Seekers

     The world has always had seekers in her midst.  To the younger generation, they might define a seeker as the one who searches for the small, elusive gold flying object called a snitch during a game of quidditch.  But unless you are a Harry Potter fan, you wouldn't have a clue as to what I am talking about.
     But we have always had those inquisitive minds and longing souls who seek after truth - 'the" truth, or wisdom, or the mysteries of life, or the hidden treasure or purpose … or God.  Many a great story has been told about seekers and their search.  Many great characters in fiction and in the history of humankind are identified as seekers.  Hopefully you also are a seeker of that which is beyond your grasp as yet, but which your heart desires.

     We encounter three seekers in the gospel account yesterday for  the Feast of the Epiphany.  These magi came from the east and brought with them on their journey their hopes and desires as well as their hunger for truth and the meaning of life.  Magi were usually described as members of the priestly caste from Persia, sometimes referred to as kings as our Christmas carol calls them, wise men learned in the known knowledge of the ages and those who studied the heavens for signs and indications of great persons and great events.   These three in their study of the skies, saw the bright, new star at its rising and knew that it signified something tremendous, most likely the birth of a great king or someone who would change the course of history. They readily joined together in a journey of discovery, leaving everything they found security in to go into the unknown.  They became travelers, pilgrims on a great journey of enlightenment, followers of a star.
     These three came to the small nation of Israel, to the city of Jerusalem, for answers.  They heard of the words of the local Hebrew prophets about a Messiah to come, and the place of Bethlehem at his coming.  They came to Bethlehem and found Mary and her child in the house where they lodged.
      Then everything about them to that moment of time stopped, as they knelt before this child and offered him their gifts of gold which represented the wealth and power of the world fit for a king … frankincense which was the perfume and aroma offered to the gods fit for this God of gods … and myrrh, a strange gift of perfumed ointment reserved for preparing the body of a special person for their burial, foreshadowing his death which would lead to new life.   When they gazed upon him, their gifts seemed inadequate.  So they offered themselves … their homage … their hopes and dreams … their lives.  And all that they offered paled in comparison to what they had been given in return.
      Then their life began!  Scripture says that they returned home, never again to be the same.  They had received a glimpse into a new world, and these seekers were satisfied.

     We have so many hungers, so much discontent, so many uncertainties and unfulfilled hopes and dreams in this world.  But we search for the snitch, or the wealth and power of the world, or for knowledge (all too often without wisdom), for the elusive and the temporary fix.  We must be true seekers and come to that child who these magi found.  He grew in age and wisdom and as the God-man he gave himself for our sins on the wood of the Cross, bringing redemption.  And then, with the empty tomb, he revealed life eternal.  This revelation, this epiphany is his gift to us for our searching and for our gift of ourselves to him.  

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     On Friday morning, January 4th, we gathered to celebrate the funeral liturgy for Monsignor John Edward McCullough, 76, a retired  priest of the Diocese of Greensburg who served as a priest for fifty-one years.  No one locally knew him as John, but he was always Father Ed, or Monsignor Ed, or J. Edward or Ed.  He served in parishes throughout the diocese with his last being pastor of Saint Aloysius in Dunbar for over 26 years.  He served as head of the Mission Office for ten years as well as many other apostolates.

     Father Ed was a warm, outgoing, friendly guy who got along with everyone at all levels of society.  He loved to travel, loved to party and loved to be with people.  Personally I shared in his generous hospitality on a number of occasions in his home and in his travels, for which I am grateful.

     I ask that you keep him in your prayers and hearts as well as his family, his parish families, and our local Church.

May his soul and the souls of all of the faithful departed, Rest In Peace.  Amen.