Reflection Starter from Aldous Huxley

"There's only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving and that's your own self." - Aldous Huxley

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: "Carol Of The Bells"

As we continue our celebration of the Baptism of the Lord (and as we conclude the Christmas season), I offer this version of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra presenting "Carol Of The Bells":

The Baptism of the Lord

Today the Church celebrates the Baptism of the Lord. The assigned readings are Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Acts 10:34-38; and Mark 1:7-11. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 29 (Psalm 29:1-4, 3, 9-10).

The Gospel reading is as follows:

This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

Reflections on these readings:

Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio: The Baptism of the Lord and the Sacrament of Confirmation

The Institute for Christian Formation: Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Catholic Daily Reflections: The Baptism of the Lord (8 JAN 18)

ZENIT: Pope's Angelus of Sunday 7 January 2018: Full Text

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of the liturgical and for the many ways in which You touch hearts during its various observances.

Stephanie Mann on the Church's Liturgical Calendar

"Throughout the ages, we've developed various systems for telling us how much time has passed and what time is coming. The sun and the moon and the stars have guided us; the seasons of planting and harvesting have provided guidance. Calendars, diaries, journals and other forms of record-keeping have helped us remember and prepare. We have seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, quarters, and years to keep us on track.

"The Catholic Church has been deeply involved in all these methods of telling time, not to control it, but to celebrate the greatest event in human history: the Life of Jesus: His Incarnation, Birth, Life, Passion and Resurrection. Especially the Resurrection.

"Pope Gregory XIII issued a papal bull in 1582 reforming the old Julian calendar: the date of Easter, which is based on the spring Equinox, was drifting off schedule. The Church was trying to keep the date of Easter as close as possible to when the early Church celebrated it. Following up on one of the concerns of the Council of Trent, scholars reviewed astronomical observations and made mathematical calculations to adjust the calendar. . . .

"Most Catholic monarchs accepted the reforms, but many Protestant countries, like England, did not. The Christian world was divided on its celebration of Easter and would not share the Gregorian calendar until the mid-eighteenth century. Anyone studying the history of England, for example, between 1582 and 1752 has to be aware of the Old and New Styles of dating. England remained on the Julian calendar while across the English Channel much of Europe was using the Gregorian.

"As this calendar was acknowledged as an accurate measure of time, other countries, even Orthodox Christian and Muslim, accepted it for the convenience of diplomacy and trade. But the Church’s purpose for adjusting the calendar had not been diplomatic or commercial: it had been so that the Solemnity of Solemnities, the Holiest Day of the Church Year would be celebrated on the right Sunday"

In a recent commentary, writer Stephanie Mann reflected on the Church's liturgical calendar, including her feasts,octaves and other observances and their role in our lives.

To access the complete National Catholic Register post, please visit:

National Catholic Register: Blogs: Stephanie Mann: Octaves, Novenas and Seasons: The Catholic Way of Telling Time (7 JAN 18)

Reflection Starter from Vincent van Gogh

"Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together." - Vincent van Gogh

"We Three Kings of Orient Are"

As we continue our celebration of the Epiphany, I offer this version of "We Three Kings of Orient Are":

The Epiphany of the Lord

Today the Church celebrates the Epiphany of the Lord. The assigned readings are Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; and Matthew 2:1-12. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 72 (Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 72 "Lord, every nation on earth will adore You forever"

The Gospel reading is as follows:

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage."

When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage."

After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflections: Epiphany of the Lord (January 7, 2018)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Epiphany of the Lord (January 7, 2018)

Community in Mission: Walking with the Wise - A Homily for Epiphany (6 JAN 18)

Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio: Epiphany Revealed - Three Magi Kings & Their strange gifts

Aleteia: Deacon Greg Kandra: Being aware of wonder: Homily for Epiphany (5 JAN 18)

The Sacred Page: The Readings for Epiphany (4 JAN 18)

ZENIT: Pope Francis: Angelus: On the Feast of the Epiphany (6 JAN 18)

St. Paul Center: One Who is Coming: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord

Word on Fire: Spiritual and Religious (Cycle B * Christmas * Week Epiphany)

Spirituality of the Readings: Into the Hands of Love (The Epiphany of the Lord)

In Exile: King Herod and the Wise Men - A Christmas Challenge (The Epiphany of the Lord
)

Let the Scriptures Speak: Have We Met the Magi? (The Epiphany of the Lord)

The Word Embodied: First the Savor, Then the Sending (The Epiphany of the Lord
)

Historical Cultural Context: Bestowing Honor (The Epiphany of the Lord)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Leo the Great (The Epiphany of the Lord
)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the many ways in which we encounter You as we live our lives.

Msgr. Pope on The Effect of Jesus on Each Person He Touches

"The video below is a 2008 Coca-Cola commercial that takes up the theme of the star of Christmas.
Let us review the impact that the star of Christmas had on the wise men, the Magi.

1. The star moved them to seek meaning outside themselves; it made them look out and up.
2. The star called them beyond what was familiar in their own country and world and expanded their horizons toward Christ and His Kingdom.
3. The star summoned them to seek Christ, and when they found Him, to worship Him.
4. The star drew them to be generous to a poor family in Bethlehem; they made sacrifices as they lay costly gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh before the Lord.
5. The star roused them to conversion; they 'returned to their country by another route,' following the straight and narrow path rather than the wide and destructive one."

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the effects an encounter with Christ has on each person touched by His presence.

To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:

Community in Mission: No One Goes Away from Jesus Unchanged (5 JAN 18)

Reflection Starter from Pope Francis

"In the simplicity of the nativity scene we encounter and contemplate the tenderness of God which reveals itself in the Baby Jesus." - Pope Francis

Johnny Mathis: "Winter Wonderland"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of Johnny Mathis presenting "Winter Wonderland":