Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

In other years: Saint Basil the Great, Bishop, Doctor (330-379); Saint Gregory Nazianzen, Bishop, Doctor (330-389)

Readings of the Day

RB: Prologue 8-13

Mass: Is 60:1-6; Resp Ps 72; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12

All kings shall pay Him homage, all nations shall serve Him.

JESUS, KING OF GLORY,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Dear faithful readers, Happy Epiphany! That said, I was reminded in an email from a friend in the UK, with the subject "9th Day of Christmas", that other parts of the world will celebrate Epiphany on the traditional day of Thursday, this coming January 6. For others, then, today is the 9th of the 12 days of Christmas. "On the ninth day of Christmas my true love sent to me, nine ladies dancing ..." Here or there, no matter, as I replied to my friend, every day is a good day to join the magi, be overjoyed, then prostrate ourselves and do Him homage (Mt 2:10-11).

Let all the peoples, represented by the three magi, adore the Creator of the universe and may God be known not just in Judea but through all the earth because everywhere in Israel great is His name.

(Pope Saint Leo the Great, Discourse 3 for the Epiphany)

In other years, we would commemorate two great saints, both Bishops and Doctors of the Church, who were also close friends. They are Saint Basil the Great and Saint Gregory of Nazianzen. We can join them in their great pursuit revealed in a sermon by Saint Gregory, included in the Office of Readings for January 2.

Different men have different names, which they owe to their parents or to themselves, that is, to their own pursuits and achievements. But our great pursuit, the great name we wanted, was to be Christians, to be called Christians.

SAINT BASIL THE GREAT,

SAINT GREGORY NAZIANZEN,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Thank you to Moni in Freiburg, this photo of the magnificent creche in the Freiburger Muenster (Cathedral).

© Gertrude Feick 2022