We have now begun Ordinary Time. This is the time designated by the Church as being between one liturgical season and another. We will remain in Ordinary Time until Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Being in Ordinary Time does not mean our lives are ordinary. Hardly, especially with the pandemic. Hopefully, the vaccines will help…
“WE ARE URGED TO MOVE QUICKLY BEYOND THE INTIMATE SCENE OF JESUS’S BIRTH TOWARD THE MORE CHALLENGING VISION OF HIS BAPTISM. IN SHORT, WE ARE ASKED TO MOVE…FROM CONCERN FOR INTIMACY TO CONCERN FOR COMMUNITY.” (A Christmas Sourcebook, p.144) Today is the FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD! The baptism of Jesus by John…
“THE GIFTS OF GOD ARE MULTIPLIED… FOR THOUGH THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS TELL…ONLY THREE MEN…CAME FROM THE DISTANT EAST… YET WE SEE THE SAME THING HAPPENING ON A FAR LARGER SCALE IN THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF ALL WHO ARE CALLED.” (A Christmas Sourcebook, p.117) Today is the FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY! Epiphany means manifestation, and today’s feast…
“LET US TOO STAND IN THE TEMPLE AND HOLD GOD’S SON AND EMBRACE HIM; AND THAT WE MAY DESERVE LEAVE TO WITHDRAW AND START ON OUR WAY TOWARDS A BETTER LAND…”. (A Christmas Sourcebook, p.85) Today is HOLY FAMILY SUNDAY! This day celebrates Joseph, Mary and Jesus as a model of family life for us….
EGREDIETUR VIRGA DE RADICE JESSE, ET REPLEBITUR OMNIS TERRA GLORIA DOMINI:ET VIDEBIT OMNIS SALUTARE DEI. A NEW SHOOT SHALL SPRING FROM THE ROOT OF JESSE, AND ALL THE EARTH WILL BE FILLED WITH THE GLORY OF THE LORD. ALL FLESH WILL SEE THE SALVATION BY OUR GOD.” (An Advent Sourcebook, p. 130) The Gospel for the Fourth…
“THE END OF ALL THINGS IS AT HAND. THEREFORE, BE SERIOUS AND SOBER FOR PRAYERS. ABOVE ALL, LET YOUR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER BE INTENSE, BECAUSE LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS.” (An Advent Sourcebook, p.77) When the people met John, they wanted to know who he was, why he was there, and what his…
“CONVERTERE DOMINE ALIQUANTUM,ET NE TARDES VENIRE AD SERVOS TUOS.TURN TOWARD US, LORD, IF ONLY FOR A MOMENT,HURRY TO YOUR SERVANTS.” (An Advent Sourcebook, p.50) John the Baptist always appears in the Gospel on the Second Sunday of Advent. He lived in the desert with an extreme group called the Eseenes. He looked different than most folks at…
“JUCUNDARE, FILIA SION,EXSULTA SATIS FILIA, JERUSALEM, ALLELUIA.DAUGHTER SION, BE GLAD!DANCE, DANCE, DAUGHTER JERUSALEM! ALLELUIA.(An Advent Sourcebook, p.29) Today begins the Season of Advent, the new church year. This year is the Year of Mark, and Cycle B of the Sunday readings. Also, we have changed the color of the season from green to blue, which…
Today is the FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING! This feast celebrates that Jesus is the King of the Universe. But his kingship is very different from all other kings. He never wore regal robes, just the purple robe he wore to his execution. His crown was not one of gold and jewels, but of thorns….
We have a new President and Vice-President, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. May they work together with the new Congress to move our country forward so that the United States continues to be a sign of hope, strength, and freedom for all Americans and all nations around the world. Congratulations to them and to all…