The poinsettias are gone, the crib and the lights are down and the Christmas season is over and now we begin the Ordinary Time of the Year with the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.

 Just a few thoughts on the Gospel passage for this weekend.

 1)      We come upon John the Baptist seeing Jesus and pointing to him: “This is the Lamb of God.” And with His baptism, Jesus the Lamb of God begins his ministry. Our call, through baptism, is to become involved in a Christ-centered ministry. We must give up any thoughts of using our ministry to achieve power, to lord over others, and instead, like Jesus, embrace prayer and forgiveness.

2)      John the Baptist saw Jesus and proclaimed, “Look, there is the Lamb of God. He is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit”. Jesus’ disciples would be given the same power, to transform the world. They would be given the power to create a new world, a world with a new way of living, the way of sacrificial love. When we sing the “Lamb of God,” we are remembering what Jesus did for us and what he is empowering us to do.

3)      John the Baptist found his reason for existence. He was to point out the Lamb of God to the world. His mission is not different from the mission of every Christian. We are to point out the Lamb of God to the world. There is nothing greater that any of us can do in our lives than point out Christ to others. John looked to Jesus and said: “There is the Lamb of God.” We have been called to do the same.

Vincent Pallotti was born in Rome in 1795, the son of a well-to-do grocer. In school he was known as a “little saint” and, although bright, he was also considered “a bit slow” – an illusion amply disproved by the apostolic endeavors of his life.

 He was ordained a priest when only twenty-three, and taking his doctorate in theology soon after, became an assistant professor at the Sapienza University of Rome.

 As a close friend of St. Gaspar del Bufalo, a missionary in Italy, he decided to give up his teaching post for a more apostolic life. Inflamed by the missionary spirit, he longed to send missionaries throughout the world and to work for the conversion of the Mohammedans.

 Don Pallotti, as he was known, was a great confessor and fulfilled that office at several colleges. He had an intense devotion to the Mystery of the Most Holy Trinity and a tender love for the Blessed Virgin Mary.

 In 1835 he began the Society of Catholic Apostolate. He organized schools for shoemakers, tailors, coachmen, joiners and market-gardeners to improve their education and general pride in their trade. He started evening classes for young workers and an institute to teach better methods of agriculture.

 Widely regarded as another St. Philip Neri, he was indefatigable in his work with those in need. Burning with zeal to save sinners, he once dressed as an old woman to reach a dying person whose relative had sworn to shoot the first priest to approach.

 He was also a great exorcist, and healed the sick with a word of encouragement or a blessing. He foresaw the future, and once predicted the movement of Catholic Action, even its name.
Vincent Pallotti died on January 22, 1850 at the age of fifty-five. When his body was exhumed in 1906 and again in 1950, it was found to be completely incorrupt. It is enshrined in the Church of St. Salvatore in Onda in Rome.

 Novena to St. Vincent Pallotti

 St. Vincent Pallotti, you were formed and called by God, the infinite Love. You answered God’s call to serve.

 You were there: for those seeking forgiveness and counsel, for the sick, for the youth and the aging, for the rich and the poor, for the people of every profession and walk of life. Every person is important to you. You inspire us to seek God in all things, Reminding us of our call to be apostles In the Church and in the world. Now we call upon you to intercede for us. Help us to pray. Help us to pray only for what we truly need; Help us to grow in holiness, to live for the honour of God and for the salvation of our neighbour. You received many graces from God and we ask you to bless us now by presenting our petitions to God (Pause to mention your intentions) With you we give thanks to God as if He had already granted us what we have asked in the name of Jesus who lives and reigns with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen! St. Vincent Pallotti, pray for us, Our Lady Queen of Apostles, pray for us, Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be…

Who were the magi from the east who came to Jerusalem and asked: “Where is the new-born King of the Jews?” Confusion, fear and the nervousness were evident in the reply they received. King Herod and the whole of Jerusalem were troubled, according to the Gospel. But so far as the Magi are concerned the fact remains: “We have seen his star in its rising and we have come to worship him.”

 Men on the Search

The Magi not only observed the signs of the time but also drew conclusions from them. Whoever they may be, God touched these “wise men from the east.” They readily responded to God’s call and set out without fear though the way was unknown and dangerous. A glimpse of the Lord, and presenting of gifts to Him – that was their aim, and no hazards, however great, could stop them.

Today’s feast reminds us that Christmas is something which happened long, long ago but is not all over: its message is still alive and perennial. The light that shone that day still shines, it is never extinguished. The message of ‘great joy’ proclaimed by the angel is still a reality. It says: God has appeared (theophany) and remains with us forever as Moses foresaw: “the whole world will be full of God’s glory.” (Num 14:21).

On the Road to Life

The Gospel speaks of human problems. These can be compared to those which Abraham had to encounter (Gen 12). We will not find our happiness in our homes, in our ghettos, in our own narrow circles of family and friends. We have to go out of ourselves. Man must always be engaged in his quest till he realizes the ultimate goal: eternal life.

On the road to life we have to face many troubles and many trials. Contrary to their expectations, the Magi had to meet with problems and difficulties on their journey. They naturally looked for the ‘new-born king’ in palaces, and their disappointments began there. But far from giving up, they continued their search. Finally, they arrived at their destination: in an insignificant place, in conditions unthinkable for a king. But their faith gave them assurance and they affirmed: “Yes, here is the King, the Savior of Mankind.” Their courage and wisdom led them to the Lord.

Adoration

The Gospels narrates “They bowed to the ground and adored him.” And they offered their gifts: Gold (the most noble and precious metal), frankincense (symbol of adoration, sacrifice) and myrrh (symbol of Christ’s redeeming death on the cross).

Faith is God’s gift which reveals to us His salvific plan. The Magi labored hard and persisted in their search to find the new born babe, the King of the Universe in Jerusalem, though no one else bothered about Him. They remained steadfast to the end, faithful to the light and inspiration which had awakened them. And God fulfilled their dream, and they returned with great joy, having seen God Himself.