Monday Evening, January 4th, 2021
Epiphany: What’s in Your Christmas?
Christmas has many events and stories associated with it. Back on Sunday, December 27th, we celebrated the Christmas story of the Holy Family. Now, a week later, we celebrate the Epiphany. The word “epiphany” means “manifestation” or showing, but of what or whom?
We recall the event in the Bible where star guided wise people from the East, possibly present-day Jordan, Iraq, and Iran, were led to Bethlehem to see and meet the newly born Jesus, worship him, and present gifts to him.
Therefore, this event is the manifestation or “showing” of Jesus as the Savior of ALL humanity - not just a few privileged, pre-selected, Jewish people in Bethlehem. Epiphany tells us clearly about God’s ultimate plan: to save humanity and the entire world without distinction and without discrimination.
Indeed, Epiphany is an amazing Christmas story which has encouraging significance and practical implication for us today. In showing or manifesting the newborn savior to people outside of Israel, God is saying to all of us who are not Israelites, and who are neither Jews nor living at that time: “the savior came for all of you too.” So, we must discover what’s in the Christmas we celebrate.
The wise people represent anyone who is not an Israelite, and that includes all humanity. The first reading tells us that “nations shall walk by your light,” the light of Jerusalem. In our response to Psalm 72, we sing the words “Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.” Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians says that God’s plan which reveals God’s spirit in the Prophets is this: “… the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”
That gospel… that Good News is what is happening in our Gospel reading: wise people from the East (non-Jewish, non-Israelites, gentiles) were led by a star (God’s light and knowledge) to be a part of the celebration.
Here are some implications of the Epiphany for us Christians: We are legitimately Christian for one reason: we are human beings. Put differently, to be Christian is to be human! Therefore, Christianity exists to serve humanity, making people the true human beings in the image and likeness of God. That is salvation. We are Christian not only for our own salvation but also for the salvation of other people who may or may not be in our company or family or country.
This means we must live our lives with the intention of inviting, including, and sharing with the entire world. If we live our Christianity only for ourselves, we fail to hatch God’s plan for giving us that faith. If we fail in the plan of our faith, we have no faith at all… we are deceiving ourselves and wasting our time, talent, and treasure. Epiphany reveals God’s plan to us, which is that God blesses us so that we would bless other human beings.
For ourselves in the Saint Charles Borromeo community, we are reminded again to see our ministries modeled in the three things the wise people did in the gospel reading.
First, they learned and followed the guiding star to see and know Jesus. We too are called to get to learn and know Jesus intimately: we strive to develop our ministries of LEARNING or faith formation.
Second, when the wise people found and got to know Jesus, they acknowledged and worshipped Jesus as a glorious being. So, we too strive to develop our ministries of LITURGY when we worship and pray.
Third, the wise people opened their treasures and offered their gifts to Jesus. Here at Saint Charles, we too strive to develop our ministries of LIVING when we present ourselves to serve the needs of others. Here, our faith-learning and liturgical celebrations lead us into practical living actions: we offer our very selves as living sacrifices, doing justice for the good of all, serving the needs of others - both within and outside our community. Our “Giving-Tree” at Christmas is one example where we highlight the service ministry of Jesus Christ.
The Epiphany of the Lord is an inspiration for the Christian community. It reenergizes us to continue being a thriving Church even during these physically challenging times. This is how we would proceed to organize and mobilize in the spirit of the Epiphany – to bring the salvation of God to all humanity.
May we not be obstacles, or allow any obstacle like the pandemic, to impede God’s plan for saving ALL. May we faithfully and lovingly pass on this Christmas message of Epiphany that God loves ALL human beings within and beyond the boundaries of our family, nation, church, culture, race, sexual orientation, religion, and political party. And may we manifest and share Christ – the justice of God – to all as a testimony that we ourselves have Christ in us in our Christmas.
-- Fr. Kwame
St. Charles' Helth Ministry News
PROJECT SMILE
Final Reminder:
Submissions Are Due By January 6th
As you will recall, we are creating a slideshow with the pictures and gratitude statements that you are sending to us. When complete, we will share that slideshow on the parish YouTube channel for everyone to see! It will remain there to be viewed whenever you need your spirits to be uplifted or need to see your St. Charles community smile back at you!
1.) Take a picture of your big smile!
2.) Create a gratitude statement
3.) Send the picture and your gratitude statement
2.) Create a gratitude statement
3.) Send the picture and your gratitude statement
to the St. Charles Health Ministry email
address: scbhealthministry@gmail.com
address: scbhealthministry@gmail.com
If you have any questions, send them to the email address above.
Thank You for Your Participation!
