Pastor's Message - January 5, 2026
My dear friends in Christ,
I pray that you all had a joyful and truly blessed New Year’s Day celebration.
On Christmas Day, we rejoiced in the mystery of God’s love made visible as we celebrated the birth of Jesus—His coming into the world, His birthday among us.
Today, on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, our celebration widens and deepens. We rejoice not only that Christ has come, but that He has come for all.
The word Epiphany comes from the Greek meaning manifestation or revelation. It reminds us that in Jesus, God reveals His saving love to every nation, every people, every heart. The journey of the Magi from the East, guided by the star, brings this truth to life. Their encounter with the Holy Child, held by Mary and protected by Joseph, was not meant for them alone—it was meant for the whole world. Jesus is not the Savior of a few; He is the Savior of all.
In today’s Gospel, we hear that the Magi brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These were precious offerings, but even more meaningful was the gift of their hearts—their faith, their trust, and their willingness to seek the truth no matter how far the journey.
Each time we gather for the Eucharist, we too encounter Christ in a new Bethlehem. Here, the Lord gives Himself to us—His love, His mercy, His very life. And as we come before Him, an important question is placed before our hearts: What gift are we bringing to Him? On Christmas, God gave us the greatest gift of all—His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. On the Feast of the Epiphany, we are invited and challenged to respond. What do we offer in return? Our faith? Our time? Our forgiveness? Our desire to change and grow closer to Him?
The Gospel tells us that after encountering Christ, the Magi returned to their homeland by another way. This detail is rich with meaning. Their meeting with the Savior transformed them. They could not go back the same way they came. They had been changed, inspired, and sent forth with a new purpose.
My friends, when we encounter Christ in the Eucharist, does it transform us? Does it inspire us to go out and proclaim, by our words and our lives, that the Savior has been born? Our world today is filled with darkness—loneliness, fear, division, despair, and uncertainty. Many people wake up each day burdened by these realities, wondering when it will all end.
Our world is in need of saving. Our world is in need of hope. People are searching for a star to follow—something, or someone, who will lead them to light and life. We are called to be that star. Through acts of forgiveness, compassion, joy, and love, we can lead others to the Savior of the world.
As we conclude this Christmas season, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who helped make our celebrations so beautiful—through your service, your generosity, your talents, and your faith.
May the light of Christ, revealed at Epiphany, continue to shine through each one of us.
In Christ,
Fr. Geoffrey
