Today begins a nationwide observance of Catholic Schools Week, recognizing Catholic Schools as communities of faith, knowledge, and service. Within our own parish, Our Lady of Fatima School has been fulfilling this role for 68 years.
Opportunities may arise each day that may not come our way again. In order to take advantage of them, one must seize the day (“Carpe diem!” as it is said in Latin). Sad to say, many times people just fail to respond, and lose out on an opportunity. God places an array of opportunities before his people; opportunities to choose life.
Having a variety of excuses tucked away in our consciences seems to be a part of our lives. Parents have them; children have them; employees have them; bosses have them; the government has them – and yes, even priests have them!
Today we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. On this feast, we recall the gifts that the Magi brought to present to the infant Jesus – gold which signified that he was a King, frankincense to signify that he was God, and myrrh, an ointment used to anoint the dead, to signify that he would suffer, die, and be buried for our salvation.