts of mercy, love and peace, among other qualities are present, experienced, and affirmed from those we are “present” to, we have the assurance that, “it is of God.”
So, now that we have placed ourselves into the heart and mind of Jesus, as much as that is possible, let’s just continue to look a bit more into today’s Scriptures to see our own way forward. The prophet Isaiah, in today’s first reading, foretold who Jesus—the Messiah would be:

• He would not break the bruised reed, or quench a wavering flame. This past week, we remembered the long, and most productive life of the 39th president of the United States, Jimmy Carter. Several of his family members and close friends remembered him as, “being kind, and going out of his way to do so.”

• Isaiah continues that, Jesus would open the eyes of the blind (and we know that we can be blind in more than physical ways)—a good friend mentioned this past week her realization that, “Her new ministry seems to be that of being present,” and in that way, helping with some of that, “blindness.”

• Jesus we are told, would free captives from prison (the prison that our minds can many times be)—this one brings to mind what the police tell us is our responsibility in our communities, “If you see something, say something.” I think many times we don’t always realize how we really are here to make our world better, and that can happen by addressing the needs that we see.

• The coming Messiah would free too, those living in darkness (and that can be, of their bodies, minds, and hearts)
• Additionally, the Messiah would be one that would serve the cause of “right,” bringing true justice for all.
Isaiah’s words today, of what it is to be a servant are a wonderful definition and call to each of us as baptized Christians to move among God’s people doing what we can, what we must, to make sure that Jesus’ justice—God’s justice, is there for all.

Our 2nd reading from Acts lets us know how “inclusive” our loving God is, a trait that we as Jesus’ followers are called to as well; that God “shows no impartiality,” [everyone who] “does what is right, is acceptable.” In our faith, I would add, when “good” is happening, “the Spirit” is around!

So, my friends, it is early in the New Year, and probably you are still looking at new and different ways to be in 2025. If so, a previous quote from Pace Bene, an on-line daily peace message may be of help. Ivania Vanzant says, “Today I choose to close the door to yesterday, and open my mind, heart, and spirit to the blessings of this moment.” I know for myself that when I spend too much time worrying over “water already under the bridge,” I miss many wonderful things happening right in front of me.

And finally, for anyone who regularly reads/or hears my homilies, you are aware of my “always” ending, of asking your confirmation with the double, “Amens.” A little backstory to why I do this. The “amens” are in deference to a wonderful, male, priest friend, Father Jim Callan, who went home to God the end of 2024. He was very instrumental in my own journey to priesthood as he was for Mary Ramerman in 2001, as the 1st woman priest ordained through the Ecumenical Catholic church—formerly, The Old Catholic church, with Bishop Peter Hickman ordaining Mary. You may or may not be aware that the OCC broke away from the Roman Catholic church in 1870 after the First Vatican Council, disagreeing with the doctrine of infallibility of the pope established at that council. So, Mary and Jim then went on to pastor, with Jim co-pastor, and in 2nd place to Mary, Spiritus Christi church in Rochester, NY, for nearly 20 years.

Robert and I visited these two outstanding individuals after my diaconal ordination in 2007, and when I told him that I may take the option to be ordained “catacomb,” or secretly, due to protecting my Catholic certification as a chaplain, which I needed the bishop’s endorsement for, and my job at Winona Health, he said that, if I could find my way to be ordained, in a public way, I might be very surprised about who does, and does not support me!”
And you all know how that went, so my friends, in God’s loving Spirit, we go forward, like our brother, Jesus, not always knowing the outcome, but trusting in God, to be with us, and show us the way—Amen? Amen!

My friends, we have come to the last significant feast of the 12 Days of Christmas. What began at the crib with a poor couple, Mary and Joseph, whose love for each other was big enough to share with another, Jesus our brother, and no doubt other siblings, continues on today, taking the lessons we learned, “at the crib” into our wider world.

And before we move into that “wider world,” let’s review the lessons we learned, “at the crib.” Our loving God chose a couple in love to give that greatest gift we humans can give to a child, love, so that he would then, “grow in wisdom and grace,” and take that one most special gift into the wider world, and communicate to his “sisters and brothers” – all of us, the extent to which his Abba, and ours—God, loves and cherishes us, and enables us, to then do the same in our world.

