Just as Thanksgiving and Christmas are a big and happy season in America, Vietnamese New Year is a big and happy season in Vietnam. There is officially no work for the whole country on the first three days of the New Year. Before these days, people prepare to clean the house, buy groceries, buy new clothes, fix and make it a new in and outside the house preparing for the New Year. Besides all these cultural traditions, those who are Catholics go to Church on these first three days of New Year. During these first three days of New Year, it is a time for family and friends to greet each other with “ mừng tuổi ” or “happy birthday,” as this is also the traditional birthday of everyone when everyone’s age simultaneously increases by one year. The oldest child, normally the firstborn male, will greet “ mừng tuổi ” to the parents first, then parents will give red envelop to each child in a family. This practice takes place, at least in my family, right after we all come back from what it called “ Thánh Lễ Giao Thừa, ” Mass of the Transition from the Old to the New Year or New Year Eve Mass. In this Mass, we first thank God for the old year and pray for peace during the coming year. On the second day of New Year is the Mass for the Remembrance of Ancestors those who have gone before us. On the third day of New Year is the Mass for the Sanctification of Human Labor to pray for prosperity.
The magi from the East set out to search for the newborn king of the Jews with faith in their understanding, while the chief priests and the scribes of the people knew exactly where and when the newborn King of Israel was born but didn’t do anything nor bother to go just to see. Understanding is a gift from the Lord, but that gift will become valueless if there is no faith involved. Saint John Paul II made no mistake when he explained that faith and understanding in the book Fidet et Ratio are like the two wings of a bird that the bird cannot rise to the truth when one of the wings is broken. The feast of the Epiphany, perhaps, is a time for us to polish and to balance both of our faith and understanding in continuing to celebrate the birth of the Savior who comes to us fully human and fully divine.
Just as in the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets. The star was leading the magi to come to adore the Savior. In these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. In our days, we are invited to follow the examples of the Holy Mary, the Holy Mother of God to watch over us and to care for us. What is your resolution for this New Year if it’s not to keep the Sabbath, Sunday’s Obligation, and the Holy Days of Obligation faithfully? This simple resolution might require a great effort. The decision is yours.
