Celebrate Epiphany!!

Use your white and green candles this week!

January 5th is a First Friday. If you're joining us in the devotion of The Sacred Heart of Jesus on First Fridays, don't forget to attend Mass!
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Saints to Celebrate We love celebrating throughout the 12 days of Christmas. It is a lovely season to celebrate our faith. Use your white or gold candle for the Christmas season. (Click here to learn more about the Christmas season)   These lovely candles are  available for purchase through Wolfe's Baldwin Brass Center Ordering candles from this link  financially supports this site. Thank you! Sunday, December 31 is the celebration of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in which Jesus grew in wisdom and faith.   Monday, January 1 is the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. It is also the world day of prayer for peace.   Tuesday, January 2 is the memorial of Saint Basil the Great and Saint Gregory Nazianzen, who were friends in school during the 4th century A.D., and were known for their holiness and intellectual greatness. Both men became  bishops and Doctors of the Church.   Wednesday, January 3 we celebrate the Most Holy Name of Jesus. When we say His name, it should always be with love and respect. Is that how you usually hear and use His name?   Thursday, January 4 is the memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the widow and mother of five children who was baptized Episcopalian, converted to Catholicism as an adult, and went on to found the first Catholic school in Maryland (1808) and a religious community of sisters.   Friday, January 5 is the memorial of St. John Neumann, an American bishop who strongly believed in the importance of education. During the mid-19th century he organized the building of many parishes and schools, and particularly served immigrants.    Saturday, January 6 is traditionally the last day of the Christmas season, known as Epiphany; however, Epiphany is so important it is now celebrated on the first Sunday after January 1st.

Devotion of the month

After a season of Advent full of anticipation, we aren't satisfied celebrating Christmas just one day. For more details about the special days of Christmas and the celebrations associated with them, click here.
 

All three readings encourage us to focus on family, including our own family unit, our extended family, Church family, and our universal family. In the first reading Hannah is so grateful for the gift of a child she dedicates him back to the Lord. Hannah's son, Samuel, would be the last judge of Israel and would anoint the great king, David, from whom the Savior would descend.

John, in our second reading, is so excited about the thought of a truly universal family filled with love, it seems he can hardly contain himself! He tells us that, because God loves us, we can believe in Him and love each other. Once we accept each person, rather than judge each person, it will all be revealed.

The Gospel tells us the story of the parents' desperate search for their lost Son. Many parents can imagine the consternation on the part of those parents when they find the adolescent Boy who simply says, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" Yet how inspirational for us - they take Him home and encourage His growth in faith and wisdom so that He could help bring all of us, every member of the family, back to His Father's house.

There are alternate readings possible for this Sunday. Fortunately, they also concentrate on love of family, so reflections of the readings above should, hopefully, be good preparation for the alternates as well.
 

1. 1 Jn 2:22-28
   This reading reminds us that Jesus is the true Revelation of God. There is no need for further revelations. Over time our understanding of this Revelation continues to improve; in fact, it sometimes seems too good to be true. Yet following Jesus is the ultimate Truth.
   
   So much in the world seems to be pulling us away from God. So many things seem too complex to ever be resolved. Yet it is really so simple - love one another and love God. That is what will bring us peace.
    
2. Jn 1:29-34
   It's no wonder we read the Gospel of John during the Christmas season. He leaves absolutely no doubt as to who Jesus is. This reading shows John the Baptist identifying Jesus as the Lamb of God who will take away the sin of the world, and also as the chosen One on whom the Spirit descended. If we are temped to let the Christmas season pass by without acknowledging the Incarnation, God's becoming man, the Gospel readings practically force us to stop and take notice. They also remind us of all three Persons in God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. What amazing gifts we continue to receive.

Open that Catechism!

We're celebrating the Holy Name of Jesus this week. Using God's name disrespectfully is called blasphemy, a grave sin. Read about it in paragraph #2148 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

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