Happy New Year and Happy Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord. Since this is a Jubilee Year, I pray that this year will be full of hope, good health, love, and a time of true encounter with the Lord Jesus. Today, we celebrate the Epiphany, the revelation, of the God-man and the awesome significance this event has for all people. The prophet Isaiah speaks of a great light, the glory of the Lord, which has overcome the darkness to make Jerusalem a shining example to all nations. He also prophesies…
Today, on this Octave day of Christmas, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. I can think of no more significant way to ring in a new year than to recall the events of this eighth day of Jesus’ life. Let us reflect on these matters a bit more deeply.
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. This Feast Day is celebrated on the Sunday that falls within the Octave of Christmas. The Christmas Octave is the eight days from Christmas Day to the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, on January 1st. The Nativity of our Blessed Lord is so important that we spend an entire week reflecting on the awesome significance of the Word made flesh. As St. John reminded us on Christmas Day, “In the beginning was…
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light….” “And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’” Tonight, we celebrate the Nativity of the Lord, the one event that left the world forever changed. As the prophet says, “For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed….” My friends, the…
