This week we'll be reviewing the most important part of our Mass - The Liturgy of the Eucharist. Let's start with appreciating the Preparation of the Gifts. Our children take turns setting the table for our family meal. We like to remind them that, if they watch closely, they'll see the same thing at this part of the Mass. (Learn more)

We've been discussing how being Catholic leads us down the path to happiness. The greatest barrier to happiness is sin, yet few people eagerly admit their sins if they can possibly avoid it. Nevertheless, acknowledging fault is the first step in the conversion process. (Read more)

Henri Nouwen offers great insight on sin and forgiveness in his book Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming. A friend recommended it to us and it has been the basis of some wonderful discussions.
 

Use your green candle Sunday and Monday.  Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday to celebrate  Ordinary Time. Learn about the saints with Butler's Lives Of The Saints

• Monday, January 28 use a white candle for the memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, the patron saint of schools. In school young Thomas earned the nickname "Dumb Ox"  because he was very quiet and rather large. However, his teachers realized he was brilliant and encouraged him in his studies. Although his family did not want him to enter the religious life, Thomas persisted and became a priest. His intellectual writings have helped shape Catholic theology since the 13th century.
   
• Thursday, January 31 use a white candle for the memorial of St. John Bosco, the 19th century priest who believed the whole person could be fortified by God in work and play. He not only educated youth, he also taught them trades and emphasized the importance of practicing faith in every aspect of life.
   
• Friday, February 1 is the memorial of St. Brigid of Ireland. Continue to use a green candle, but celebrate the Irish! We seem to have a Bridget in every generation, so this is a special day.
   
• Saturday, February 2 use a white candle for the feast of The Presentation of the Lord, NOT  for Groundhog Day! This special day has a long history. Click here for a brief overview.

A solemnity is a day of greatest importance. The celebration starts the evening before the actual solemnity. Easter is our most important solemnity. A feast is the next most important day. It commemorates Mary, the apostles, martyrs and other saints, and the events associated with them. Mass readings often reflect the special feast day. A memorial is a special day, but often an optional celebration. The scripture readings for Mass may or may not be specially selected for the memorial.
 

We've figured out Morning Prayer!
Learn the Liturgy of the Hours with us!

Our family has never prayed the Liturgy of the Hours together, but we hope to start during Lent. This week we've figured out Morning Prayer! Next week we'll work on Evening Prayer. Please join us. (Click here to learn more)

Daily prayers for the Liturgy of the Hours are found in these sources:
 Christian Prayer: The Liturgy of the Hours
 Saint Joseph Guide for the Liturgy of the Hours (St. Joseph Liturgy Guides)

Did you think Christmas was over?

Most likely the Christmas decorations are packed away for another year, the thank-you notes have been sent, and we are aware that Lent is quickly approaching. Then our Sunday readings throw us a curve ball. The first passage from Isaiah sounds familiar. In fact, it is the same first reading that was read at Christmas midnight Mass! Lest we get complacent in the middle of Ordinary Time, our liturgical year reminds us to keep Christmas in our minds. The Light has come into our world and the Kingdom is here.

Isaiah's words in the first reading are meant to give hope to the people of Judah. Yet one may wonder why we need to know anything about strange places like Zebulun and Naphtali. A little history lesson may help.

By 1000 B.C. King David united the twelve tribes of Israel into a great nation. Although Solomon ruled this kingdom after the death of David, Solomon's son Reheboam could not keep the nation together. The ten northern tribes formed the monarchy called Israel, with Samaria as its capital. The two southern tribes, Judah and Benjamin, formed the monarchy called Judah with the capital in Jerusalem. Both kingdoms existed for several hundred years. Unfortunately, Assyria conquered the northern kingdom, starting with the territories of the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali. This defeat was long associated with darkness. When Judah was likely to be overtaken by the Babylonians, Isaiah encouraged his people. He assured them Light would come again, and His people would unite and rejoice. There was no reason for despair.

In Matthew's Gospel we hear the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. Jesus, after His Baptism and the arrest of John the Baptist, leaves Nazareth and goes to Galilee. The land of Galilee is the land of pagans, the same land that was once controlled by King David - the land of Zebulun and Naphtali. Jesus went to the territories of Israel that seceded from the united monarchy. The same territories that were the first to be conquered by the Assyrians. Jesus began His ministry in the lost areas of complete darkness. From there he began to rebuild His Kingdom. We hear the call of the first of twelve men who will become the new twelve tribes of Israel. Their response to Jesus was immediate conversion. These tribes, led by Peter, would forever be united by the Baptism of the Messiah.

Paul's letter to the Corinthians details a grave concern. Despite God's coming into our world, Christians were steeped in darkness and forgetting Christ. They were more interested in the words of earthly leaders than the message of Christ. Things are not so different these days. One might immediately consider the continued tensions between Catholics and the multitude of Protestant denominations. However, looking closer to home can reveal just how much division exists among Catholics themselves, our parishes, and even within our own families. Paul's message is clear - get over the division and focus on unity and purpose. Our jobs do not involve squabbling with each other. We are called to holiness and to spread the Good News.
 

Lectionary readings for the 3rd Week of Ordinary Time: