Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6 Psalm 72:-12,7-8, 10-13 Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6 Matthew 2:1-12 Chants Scott Hahn with David Scott An “epiphany” is an appearance. In today’s readings, with their rising stars, splendorous lights and mysteries revealed, the face of the child born on Christmas day appears. Herod, in today’s Gospel, asks the chief priests and scribes where the Messiah is to be born.…

Solemnity of Mary Mother of God

Readings Numbers 6:22-27 Psalm 67:2-3,5-6,8 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:16-21 Chants The Mother of God of Passion, Andreas Ritzos, 1490 Children of God From before all ages, God had destined her for this decisive role in salvation history. She was to be the woman who in the fullness of time would bear God's only Son, as Paul tells us in today's…

Feast of the Holy Family (Year C)

Readings  Sirach 3:2-6,12-14  Psalm 128:1-5  Colossians 3:12-21  Luke 2:41-52  Chants The Holy Family, Francisco de Zurbarán, 1659 Our True Home Why did Jesus choose to become a baby born of a mother and father and to spend all but His last years living in an ordinary human family? In part, to reveal God’s plan to make all people live as…

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord

Readings Isaiah 52:7–10 Psalms 98:1–6  Hebrews 1:1–6 John 1:1–5, 9–14 Chants Cowper Madonna, Raphael 1505 New Song The Church’s liturgy rings in Christmas with a joyful noise. We hear today of uplifted voices, trumpets and horns, and melodies of praise. In the First Reading, Isaiah fortells Israel’s liberation from captivity and exile in Babylon. He envisions a triumphant homecoming to…