The Christmas Season ends this weekend with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Although the magic of the season comes to a close, as we take down our Christmas Trees and put away the Mangers, the “grace encounters” are just beginning for 2025.
Our homily series is about Grace - the grace of Jesus that we experience in every stage of our lives. Just like the Magi were changed during their encounter with the Christ child, so are we changed during our encounter with Christ in the grace-filled moments of life if we are astute enough to recognize them. I recently read that grace happens when our spirits are nourished.
Recently, I was part of a conversation with an older woman in her 90s. When asked “What was the happiest day of your life?” she paused, thought for a few moments and then gave a very thoughtful answer. She said that the happiest day of her life was the day that she got married because she was finally free to live her own life - to have her own family - to have her own home. She said that she had a man who loved her and that she loved and they could go through life together - that made her feel safe. You see, her mother died when she was 12 and she was a foster child until the age of 18. Her life to that point was full of uncertainty, but the grace of God nourished her spirit and brought her to a very different place.
Grace looks like kindness and compassion. Grace looks like a friend that helps whenever we get stuck. Grace comes from the wisdom of the elders when we take the time to listen.
The grace of God lives in every nook and cranny of our lives and brings meaning to our homes, jobs, life’s challenges and joys, relationships, parenting, and ordinary days. We just have to remind ourselves what to look for.