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St. Benedict the Abbot Church
Mass Schedule

Sunday Masses

Saturday          5:00 pm (Vigil)

Sunday            7:30 am
                        10:00 am
                        12:30 pm
                         6:00 pm  (Sept.—May. only)

Weekday Masses

Tues., Wed., Thurs.         6:30 am
Monday - Saturday           8:30 am

Confession

Wednesday        6:30 - 7:00 pm
Saturday            11:00 - 11:30 am
                           Also by personal appt.

Office Hours

Monday -           8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Friday

Sunday              8:30 am - 12:00 pm

St. Benedict the Abbot Church

120 Abington Drive,
McMurray, PA 15317-3398
Phone: (724) 941-9406
Fax: (724) 941-9517

E-mail :

Father Sam's Forum

We really don’t know much at all about the Magi, or the Wisemen as some call them. There is nothing in the text of Scripture that says they were kings, nor does it indicate how many there were. Because of other references from the Old Testament, the notion of kings coming to visit the Newborn King of the Jews developed, and because of the three gifts mentioned by Matthew in the gospel, their number seemed to be set at three, one gift per king.

What is important and what we do know about this feast we celebrate today is that it continues the story of Incarnation, God in human flesh, and that its point is to tell us that those who should do not always recognize the Lord, while outsiders do. It’s a very common theme for St. Matthew who said of the religious leaders that “tax collectors and prostitutes” were entering the Kingdom before them. The call to conversion was heeded, but not by those who would have been first by virtue of their role in religion.

This speaks volumes to us today. The late Cardinal of Chicago, Joseph Bernardin, made this challenge once: “Will you join me in becoming a living sign of Christ’s loving presence so that all...might experience His love?” The word Epiphany means manifestation. As the Lord was shown to Gentiles, the Magi, so he has to be shown to the world through us, through our love, our care, our compassion, as the cardinal wrote. It’s bringing light to darkness. We witness some religious leaders in every land today who fail to see that we are all children of God.

What about dialogue with those of other faiths. What prejudices do we have about Muslims or Jews? Other faith groups? Do we paint everyone of a particular religion with the same brush? That would be sinful because it is against justice and truth. How can we learn about other faiths? I was a little surprised to hear one of our seventh grade classes discuss this topic a few weeks ago, and the students were in agreement that they wouldn’t want to be anything but Catholic. We believe that our Church, descended from Christ through his apostles and their successors, is the real “church” and so contains the truth necessary for salvation. Other faith groups seek the truth and have some share in the truth for certain. When we learn as a world, to work together and for the common good, then we can dialogue peacefully about our differences in doctrine and understanding and come to a better acceptance of how to live with our disagreements.

This is not to say that every religion is equal or that one is as good as another. Parents will sometimes remark that even though their children now practice a different faith they are happy that “at least they are going to church,” or “it keeps them on the straight and narrow,” or “isn’t it just about knowing that there is a God?”

Yes, and no. God revealed Himself to us in the person of Jesus, and Jesus, whom we call the Christ, left a community with the charge to continue his mission. So we believe and teach that our Church goes back to Christ. It wasn’t started by someone in the 16th century or 20th century. It came from the special relationship of God with the People of Israel, sealed in the covenant of blood that Jesus shed on the cross. But while we hold this to be true, it still calls us to be respectful and considerate of other faiths and to learn together how to bring the light to the darkness.

Need Confidential assistance? Companionship and understanding for a difficult time? Stephen Ministers are here to help you. Call 724.941.5026.