Fr. Simon's Letter - January 8, 2023 - Queen of All Saints

Now that the festivities of Christmas are over (really?), we get back into the regular grind of daily routine and tasks. However, the Feast of the Epiphany reminds us that our gaze should always be on Christ, who manifests himself in innumerable ways. The story of the Magi touches our Catholic imagination. In some ways, it symbolizes the journey each Christian must make. We print it on Christmas cards, sing about it in carols, re-enact it in pageants, and, today, celebrate it in the liturgy.

Three strange figures, perhaps kings, follow a star. They are likely priests who observe the movements of stars in the heavens. The ancient world regarded stars as signs of the supernatural, capable of affecting human destiny. In any case, the Magi go on a journey. It leads them to Bethlehem and to the Christ child.

The Magi take expensive gifts. They expect to meet someone of cosmic importance. Instead, they meet a poverty-stricken child in a stable. Yet, the meeting is a moment of profound spiritual illumination. These givers-of-gifts are given a gift – the gift of recognition.

This child is both their destination and their destiny. It is he who they seek. He is the Light of the World, the revelation of God to humankind. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh pale into insignificance compared to this gift of recognition.

Images of privilege are reversed. The fabulously wealthy Magi are disarmed by the face of a child. This face reveals the face of God. God, who entrusts himself to humanity in openness, simplicity, and vulnerability. God, who depends on human care and love; who shares in human pain and pleasure. This child reveals the ultimate source of meaning. Eureka! They have ended their quest. They bow down in adoration.

The journey of the Magi is a journey from darkness to light; from ignorance to recognition; from material attachment to spiritual fulfillment; from doubt to faith. It is a journey of conversion.

Each of us must make the same spiritual journey. Often we do not know exactly what we are looking for in life. As best we can, we seek authenticity and ultimate meaning. We follow our own interior lights and inspirations. But ultimately, we know that we need to be enlightened by a light brighter than our best intuitions.

The feast of the Epiphany, coming as it does at the start of a new year, is an opportunity to direct our inner gaze on the Christ Child and allow him 'to call us out of darkness into his own marvelous light'; to be given the gift of recognition by the One who is 'the light of the world.' The journey of the Magi is continued in each Christian. So today, we too bow in adoration of the Christ Child, the God-made-human who has come to live amongst us. We pray for the light of inner guidance to show us this mystery of faith.

'O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect Light.’

As we move from the Christmas season into Ordinary Time, allow me to express a word of gratitude to the many who made it possible for us to celebrate the beauty and mystery of the Incarnation.

To the members of the Men's Club who braved the cold to set up and take down the Nativity scene that many have captured on their digital devices. May it be imprinted on our hearts...

To Mary Asnis and Gia DeCarlo and their team of helpers who decorated the basilica, enhancing the beauty of our worship space…

To the ushers, sacristans, altar servers, lectors, and eucharistic ministers for helping us celebrate the mysteries in a dignified and reverent manner...

To Dr. Ken Sotak, Paul Scavone, the instrumentalists, and the choir for giving us a taste of heavenly music...

To our maintenance staff, who put up the lights outside and ensured the basilica and its facilities were ready for the celebrations...

To all others who, in one way or another, contributed their time and talent to enhance our experience of Christmas at the basilica...
-THANK YOU!

Finally, there is an ancient custom in the Church that the dates of Ash Wednesday and Easter are announced on the Feast of the Epiphany. In keeping with that tradition, Ash Wednesday is on February 22; Easter is on April 9. Please put these dates in your calendars to plan ahead and make this time a time of grace for you and your family. In preparation for Easter, I invite you all to the Parish Mission that will be preached by Fr. Mike Knotek, Vicar for priests of the Archdiocese of Chicago, on February 27, 28, and March 1, beginning each evening at 7:30 pm.

Blessings!!