Pilgrims of Hope
-
January 4, 2025Happy and Blessed New Year to all!Another year has passed and we are on the first Sunday of the year 2025.This Sunday is Feast of the Epiphany, from the Greek word Epiphanos which literally means appearance, manifestation or showing forth. This feast reminds us the first appearance of Jesus to the Gentiles represented by the Magi or some would say the wisemen. Epiphany
refers to God’s self-revelation in Jesus his Son to all mankind.
Our Gospel this Sunday from Matthew presents tous a journey of faith and hope in the midst of uncertainties and struggles. The magi had set out on a journey based on their knowledge of prophesy and movements of the stars in the sky, bearing with them their precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Their journey must have been filled with much difficulties, they came from afar and uncertain if they will ever find the new born baby who is said to be the new king. Added to the uncertainties was the fact that King Herod was agitated upon learning that there was a new born king and the religious leaders seem to be not interested at all. Nevertheless, the Magi had to continue their journey and need not to give up until they find their way to the new born baby.
Their journey might have been marked with uncertainties but it was nonetheless filled with hope, a journey tainted with discouragement but led them at last to find what they have been searching for. Finding the new born king Jesus has also led them to traverse another route going back home. Searching for Jesus in the midst of discouragement and uncertainties might be challenging but fulfilling, and meeting Jesus is an invitation to have a change of route,a change of heart. The journey of the Magi is our own journey of faith and hope in finding Jesus.There might be challenges, some might be discouraging but finding Jesus at the end of the journey is having that transformative relationship with him.
Speaking of journey, this Jubilee Year of Hope 2025 with the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope”, is another year of grace for St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church,our home parish, as it is one of the Jubilee pilgrimage sites of the Diocese of San Bernardino. As one of the pilgrimage sites, our parish will be offering opportunities for reconciliation, reception of indulgence and other events and programs intended to revive and strengthen our faith and fan the flame of hope of every pilgrim that would visit our parish Church. We will continue to keep you posted with announcements and updates about our activities.May God bless us all!
