Epiphany edition:

Joseph awoke not feeling well, and expressing that feeling in action in the bathroom. So Michael went to an early Mass, and then returned to stay home with the little ones. David, Katie and I then headed out – Church still decorated of course, with the invitation to take poinsettas after Mass – we grabbed two. Christmas carols were the hymns, sung, as usual, by the excellent cantor and accompanied by the superb organist. I’ve nothing against Christmas carols, but given the skills of these two, what I hear week after week at this parish doesn’t even come close to what could be happening musically.

The first half of the homily was an historical and theological look at the magi, whom, he reminded us, were us, not "other," since we are Gentiles. He then flipped it around to us, asking us what we have brought to God – what have we given? He then gave a list of possibilities, a list centered on spiritual observances – more frequent daily Mass attendance, celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Adoration, etc.

The Epiphany Proclamation was…proclaimed after the homily. I love hearing this. I always feel so connected to medieval peasants, huddling in their cold churches, listening to the shape of the coming year, in their world without calendars, their world in which time was marked  by the moon, the seasons of planting, harvest and fallow rest, and the feasts of the Christian year.

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 fifth of April and the evening of the eighth of April.

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 twenty-first of February. The Ascension of the Lord will be commemorated on the seventeenth of May. Pentecost, the joyful conclusion of the season of Easter, will be celebrated on the twenty-seventh of May. And this year the First Sunday of Advent will be on the second of December.

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.