Mother of God and Epiphany

My Companions: For what shall we pray as this year, this decade, draws to a close?  Let me suggest that we review the past year and praise our God for the glory of life we have experienced through out this past year (looking back at the words and pictures of this blog archive, my heart heats-up with gratitude and love for all we have experienced together in prayer).  Let's remember all our companions, especially those who transitioned before us this year to another dimension of holiness; rejoice in our participation in the Communion of Saints.  Let's resolve to do our small part to bring peace to our families, our neighborhoods, our world.  Let's seek forgiveness and offer forgiveness for our acts of commission or omission that, even in small ways, blocked the growth of God's kingdom in our midst.  Let's take some time to quietly rest in the presence of our God who is nearer to us than we are to ourselves!

Please pray with me for my friend and companion, Patrick O'Donnell, and his family.  The brain cancer returned and Pat is at the Hospice of St John in Lakewood.


Birthdays: Lindsay Ross (12/27), Alan Kobza (1/1/10), Sue Ross (1/1/10)

Keeping-in-touch: Marge and I made our annual trip to the movie theater and saw Invictus.  At the movie-house we serendipitously encountered soccer-parent friends, Pam and Brad, and enjoyed a delightful evening.  We've enjoyed catching-up with the active lives of many who sent us Christmas letters (I was a slacker this year and didn't write or send cards).  We welcomed the opportunity to meet Lacey Kobza's friend, Chris and visit with Grandma Kobza.

The Readings
The Readings for New Years: Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

The Readings for Sunday: The Epiphany of the Lord


Comments on the Readings, Epiphany: Fr. Foley: “The child’s weakness shows what God has in mind as the answer to evil. Tender, unfearing openness to love."
My Comments: Luke tells us that the shepherds found Jesus lying in a manger; Matthew tells us that the Magi followed a star and encountered a greedy, dominating King before adoring Jesus in Bethlehem.  Mary, the Theotokos: Mother of God, kept all these things in her heart.  Hopefully we will learn, more fully, to find God in all things as we enter a new year, a new decade.

May the peace of Christ be with each of you.

John