Jan
5
COME and See on ZOOM
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
Adult Faith Formation Zoom Meeting
"COME AND SEE"
We welcome all who are interested in walking with Jesus
Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 PM
This Week's Topic:
This Week's Topic:
STRUCTURE OF THE CHURCH
Each meeting lasts about 40 minutes and includes a brief discussion on a topic basic to the Catholic faith. You don't have to go to one meeting to be able to go to another. The meeting format will accommodate discussion, so please bring your questions.
If you have a friend or family member who wants to learn more about the Catholic faith we invite you all to “come and see”.
To Join Zoom Meeting, Click HERE
Meeting ID: 321 832 6812
Password: Jesus2020
Meeting ID: 321 832 6812
Password: Jesus2020
We look forward to seeing you there!
For more information, contact
Daniel Goodman at gotfordtires@gmail.com.
For more information, contact
Daniel Goodman at gotfordtires@gmail.com.
All are welcome
to tune in!
to tune in!
Questions:
Janet Schott
925-373-9346
or
Cindy Kline
925-724-7636
View Our
PRESENTATION SCHEDULE
PRESENTATION SCHEDULE
Jan
7
WINGS on ZOOM
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
This Week With WINGS
Thursday, January 7th at 9:45 AM on ZOOM
Thursday, January 7th at 9:45 AM on ZOOM
Presenter:
Sgt. Steve Goard
Presentation Title:
Force Encounters:
Human Body, Human Performance
and High-Stress Incidents
Sgt. Steve Goard
Presentation Title:
Force Encounters:
Human Body, Human Performance
and High-Stress Incidents
Join Zoom Meeting at 9:45 am:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85303157388?pwd=OFoyVmxjdkxGUlR3NnhMY2d0bVN6UT09
Meeting ID: 853 0315 7388
Passcode: 984047
Telephones Can Dial:
+1 408 638 0968
Meeting ID: 853 0315 7388
Passcode: 984047
Telephones Can Dial:
+1 408 638 0968
Next Monday evening, Fr. Kwame will be the first presenter in our new three month series about reading and understanding the Bible.
On February 8th, the Franciscan University will make a presentation on this topic.
Finally, on March 8th, Bishop Barron,will be reading Genesis.
Please mark your calendars and join many of your fellow parishioners for these three presentations.
Jan
11
Men of Faith Monthly Meeting
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
Monday, January 11th, 2021, at 7:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83143435252?pwd=MXZuNEhvdm1YREVjanBDcVl6K3Fadz09
Meeting ID: 831 4343 5252
Passcode: kFPV6t
Telephones Can Dial
+1 669 900 6833
Meeting ID: 831 4343 5252
Passcode: 416067
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83143435252?pwd=MXZuNEhvdm1YREVjanBDcVl6K3Fadz09
Meeting ID: 831 4343 5252
Passcode: kFPV6t
Telephones Can Dial
+1 669 900 6833
Meeting ID: 831 4343 5252
Passcode: 416067
Questions?
Jan
11
Monday Evening - WALKING WITH PURPOSE on Zoom
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
Walking with Purpose
Bible Study Program
Opening Your Heart
by Lisa Brenninkmeyer
Questions? Contact:
Angela Layton
602-799-6648
wwpstcharleslivermore@gmail.com
Jesus Boost Podcast
Be inspired and empowered each week! Jesus Boost invites you to connect with and tap into the infinite strength and unconditional love of God, available to everyone. There is so much beauty, joy, and power in knowing you are never alone and that Jesus is by your side on this journey. Jesus Boost is your reminder with honest, insightful commentary about modern-day situations, supported by scripture and words of wisdom from renowned leaders. Come away with a fresh perspective, a smile, and a wonderful, unique spiritual lift to help you greet life with renewed hope and strength.
Los Angeles Religious Education
RE CONGRESS 2021
Proclaim the Promise will be virtual this year. Sessions will begin on Thursday, February 18th through Sunday, February 21st, 2021. The cost will be $35 to participate and sessions include keynote speakers, liturgies, workshops, concerts, intercultural prayer experiences, and even Sacred Space.
Mary Fair notes that we will now be able to attend from the comfort of our own homes without making the long drive to and from Anaheim. Mary has attended faithfully for over 15 years and considers this event as her annual Catholic rebirth.
It is safe to assume that the Archdiocese of LA will make this a meaningful and spiritually uplifting experience. Mary states that she always learns a lot and is inspired every year by dynamic, thoughtful, and well-informed speakers. She is also certain that this year's concerts will be wonderful, too.
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Community
1315 Lomitas Ave.
Livermore, CA 94550
