Happy new year of grace to you and to all whom your ministry serves! We complete the Octave of Christmas as we open a fresh page of a new calendar. This month contains two solemnities: Mary Mother of God, which is also the World Day of Peace (1); as well as Epiphany, which is Orthodox Christmas as well as the traditional day for the Blessing of Homes (7).

Too many kings introduces the problem in the eternal story of powers and principalities. So doggone many earthly authorities vie for our allegiance.

They were parishioners I had gotten to know well. After Mass, they stopped and asked me if I had ever seen the birth of a child. I hadn’t. I had just been with a dear friend of mine when he died surrounded by his family in his rectory room.

The Epiphany of the Lord shines a radiant light on us and shows us the way to peace and prosperity. Let us prepare ourselves by acknowledging our sins and turning our attention to the saving mystery of our faith.

I always like those moments of epiphany, when you have the next destination. 

Browse our library for additional Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Cycle B material.

View the Take Five weekly for January 7, 2024.