Our Lady of Lourdes Church and School

The tradition of the travelers coming from the East to encounter the newborn Savior of the World is rooted in scripture but also in folklore. Many countries have their own particular stories about these visitors of whom we actually can tell very little from the scriptures themselves. What is important for our purposes today is that the whole world (represented by the travelers) came to experience salvation because of the generosity of God’s compassion. Salvation is not reserved to the few, but is the gift for “the many”. And it comes to us in all manner of ordinary and extraordinary ways.

I recently watched a documentary of the experiences of some Irish sailors who spent a few months on patrol in the Mediterranean Sea, literally lifting drowning bodies from the waters, all migrants and refugees who for a myriad of reasons left their homes and often families behind them. It made for heart-wrenching stuff, and yet these sailors - professional men and women all - were profoundly moved by their experiences and counted much of what they went through as a time of extraordinary encounter. I wonder if I might be as open to challenging encounters in my own life in the coming year? For surely here God comes to greet me… I’ve been reflecting a lot recently on how God’s gifts to me often come in the guise of strangers and travelers who wander into my life and who offer me an opportunity to experience grace in so many different ways, if I am but attentive to the gift. That’s not always easy.

In these days I’ve also been reflecting on how Bishop Wilkerson has been a grace in my life these past months, and indeed in the life of our parish community. In his person he has offered me an occasion to experience God’s grace in his words of wisdom and insight, and in his ministry and care. From what some of you have already shared with me, I know you have been graced by him also. I knew when I invited him to share his ministry with us for the past six months that he would be a blessing for our community, and I want to take a moment to express my deep and sincere gratitude on my own behalf and on behalf of all of us. I am most happy that he makes his home among us, and I am delighted to be able to call him not only our bishop, but our friend. I’m sure I speak for many when I say that I look forward to his continued support and presence into the months and years to come.