This week, the week of 10-18 January, is being observed as International Snowmobile Safety and Awareness Week, an observance designed to "expose people to safe snowmobiling practices and to demonstrate how operating safely can prevent mishaps."
For more information related to this observance, please visit:
International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association: 2026 International Snowmobile Safety Week
"How does it seem as though two people are talking past each other? Or that two people are firmly convinced that, individually, they're in the right but the other is in the wrong?
"I'm amazed at how frequently I misinterpret the actions of others or ascribe completely erroneous motivations to them. The result is broken communication, a mess of misunderstandings and frustration. It's funny, we can even catch ourselves in the act of misinterpreting someone but, yet, go ahead and do it anyway.
"There’s a way to fix the habits that lead to broken communication, and I'm going to suggest an unlikely starting place. . . ."
In a recent commentary, Father Michael Rennier reflected on how keeping the Eighth Commandment can be a strting place for fixing broken communication.
To access Fr. Rennier's complete post, please visit:
Aleteia: Fr. Michael Rennier: How to fix broken communication: an unlikely starting place (11 JAN 26)
"There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal." - C. S. Lewis
As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of "When Jesus Comes to be Baptized":
Today the Church celebrates the Baptism of the Lord. The assigned readings are Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Acts 10:34-38;
and Matthew 3:13-17.The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 29 (Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10).
For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:
The Gospel reading is as follows:
Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
Reflections related to these readings:
Word on Fire: Side by Side with Sinners (Cycle A * Christmas Time * Baptism of the Lord)
"In the world of evangelization, the concept of curiosity is almost never discussed. If anything, evangelizers are encouraged to quickly satisfy any curiosity by supplying all sorts of answers to questions that arise about the faith. Apologetical tracts, books, catechisms, and videos abound. Curiosity, it would seem, is something to be quashed or at least overcome quickly. Allowing a person to wonder why for any length of time seems almost dangerous, especially in a 'search-engine' culture. Quick answers, please!
"How different this is from the more mysterious and 'parabolic' way Jesus handled questions.. . ."
In a recent commentary spread over two posts, Msgr. Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the place of curiosity in the evangelization process.
To access Msgr. Pope's complete posts, please visit:
Community in Mission: On the Role of Curiosity in Evangelization (Part 1) (7 JAN 26)
Community in Mission: On the Role of Curiosity in Evangelization (Part 2) (8 JAN 26)
"In His holiness, the Lord allows Himself to be baptized like a sinner, to reveal God's infinite mercy. He comes to save rather than condemn. He takes upon Himself all that is ours, including sin, and gives us what is His: the grace of new and eternal life." - Pope Leo XIV
As this blessed week draws to a close and as we near the end of the Christmas season, I offer this version of the Royal Choral Society presenting “In the Bleak Midwinter”:
Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of houseplants. (Today, 10 January, is being observed as Houseplant Appreciation Day.)
". . . Like our physical sight, we may discover that our spiritual sight is far weaker than we had supposed. And weakened sight needs correction. . . ."
In a recent commentary, Brother Simeon Jaeger, O.P., reflected, using the lenses of God and neighbor, on how we can correct our piritual sight.
To access Br. Anthony's complete post, please visit:
Dominicana: Where the Eyes Go, the Soul Follows (8 JAN 26)
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