Florida Catholic | Migration Day Mass

In Christ, we are all one family

TANYA GOODMAN | FLORIDA CATHOLIC ORLANDO BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 01.11.08

ORLANDO | They were strangers in a strange land. Unified in purpose, they set out on a journey to seek the newborn king, filled with inspiration and hope and guided by the bright light of a star.

“The Gospel doesn’t tell us how many Magi there were. Pious tradition says three,” said Bishop Thomas Wenski in his homily at the Migration Day Mass Jan. 6 at the St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Altamonte Springs.

“But given how the infancy narratives have been deconstructed and reconstructed by scholars using the method of literary-historical criticism, you might not be surprised that some would say that the Magi weren’t even men,” Bishop Wenski said. “After all, they did stop in Jerusalem to ask Herod for directions. And what man does that?”

Laughter arose from more than 600 attendees, and a few women nodded their heads in affirmation.

The simple meaning of the second chapter of Matthew was that Jesus came for all people, the bishop said. “He is not the exclusive property of any race, tribe or nation. This week we observe, in many parishes throughout the United States, National Migration Week,” said Bishop Wenski. “It’s a tough time for parishes or schools really to do this week any justice — for it comes so close to the Christmas holiday. But Epiphany is certainly a most appropriate time to take notice and honor the diversity of our nation and our church.”

“This year’s theme is ‘From many, one family of God.’ And, given the harsh and divisive rhetoric surrounding the issue of immigration in recent months,” he continued, “it is certainly a theme that is timely. If Christ has come to make us adoptive children of his Father, then in that same Christ we are — regardless of our race, class or station in life — brothers and sisters to one another.”

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In Christ, we are all one family

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