Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The twelfth day of Christmas, January 6, is traditionally the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, commemorating the visit of the three kings to the child Jesus. In the United States, this feast is inexplicably transferred to the Sunday between January 2 and 8 (if ever I were to start a letter-writing campaign, it would be to the USCCB asking that the Epiphany be celebrated on January 6, and the Ascension celebrated on Thursday). The symbolism of the twelve days of Christmas is far more important than five golden rings. In those numbered…read more

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Throughout the Advent season, our hope, joy, and expectation has been increasing as we prepare that place in our hearts and homes for the Lord Jesus to occupy. He who was foretold by the prophets is truly drawing close to us, just as He drew close to the people who walked in darkness some 2000 years ago in Bethlehem. We began the season praying that the Lord would grant us the resolve to run forth to meet Christ with righteous deeds at His coming. To run to greet someone indicates a level of excitement and joy that…read more

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As we celebrate the Nativity of our Lord, we look to the manger scene in Bethlehem. At the heart of every creche, amongst all the animals, shepherds, wise men, and other figures, we find the Holy Family. St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary adore the Child Jesus. For all the other action, especially in those larger Nativity displays, the eye is drawn to the real purpose of the scene. The mystery of God taking on our human flesh, the Incarnation, is a historical reality that is entrusted to the care of a human…read more

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Each year, the Third Sunday of Advent is an occasion to rejoice as the great feast of the Nativity draws near. These weeks of preparation are not meant to be a drudgery and burden, but a joy-filled movement toward the Lord who draws close to us. Last Sunday, we encountered St. John the Baptist, who called us to repentance. Today, we encounter him again as he teaches the people what repentance looks like: “share with the person who has none...stop collecting more than what is prescribed...do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied…read more

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, “Prepare the way of the Lord!” With these words, St. John the Baptist echoes the great prophet Isaiah. Jesus, who came not to abolish the law and the prophets but to fulfill them (cf. Mt. 5:17), is coming soon. In a similar way, John fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah, that one day there would come a voice crying out in the wilderness. How does John cry out his message of preparation? His is a call to repentance and baptism, the symbolic washing being an outward indication of the interior desire for a changed and…read more