I love to travel, especially solo. There’s nothing I love more than finding myself totally alone in a new city — not speaking the language, knowing no one, with a week or more ahead of me to see the sights and explore every corner I can. 


The gospel reading for this week tells the story of fellow travellers: the Magi, believed to be kings of far-off countries and wise men. They didn’t have the ability to hop on a plane or take public transit like I do — they travelled slowly, likely on camels and on foot, for many months. They had to pack food and water in addition to the generous gifts they brought for the new King. 


I travel for fun, for the joy of finding that perfect restaurant or finally seeing that famous work of art for myself. But the Magi were not just travellers: they were pilgrims. Bethlehem was not the Paris of Judea, but a small backwater town. At a time when most people never left the village of their birth, these wise men travelled across most of the known world to see the new King of the Jews. 


I wonder if they were surprised. I can imagine them entering Jerusalem — a magnificent city, densely populated, with a beautiful temple to God at the centre, and thinking they must be in the right place. Instead, a whole crowd of priests and scribes had to gather and analyze scripture to figure out where this newborn must be. They follow directions faithfully to find a small, poor family — a teenage girl, her carpenter husband, and their baby wrapped in simple swaddling cloths, living in the simplest accommodations during a census. I would understand if their eyes had simply glazed over this ordinary sight and they’d kept looking! Where was the gold, the silk, the castle, the cooks and maids and butlers? 


But our pilgrims saw what almost no one else did. They stopped, celebrated, prostrated before Jesus and Mary; laid gifts at His feet. These men were not Jewish, but they had great faith — faith that this poor baby was not just a fellow king but the King, the King of kings, a King worthy of their homage. They left treasures for Him with His mother. They believed when their dreams told them that Herod, the official ruler of this land, was terrified of the threat posed by this simple carpenter’s son. And they departed, having seen nothing but a baby, because they knew they had met Someone very, very special. 


Many of us are returning from Christmas pilgrimages, great and small. As we enjoy our last moments with loved ones and begin the journeys long and short toward home, take a moment to remember the Magi — the men wise enough to know that meeting the baby Jesus was the reason for their journey — and give thanks for the ways you encountered Him this Christmas. His presence in the smallest, simplest moments may surprise you!




Jenna Young

I am often unaware of how deeply influenced I am by principles of individualism. When I consider my culture and context, it is no wonder that this environment has shaped my thoughts, emotions, and behaviour. It is a challenge to prioritize and build community while immersed in a world that values independence, self-efficacy, and meritocracy. The temptation to turn inward is strong, and the movement can be become a habit that prevents us from recognizing the common humanity in our neighbours and reaching out to them in love.


Even in community, we can, collectively, fall into the trap of creating unhealthy “us” versus “them” dichotomies and becoming self-serving. At times, we unnecessarily exclude those who wish to participate, or we attempt to push out those who are already invested and contribute to internal division. In contrast, Christ gathers everyone into Himself, from all the places they have been scattered, and He unites us as one body, in Him. The Word incarnate seeks to restore the original unity we knew in the garden, and through His beauty and goodness He helps us remember, and invites us to realize our identity as beloved sons and daughters of God.


What does it mean to be members of the same body? This is what I want to reflect on this week. How is God calling me to live more fully in the reality of this “oneness”? Holy Spirit, when I find my attention drawn to the differences, eccentricities, and dissonances between myself and others, can you re-direct me to recognize our commonalities? Please, help us draw closer to Your heart, to the love and unity of the Trinity, so that we may know You and give ourselves joyfully to You and Your mission. Amen.




Kendra L.

Christmas has come. In spite of the pandemic, many people have tried their best to celebrate this season, even braving risk and exposure to the Covid-19 virus by traveling to hometown destinations to be with their loved ones. Online shopping has become an important activity in every household as people attempt to continue to show their love and care through gift giving.

In celebrating this season, most people, even the believers, do not fully acknowledge that ’Jesus is the reason for the season’. We forget that we are celebrating the birth of our Saviour. I too get caught up in the frenzy of shopping and gift giving and the busyness surrounding the end of the year activities for my workplace, and I sometimes forget to stop and think about why I do these things.

Many nations celebrate this season in their own way. These traditions are a manifestation of the importance of Jesus in people’s lives. But… have they really adored Him? Have I adored Him?

As the year comes to a close, many Christians go through the exercise of assessing the year that has passed and making resolutions for the year that will come. It is during this time that I acknowledge how great my God is! He has delivered me from so many difficulties and carried me through several challenges. There were many times when He answered my prayers and countless occasions He guided me along the right path. There were also unanswered prayers but in time I understood why my requests were not granted. I acknowledge God’s goodness to me. I bow down as I reflect on the goodness of my Lord who takes good care of me even during those times when I was not aware that I needed help.

I realize that in some way, I adore God through my service in the community by the things that I do to spread His Word. I adored Him through my actions and now in this new year, I resolve to spend more time with Him in the Blessed Sacrament as I adore Him with my heart. 


Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.
– 1 Chronicles 29:11




Liz Venezuela
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Happy New Year!

I find that the new year is always filled with a notion of new beginnings and opportunities; with those around us trying to start the year on “the right foot” and having an air of immense positivity. It can certainly be inspiring and motivating for some, while others may not relate to these feelings. To say the least, times are difficult in our world right now. Many of us are tired, burnt out, or living with sadnesses and burdens that can feel all too much at times. In these circumstances, it might be difficult to feel that our lives are together enough to sit and write down our top 10 goals for 2022. And I want to let you know (and remind myself!) that that is completely okay. God does not wait for our lives to be all together and tidy to come into our hearts and show His great and perfect love for us. 

At Saint Benedict Parish’s Christmas Eve Mass, Fr. Simon Lobo’s homily reminded me of the beauty of God’s timing. God sent His only son into the world in a non-conventional, likely stressful way. Just before Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph’s plans and preparations were uprooted, resulting in them having to travel by donkey for a whole week while Mary was 9 months pregnant. Furthermore, when they arrived at their destination, there was no place for them to stay at the inn. They were sent to a dirty stable with animals where Mary was to give birth, which would have posed many health risks. I can only imagine how fearful Mary and Joseph must have been at that time. But, they had faith and trusted in the Lord, and because it was God’s will, it was perfect. Jesus came into the world exactly as God intended, even though it may have seemed to be imperfect. 

God loves and desires you in your imperfectness. As the Isaiah 60:1-6 reading proclaims, He longs for you and desires the best for you even in the darkness. No matter what circumstances you are in at this moment, the light of the Lord is yours to accept. I pray that I may start 2022 with the knowledge that God will always be with me, even in the darkest, most chaotic moments, and that His love has no conditions. Amen.




Megan Noye
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