Dear Parishioners:
- The fourth-week in Ordinary Time this year is February 2 and traditionally, the Church celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. This feast is known as the feast of Encounter in the Eastern Church where it began. In 1997, Pope John Paul II instituted a world day of prayer for consecrated life attached to this feast. Of course, in the United States and Canada, when one hears February 2, what comes to mind is Groundhog Day, the day when a prediction is made about how many more weeks of winter are left depending on whether the groundhog sees his shadow or not.
But unlike the uncertainty of the weather, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord has a sense of certainty associated with it. In this feast, we celebrate the certainty of the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel that is fulfilled in Jesus but that is extended to the entire world. And, we celebrate the continuation of God’s love in our own world, of God continually reaching out towards us and inviting us into a relationship or encounter.
As we reflected on the reading from Luke, we will be struck by two aspects.
The first involved Mary and Joseph bringing Jesus to the temple. In a way, they make Jesus present. The second aspect is of Simeon and Anna recognizing Jesus as the promised one.
As disciples of Jesus, each one of us is called to embrace both these aspects. To be the presence of Jesus in the world around us and to be able to recognize Jesus as revealed or made present by others.
- Please keep our Bishops from Region XII (U.S. West Coast and included our Archdiocese of Seattle) will begin an ad limina (periodically visit with the Pope and the tomb of St. Peter) this coming week in Rome. Of particular interest will be a Mass on Monday morning (February 3) in the crypt of St. Peter Basilica, followed by a two and a half-hour meeting with Pope Francis. And then, the following week, the regional bishops will have their annual retreat together in Siena.
- We continue to celebrate “Catholic School Week”, for those who have had Catholic Education, we are truly grateful. So, please encourage and pray for the success of the continuing Catholic Education in our time.
- As people who love “Football”, across the nation or even the whole world, there’s an opportunity to enjoy the best that the game of Football can deliver from this Sunday, February 2 - Super Bowl LIV matchup between the two teams: The Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, May the best team win….
Have a wonderful week in the Joy of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Christ’s Peace,
Fr. Phuong Hoang