Dear Fellow Parishioners:

Our Epiphany celebration recalls the charming story of three men from modern day Iran who brought gifts to the baby Jesus.  We identify with this story from Matthew’s Gospel because of the serene songs we sing and the fine figurines we put in our manger.  The story, however, is a bit less tranquil than we imagine.  In fact, if we examine the details, many would say that the “wise men” made a ridiculous journey.  They traveled through unfamiliar terrain under a blistering sun for several days while they risked being killed by roving bandits.  People must have called them the three fools for taking a dangerous trip, not for profit, but because of an irresistible longing to find a baby!
 
Like the wise men who found themselves on an irresistible journey, we must follow an irresistible longing in our hearts.  Life is a constant search for Jesus in the world around us and the world within us.  By following the prompting of God’s Spirit in our lives, we become the people that God created us to be.  We too risk looking like fools if we trust in this babe of Bethlehem.  People who do not share a faith in God will never fully understand our hope.
 
As a parish we are seeking Jesus, and Sunday Mass is our food for the journey.   As a community of disciples we commit ourselves to more fully reflect the image of God in our community.  Already a great parish, we are on a journey to being an even more vibrant parish.  Like the journey of the wise men, it will not be an easy endeavor to achieve all our hopes and dreams for Saint Ambrose Catholic Church.  What makes the journey irresistible is the vision of what we can become!  I am looking forward to seeing where the Spirit will lead us in 2014.
 
Your brother,
Fr. Kevin Carlin Kennedy