Throughout much of the world, today is the highlight of the Christmas season, the celebration of the Epiphany. Even if we are in a country which celebrates Epiphany on Sunday, the Lord will let us be part of the glories of Epiphany today. The wise men gave Jesus three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Mt 2:11). We too can give the Lord the gifts of our finances, prayers (see Rv 5:8), and sacrifices. We can give the Lord our lives. Of course, the Lord will not be outdone in generosity. We can't outgive God. Jesus has already given His life for us on the cross, and the Lord continues to give and outgive. Three gifts the Lord offers us today are "the Spirit and the water and the blood" (1 Jn 5:8). In other words, the Lord will renew in us the three sacraments of initiation into the Christian life: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. This means we, as children of God (see Mk 1:11) who are baptized in the Spirit (Mk 1:8), will live as conquerors of the world (1 Jn 5:5) and in possession of eternal life (1 Jn 5:12). Today is a day of gifts. Give all to the Lord; receive all from the Lord.One Bread, One Body
<< Friday, January 6, 2012 >>
St. André Bessette
Saint of the Day
1 John 5:5-13
View ReadingsPsalm 147:12-15, 19-20
Mark 1:7-11 or
Luke 3:23-38
GIFTED AND GIVING
Brother André spent most of his days in a narrow lodge, with only a table, some chairs and a bench as furnishings. He was attentive to the needs of all, smiling, obliging. In the evening he would engage in the difficult work of maintaining the parlor and hallway floors. He was on his knees until late at night, washing, polishing, and waxing by the dim light of a candle. Abbey of Saint-Joseph de Clairval
The use of candles is one of the loveliest Christmas customs that we can keep on using throughout the year. Now, more than ever, Christmas is a festival of light in a dark world, a time to hold our candles high, and to teach our children all the little ceremonies which make life gracious and full of meaning. No matter how long we live, nor how learned we become, we may travel the world over, and find nothing more beautiful than candlelight on the face of a child. "Now the Lord be thanked because we have light." Dorothy Albaugh Stickell