Bulletin Week January 8, 2017

click here for full bulletin

epiphany-of-the-lordFROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

Sunday the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. The word epiphany means “manifestation.” What we celebrate is that Sacred Mystery of the Son of God taking on our humanity and manifesting Himself to our world. Originally, the Christian Church recalled three events on this day – the visit of the Magi, Jesus’ Baptism at the Jordan River and His first miracle at the Wedding at Cana. While the Roman (Western) Church has separated these remembrances, the Eastern Churches still maintain the ancient origins of today’s festival. One thing to do, though, is to look over the next several Sundays at how the Gospel is a “manifestation” of Jesus as L. Even though the Feast of the Baptism of the L will be celebrated Monday (tomorrow), next Sunday the passage from the Gospel of Saint John will have us present at Jesus’ Baptism by John the Baptist and John’s great witness statement: “Behold, the Lamb of God…!” After that Jesus will manifest Himself as He calls His first disciples along the Sea of Galilee and then He will show Himself as the Great Teacher in the Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel of Saint Matthew. Lent will not begin until March 1 this year, so we have a good length of time – eight Sundays – to hear proclaimed in our liturgical assemblies the marvels of Emmanuel, “God-with-us!” With our Orthodox brothers and sisters we can pray today: On this day You have appeared to the whole world; and Your Light, O L, is signed on us who sing and chant your praises. You have come now and appeared unto us, O Light unapproachable. Love, Father Tom