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Jesus' destiny: Parents played role in his life

	Word to Life  Beverly Corzine

Last week I knew it was truly Christmas when I heard Luke's beloved description of the nativity of Jesus. "What child is this?" seems to be the continuing question on the lips of each man or woman who meets Jesus and his parents in the second chapter of Luke's Gospel.

What child is this indeed! Looking back through the cross gives us 20/20 vision. Likewise, in our mind's eye we have seen a tiny hand close around Mary's finger. From our vantage point in the 21st century, how could anyone miss the point?

Feast of the Holy Family (Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006) Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14 Psalm 128:1-5 Colossians 3:12-21 Luke 2:41-52

As his life unfolds, we sympathize with Mary and Joseph as they frantically search for their son Jesus. We know he has to be in "his Father's house." Where else would a precocious Jewish boy be who happens to be the Son of God?

We see his destiny looming before him and the instrumental part Mary and Joseph will play in helping this life take shape. It was easy for us to recognize him there in his mother's arms, but the question is, do we recognize him now?

When we as parents, grandparents, or teachers look into the faces of children, whose destiny do we see written there? Is Jesus there waiting to flower within the world? Do we take the time to wonder what child has been placed in our care? Who is it that regards us through uplifted eyes?

If we had been teaching in the temple that day, would we have had the good sense to have seen Jesus as more than a gifted 12-year-old? Smart but never cheeky, he could have answered our questions, but would we have allowed him to push us on a controversial or questionable point? Would we have considered seriously his possible destiny or any part we might have played in it?

	Reflection question • What child or young person in your life offers you a promise of Jesus' light in the world in the new generation?

To be able to look into the eyes of children and consider the question of shepherd and temple scholar alike becomes an act of courage and an act of faith because we must be prepared to see who is looking back at us.

This column is presented in cooperation with the North Texas Catholic of Fort Worth, Texas.

Light of the Lord: People gather in His name

	Word to Life  Jean Denton

It was a small, neighborhood Methodist church, doing ordinary church things: worship services, Sunday school, collecting for the food pantry, choir practice, board meetings, youth group, pot luck dinners, and so forth.

Preachers came and went, as Methodist ministers do, some inspirational, some so-so, some beloved. It was a friendly congregation, nurturing its members' faith life and being a good citizen through outreach.

Then one day everyone packed up and left.

Epiphany of the Lord (Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007) Isaiah 60:1-6 Psalm 72:2, 7-8, 10-13 Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12

When they returned, trickling back three months later, their city had been devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

Even though many of them lived within a few blocks of the Mississippi River, their own New Orleans neighborhood miraculously had been spared except for relatively minor wind damage. Their levy on the west bank had held.

Once electricity was restored and authorities cleared residents to return to the city, church services resumed - Sunday school and choir, too. But without a blink, the church community also committed to serve for five years as a recovery center for rebuilding efforts. One of several such centers coordinated by the United Methodist Committee On Relief, the church now hosts a constant stream of volunteer work crews. People from all over the country come on short-term missions to help victims of the disaster clean up their homes and rebuild their lives.

Families seeking assistance call the church every day; volunteers receive assignments - many only a 15-minute ferry ride directly across the river where homes had been under 8-10 feet of water in the storm's aftermath. At the end of the day workers return, tired and dirty, to the church's fellowship hall to get showers, a warm meal, and a good night's sleep. Sunday service is enriched as members and visitors who have ministered together now worship side by side.

	Reflection questions • What needs to happen or change for your parish or family to shine a light that attracts others to the life of the Lord? • How can you, individually, help people around you desire to take part in Jesus' ministry?

The Epiphany reading from Isaiah proclaims the light of the Lord coming into a darkened world. That light attracts the people and the wealth of nations to gather and feel the throbbing heart of life in the presence of God.

The neighborhood church on the west bank of New Orleans has experienced a new birth in the light of the Lord as people from all over make sacrifices to "gather and come," and the congregation is radiant, its heart overflowing with the message and love of Jesus.

This column is presented in cooperation with the North Texas Catholic of Fort Worth, Texas.