Most people in the US think of Feb. 2 as Groundhog Day and it is. But long before that it has been Candlemas Day. This is the day that the Church blesses candles for the coming year. It used to be really big before electricity. Candles were blessed both for the Church and for the home. Now we emphasize the Presentation of the Lord. In case you may be wondering, this is also the Purification of Mary. According to Jewish law at the time of Christ, a woman had to be purified after having a baby. That’s why the first line of today’s Gospel talks about “their purification according to the law of Moses.”
Pope Francis has proclaimed today “The Sunday of the Holy Word of God”. This is a good time to start or continue to read the Bible. As we get into the Liturgical Year, we will be reading from Matthew’s Gospel. So, it might be good to start there. Read a little, pray a little and let it all sink in.
How are the New Year’s Resolutions going? I hope the one to pray a little more is one of the ones you are keeping. We really need to ask the Prince of Peace for peace in our time. Martin Luther King Day is celebrated on Monday, January 20 this year. Celebrate this great man by doing something nice in his honor. This can help bring about the promised land he saw from the mountain top the night before he died!
How are the New Year’s Resolutions going? I hope the one to pray a little more is one of the ones you are keeping. We really need to ask the Prince of Peace for peace in our time. Today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. This Feast marks the end of the Liturgical Christmas season, even though some folks keep Christmas in mind until February 2, The Presentation of the Lord.
Today we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. On Christmas night Jesus was revealed to Mary and Joseph and then the shepherds. These were all Jewish. Today Jesus reveals himself to the Gentiles in the persons of the magi. Tradition says they were three wisemen from the east who studied the stars and followed one to Bethlehem and the baby, Jesus.