The second message that we learned “at the crib,” and must not miss, is that our God chose “poverty,” not “power,” to convey this message of love, and this choice was part of the “epiphany” or awakening that the “astrologers” found at the end of their journey—not in glory, but in poverty and simplicity did our God enter our humanity.

So, along with this manifestation of who our God chose to come to, through poor parents, for the poor and disadvantaged of this world, the message to the greater world, which includes many, if not, all of us, is that we must work diligently to make sure that there is justice for all of humanity—the mission that Jesus carried into the wider world and that we must do too as his followers.
That brings us then to today’s feast which I think we could all agree, is about sharing and spreading “the light” first seen in Bethlehem of Judea.

Let’s first take a cursory look at today’s Scriptures, as they can always show us the way, if we have the will and desire to see it. The prophet Isaiah gives us that beautiful line that we always hear each year at this time, “Arise, shine, for your light has come”[!] He goes on to say that this should cause us [to sing] “the praise of God.” The psalmist in number 72 instructs us that by [keeping our eyes on this light], “justice will flower” and “profound peace” – [the poor will be rescued] “when they cry out, and the afflicted when they have no one to help them,” [and the “lowly” will be shown pity]. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians states clearly that those who follow the “light,” the message of “love” first manifested at Bethlehem will take it to “the Gentiles” – in other words, all of us, and share this basic, God-given gift of love to all. Matthew’s gospel gives us another clue as to who our “messiah” will be, [a ruler] “who is to shepherd [God’s] people.”

I found it interesting in the Priests for Equality translation from Matthew today, that they never use the word, “king” to describe the “visitors from the east,” who brought gifts to the Christ Child and his parents, but instead name them, “astrologers.”

We, most of us, have always thought of, and named this feast, “the Coming of the Three Kings,” but when one reflects on the fact that they, “followed a star,” the “rightness” of calling them, “astrologers” rather than “kings,” seems appropriate. Rather than lifting up status in the term, “king,” “astrologers” seems to reflect “their mission,” to “see the light,” and share that light with others.

We have often spoken here of how it is most important that we delve into the “deeper” message than the “words on the page” may be suggesting, and again this day, we see the truth of that. The astrologers who saw the strange, new star that first appeared in their own land, instinctively knew that it represented something equally great on earth and were compelled to follow it.

When they arrived at their journey’s end, they were surprised to find that the “equally great” manifestation on earth that complemented the new heavenly body, was a “poor baby of poor parents in a stable,” and it was only upon witnessing this mystery, where they hadn’t thought to look, that they “saw the rightness” of what they found.

And friends, the same will be true for us. Pope Francis has spoken quite beautifully on this issue, stating that, “if we do not find “the child” in [our] here and now, perhaps we are not aware of what we are seeing, [not in power and glory, but in poverty will the Christ Child be seen. A friend made the connection of children dying in the Middle East war with the Christ Child this year in her Christmas card.

A few years back, an American poet, Amanda Gorman, spoke prophetically of the “light” that we all must see in our world: “there is always light, if only we are brave enough to see it,” and I would add, “to name it!”

Our present-day world can appear very dark at times if we look at all that clearly isn’t “right” – wars, starvation, injustice to many. But these things don’t have to be if we all, collectively seek the “light” to make the changes that are needed, or as Amanda Gorman said further, “if only we are brave enough to be [that] light” through our stance and actions in this world.

As a new year dawns, many of us hope in this yet, another beginning,” to as Opera Winfrey says, [attempt] “to get it right this time.” The Buddha instructs that, “no matter how hard the past, you can always begin again.” Or for those perhaps a bit more disillusioned, Thomas Jefferson’s words might speak more so to your heart and mind: “If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.” Whatever we each decide to do, in this new year, it is important to remember that as followers of Jesus, we never have the option to do nothing. And if that feels a negative way to end, let’s not forget that we never do this alone – our star, our light, Jesus, our brother, is always with us. Amen? Amen!

My friends, again—“staying in the minds” of those being talked and written about in the Scriptures today, is really, I think, the place to be in order to fully understand, and appreciate what is being lifted up for us.
“Holy Family Sunday,” as a concept might be easier for some to understand, and appreciate, especially for those who are part of a very, loving family, and are just perhaps coming off a wonderful time of celebrating with that family. Or, on the other hand, this Sunday may be a hard concept for those who don’t come from such a family.

