Twilight Twitches

Dear Family,
As I write, it’s the day after Epiphany. A great group of people - or better, a group of great people – are over in the Main Sanctuary carefully packing away all the Christmas decorations. They are determined that next year we will not have to worry about “fluffing” the wreaths. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, don’t worry. It’s only important to people who value symmetry in their wreaths.

Dear Family,
The parish family of St. John the Baptist recently celebrated the Rites of Christian Burial for Arlene Erdman, the wife of Dr. Leonard Erdman, good people known to many. At the funeral, at her request the following reflection was read by Msgr. Vincent Kelly, also its author. It pleases me now to pass it on to you, particularly at the beginning of our new year.

Dear Family,
Last week I asked, “So why did he come?” As I thought about it my memories took me down the path of seeing Jesus as our greatest gift. He came to us to give the ultimate gift, eternal life. Now that a week has passed since present-opening, I’m asking myself another question. Today, is my best memory of Christmas 16 the realization that Jesus was my best gift?

Two weeks ago, someone asked me to bless a set of keys that were for a car he was giving to his wife. I don’t remember who the gentleman was, but I hope his wife really enjoyed and will continue to enjoy her special gift. I’m hoping and praying that they both not only enjoyed being giver and givee, but also knew that the gift of the car was nothing compared to the gift of Jesus, who was the reason for the gift in the first place. “Jesus, is the reason for the season,” as the old catchphrase goes.

Dear Family,
Welcome to all our visitors. If someone in your family ‘guilt-tripped’ you into coming, thank them. For one thing, we may need you more than you need us, at least at first blush. After all, this is the season of decorating and you bring a unique dimension to the family. For another thing, Jesus is constantly seeking ways to love us, and here, hopefully, we are letting each other see Him in Word, Sacrament and all of us, His Body, the members of the Body of Christ. That’s why He came.

The more amazing thing is that after He came the first time, he chose to use us to continue coming. Imagine. Us. That’s why he came.

There are a lot of histories of gift-giving that vary in time and cultures across the ages. I’d like to think that we give gifts today because they reflect our attitudes about the people to whom we give them. But first of all, how about considering that we give them in gratitude because we realize WE have been “gifted” by Jesus. That’s why He came.