Blog Post 1/07/2024 – The Epiphany of the Lord

 

“A child is born to us, a son is given us, upon his shoulder dominion rests.  They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.”  [Isaiah 9:5 A Reading from Morning Prayer 1/06/2024]

As we celebrate the Three Kings worshiping the Lord, we should take a few minutes to reflect on the Lord’s place in our lives, in our decisions and in our actions.  Today we join with Holy Mother Church for the Epiphany Proclamation 2024

In ancient times before calendars were common, most people did not know the dates for the upcoming Liturgical year. On Epiphany Sunday, the upcoming dates were "proclaimed" after the Gospel in this way:

Dear brothers and sisters,
the glory of the Lord has shone upon us,
and shall ever be manifest among us,
until the day of his return.

Through the rhythms of times and seasons
let us celebrate the mysteries of salvation.

Let us recall the year's culmination,
the Easter Triduum of the Lord:
his last supper, his crucifixion, his burial,
and his rising celebrated
between the evening of the Twenty-eighth day of March
and the evening of the Thirtieth day of March,
Easter Sunday being on the Thirty-first day of March.

Each Easter -- as on each Sunday --
the Holy Church makes present the great and saving deed
by which Christ has for ever conquered sin and death.
From Easter are reckoned all the days we keep holy.

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent,
will occur on the Fourteenth day of February.

The Ascension of the Lord will be commemorated on
Sunday, the Twelfth day of May or Thursday, the Ninth day of May.

Pentecost, joyful conclusion of the season of Easter,
will be celebrated on the Nineteenth day of May.

And, this year the First Sunday of Advent will be
on the First day of December, 2024.

Likewise the pilgrim Church proclaims the Passover of Christ
in the feasts of the holy Mother of God,
in the feasts of the Apostles and Saints,
and in the commemoration of the faithful departed.

To Jesus Christ, who was, who is, and who is to come,
Lord of time and history,
be endless praise, for ever and ever.  Amen.

 

May God Be Praised.

 

 

Blog Post 1/06/2024 – Homily Offered at OLPH for Salesian Saturday

  

Homily Offered at OLPH for Salesian Saturday 1/06/2024.

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010624.cfm

As we near the end of the Christmas Season, tomorrow we celebrate The Epiphany and Monday we celebrate The Baptism of the Lord it is good for us to reflect on how we will live the Christmas Message when “The Work of Christmas Commences.”

Saint Teresa of Calcutta asked this question, “Will you collaborate with God so He can use you to do His work here on earth?”  

Dr. Howard Thurman wrote these beautiful and powerful words about when the work of Christmas begins.  [It begins when we]: find the lost,  heal the broken hearted, feed the hungry, release the prisoner, rebuild the nations, bring peace among brothers [and sisters], make music in the heart.”  (Sick, and You cared for Me, Homilies & reflections for Cycle B)

Dr. Thurman’s entire poem will be on my blog this Tuesday [1/09] the beginning of Ordinary Time.  Today begin the work of Christmas and ask for God’s grace to continue it all year.

 

May God Be Praised.

 

*Brother Mickey McGrath’s artwork is available at: https://www.bromickeymcgrath.com/

Blog Post 1/05/2024 – What is your goal?

 

What is your goal?

 

Léon Bloy wrote, “The only real sadness, the only real failure, the only great tragedy in life, is not to become a saint.”

Our goal should be “to be” a saint.

 

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May God Be Praised.

 

 

 

**You can find Kelly Latimore’s work at https://kellylatimoreicons.com/

 

Blog Post 1/04/2024 - From Psalm 18

 

Psalm 18

“You, O Lord, are my lamp, my God who lightens my darkness.”  

 

Lord, lead me to Your light for it will scatter the darkness and guide me.

 

May God Be Praised.

Blog Post 1/03/2024 - Go with the Lord

 

Go with the Lord

An African Proverb offers us this advice, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”  Sometimes at Mass we want to go fast, but the Lord is calling us to go with Him and we will go far.

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May God Be Praised. 

 

** You can find Kelly Latimore’s work at https://kellylatimoreicons.com/

 

Blog Post 1/02/2024 – Our Wait continues.

 

Our Wait continues.

What we await are new heavens and a new earth where, according to His promise, the justice of God will reside.  [2 Peter 3:13]

May God Be Praised.

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**You can find Kelly Latimore’s work at https://kellylatimoreicons.com/

 

Blog Post 1/01/2024 - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Follow Her Example

 

On this feast day, we honor the Blessed Mother as the Mother of Jesus Christ.  It is celebrated on the 8th day of Christmastide, which falls on the 1st of January.  Never stop going to the Blessed Mother, she is waiting.

Blessed are you who have believed because the Lord’s promises will be accomplished in you.  Mary responded:  My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.   Come, and listen, and I will tell what great things God has accomplished for me.  My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.  [Luke 1:45, 46 Psalm 66:16]

Today spend a few minutes on allow the Lord’s promises to be the foundation of your life and chose, like Mary to say yes to God.  May your life proclaim the greatness of the Lord.

 

 

May God Be Praised.