Sirach, in our first reading today, gives us several, basic ideas that should help us to be a family that “gets along” with each other and even can grow to love and cherish each other more—it’s a balance he seems to say wherein we respect, care, show compassion, mercy and love for each other, parents toward children, children toward parents, and so on. And is that always easy? No, we all know that it is not! But, it is worth the effort, those with experience, wisdom, and maturity would tell us.

Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, speaks of many wonderful traits, some of which I have already mentioned, caring for and respecting each other, but adds to these, heartfelt compassion, gentleness, humility, kindness, and patience. He also uplifts the ability to forgive each other when we are less than our best. But what seems to be the “crème de la crème,” of all these traits in dealing with others, is love—and Paul says, “Love is what binds the rest together.”

Paul continues in his letter to the Colossians, that we should, “dedicate [our] selves to thankfulness,” for all that we have, and perhaps realize the importance of that, rather than lamenting over what we don’t have. He also seems to make clear that our stance in the world really can’t be just about us, especially if we are in relationship with others —“those in relationships must be submissive to each other.” Many of you probably remember the old version of this reading, “Wives be submissive to your husbands,” and “husbands love your wives.”

In my mind, the husband who truly “loves his wife” wouldn’t expect her “to be submissive to him, without doing the same for her. The Priests for Equality, whose Scriptural translation that we use here, surely agreed as they uplifted, “submission” for both toward each other, as well as being cognizant of more than heterosexual relationships. In addition, in the PFE translation, this two-way street approach that Paul lifts up in the traditional top-down relationship between “parents and children,” really calls for a “balance” –children, obey those responsible for you” [but] “parents, don’t nag your children.”

In our gospel from Luke today, we are given a sense through the prophets, Simeon and Anna, in the temple, of just what life will be for the new parents, Joseph and Mary, as they embrace their roles in parenting Jesus. Simeon tells them that this child that came into their lives in a rather miraculous way, if we believe the story, will be, “the downfall and the rise of many…and that he will be rejected.”

Understandably, “they marveled,” at all that was being said about their baby! Anna talked about what she had seen that day to all who would listen. With regard to the words that Mary, Jesus’ mother heard from Simeon, it would be good for each of us to ponder this day—this week—“a sword will pierce your heart.”

For those who have had the privilege of raising children, or participated in this endeavor, emotionally, or spiritually, if not physically, know this to be true—there are ups and downs in this awesome task of raising a life that eventually will be good not only for oneself, but also be an asset to the world.

Now, we followers of Jesus can look at this story of his life from hindsight, knowing in fact, all that will come to Jesus’ “holy” family, and to himself. Mary and Joseph didn’t have that knowledge of what it would ultimately mean to parent this child, and bring his life to fruition.

So friends, for this reason, it is good to place ourselves in their minds and hearts, to make meaningful, these familiar words on the page. And as we think about it, we could say that for any of us beginning parenthood, we too didn’t know what was ahead of us.

It takes a great deal of faith to parent a child, not ever really knowing if all that you tried to do, the “tough love” and all would form the child into someone who would become an asset to themselves and their world.

Mary and Joseph’s job in parenting the little Jesus into adulthood couldn’t have always been easy—something that I think many of us faith-filled people never really thought about over the years of our religious lives. When one thinks of all that can happen in anyone’s lifetime, amid all the joy possible, it stands to reason that Mary and Joseph knew, as do present-day parents, how “a sword [could] pierce [their] heart[s] along the way.

The psalmist today in 128 gives us a clue as to how we, parents—whether physical, emotional, spiritual, or any combination of the three, can find the strength for what life may hold—“happy are those who revere our God—who walk in God’s way” —trusting in the “author of life” to give us the needed strength to live with, and overcome both the sad times, as well as the happy ones, makes all the difference, I would humbly suggest.

Friends, I would like to conclude these musings on what being a “holy family” was possibly all about, for Mary, Joseph and Jesus, as well as the families that any of us have attempted to build, by shining a bright light on the relationship that Mary and Joseph more than likely had, and the family that, as a result, they were able to build.

Scripture doesn’t give us many details, other than that “Mary pondered [so] much in her heart.” And given that, I think it is right and good that we go ahead and make some assumptions. If we go back to Paul’s words today in the 2nd reading from Colossians, that in attempting to live lives worthy of the gift of life, we put on love, “which binds all the [other good deeds] together,” we have a definite clue as to what that “original holy family” was no doubt about.

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 care-taker” 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!