Manifest — JohnFifteen

Jan 7

Jan 7 Manifest

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to go on a three-week mission trip in Peru. I was not a priest yet, but we had a guide who lived in Peru as a missionary and so he led the group of 16 young adults.

While we were in Peru, part of the mission program was that our guide did not reveal to us where we were going and when in advance. There was no itinerary or schedule to follow.

So when we flew into Peru, we landed in Lima, the country’s capital and spent a day touring the city. Then that night before we went to sleep, our guide told us that we would wake up at 4 in the morning and that we needed to be packed up because we would fly by plane the next day. Where? He didn’t tell us!

After a 2 hour flight to city of Arequipa, we settled into another place to stay for the day. Once again, we got to see the city and once again that same night, we were told that the following morning we would be taking a long bus ride.

It was frustrating not knowing where we were going, and every time I got settled into a new place, I had no idea how long I would stay. After a few more days of travel we finally arrived in Macusani, where we spent most of our time on mission evangelizing to the children and parents there.

I must admit that it took some time for me to let go and to trust the guide but it also was an exercise in trusting God. Little by little, I stopped worrying about where I was going or how long, and just began following wherever I was led.

It was not until that summer that I began to understand what my parents experienced leaving Vietnam not knowing where they were going or for how long. (Some of you also came here to the United States, not knowing what God had planned for you.)

Today we celebrate the Epiphany (or the manifestation) of the Lord. Which is actually three parts: The three Magi’s, The Baptism of the Lord and the Wedding at Cana. In these three instances, Jesus is revealed as truly the King of Kings, the Son of God and the Lord of All.

In the first “epiphany,” the three magi’s go in search for the King of the Jews, the Savior. In many ways, they are on a journey as well, and like my mission trip in Peru. They left all that they knew in search for a savior and they had no idea where they were going and how long it would take to get there.

In fact, they couldn't even be certain that they were going the right way. There was no neon sign in the sky that said: “King of the Jews this way.” All they had was the light of a star guiding them. “But was it the right star? If they followed the other star, perhaps it's the one that will take me to the Lord.”

In many ways, our experience is much like that of the three magi’s. Sometimes people tell me, if only God would just tell me exactly what to do and I’ll do it. If he would just spell it out for me, “Fr. Khoi, I want you go talk to so and so…” it would so much easier. But often, that’s not how God speaks to us. Instead, what he does is simply gives us a star to light up the path in front of us so that we can see where we are walking and in which direction. The rest we just have to trust Him.

Every week, when you come to Mass, you too should have a similar experience to the three magi’s. Every time you go to Mass, you leave the comforts of your home and work and make a journey here. The hope is that in the Word of God and in the Homily, some light is shone on your own life and a path is made clear about which direction you need to go. Then even in a humble place as this tent and in that wooden tabernacle… you encounter Christ himself in the Eucharist and offer gifts and adoration. Then at the end you are sent out with joy hopefully, like the magi’s, returning home in a different way, “Go in peace.”