Month: January 2009

AFTER DAMASCUS (Mark 16:15-18):  25 January 2009 (Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul)

Today’s Readings

Dear St. Paul,

Today we remember your conversion–that dramatic, life-changing event in your life on the road to Damascus.  The account says that you were on your way to arrest Christians when you found yourself suddenly surrounded by a great light.  Falling to the ground, you heard the voice of the Lord–and the rest was history.  From a zealous Pharisee out to arrest every possible Christian, you turned into an even more zealous missionary determined to make a Christian of every possible person.

WHEN YOU SHOW YOUR FACE (Mark 1:7-11):  11 January 2009 (Baptism of Our Lord)

Today’s Readings

Dearest Lord,

You know well that I lost a friend this week.  After a long battle with his illness, Father Joey died.  In his last days, all he wanted was to leave the hospital, go home, and die among his family and community.  Thank you for granting him his last wish.  That evening on the very same day he returned to his community, he took one last breath and was gone.  Mercifully, no pain.  Only peace.

THIS BUSINESS OF GIFT-GIVING (Matthew 2:1-12):  04 January 2009 (Epiphany of Our Lord)

Today’s Readings

Dearest Lord,

Today, the Feast of Your Epiphany, we remember the visit of the magi–those astrologers (how many they were, we don’t know) who read the stars and were among the first to lay their eyes on you.  They were not exactly kings, but they were certainly wise men since they detected Herod’s schemes and followed the angel’s message to go home some other way.  They are, of course, today credited for the the tradition of gift-giving that has in many ways defined the season of Christmas.  And so today, perhaps it’s good to think about this business of gift-giving.