The Epiphany of the Lord

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Today we see that Jesus is made manifest for all peoples and all nations. The wise men coming from all corners of the globe follow a star to meet Jesus bringing three significant gifts of Gold Frankincense and Myrrh. Three gifts to represent his kingship, divinity and also pointing towards how he was to die. It must have felt quite an odd thing to happen for Mary and Joseph but we are told that Mary kept all these things in her heart.
Both Mary and Joseph made these rather mysterious characters welcome and allowed them to worship Jesus.

This story has got me thinking about our parish community and actually how we treat the stranger who comes into our Church. For the house of God is for everyone no matter who they are and where they have been. As a parish community we should extend the welcome out to everyone because we are all brothers and sisters in the Lord. And we may think that we are a welcoming and warm community but when we go deeper what is the reality. I have witnessed here in this very Church people being asked to move because the person has always sat there and that their seat or a child that makes noise and people around them tut and pull faces. We have a Christian duty to make the stranger welcome to bring Christ to them to make Jesus manifest not only in the world outside these doors but also in the Church. We profess to be Christian and come to Church and yet sometimes and I include myself in this we do not act like it.

I often wonder what more we can do to get people in to hear the message of God’s love for them. I don’t think that we can often blame the teachings of the Church or the new translation or the priests/Bishops sometimes it comes down to a simple welcome and making someone feel that they belong. It’s as simple and as complicated as that.
As we strive into a New Year let us all become a welcoming community allowing the stranger to feel at home and challenge any behaviour that we see that is contrary. 

Comments

Anne Chapman said…
I LOVE the Homily can you use it at again at the other churches? I could do with hearing it in person as I may not ask some one to move but I could be more friendly and welcoming.
12 January 2012 at 11:44
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