Second Tuesday After Christmas

Today is the traditional date for the Feast of the Epiphany.
Many feel that this closes the Liturgical Christmas Season. But, the Liturgical Season actually lasts until the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord, which will happen next Sunday. This is when Jesus is baptized by John and Jesus begins his ministry on Earth.


Today is also the feast day for St. Andre Bessette.
A link has been added to the links list to the right in reference to this saints.



We live in an area of the world that celebrates Mardi Gras. The season of Mardi Gras has many connections with the Catholic Church. First of all, the season starts on Epiphany, or "King's Day," when the 3 kings brought the gifts of gold, frankincense and mur to the Christ Child. It is a time when the 3 liturgical seasons of Christmas (gold), ordinary time (green) and lent (purple) come together. The "baby" in the king cake represents the Baby Jesus. Also, it is a time of celebration before the season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Please refer to the link for more information about the Christian celebration of Mardi Gras.



Scripture: "And so, when Jesus had been born in Bethlehem of Judah, in the days of king Herod, behold, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying: “Where is he who was born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and we have come to adore him.” Now king Herod, hearing this, was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. And gathering together all the leaders of the priests, and the scribes of the people, he consulted with them as to where the Christ would be born. And they said to him: “In Bethlehem of Judea. For so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, the land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah. For from you shall go forth the ruler who shall guide my people Israel.’ ” Then Herod, quietly calling the Magi, diligently learned from them the time when the star appeared to them. And sending them into Bethlehem, he said: “Go and diligently ask questions about the boy. And when you have found him, report back to me, so that I, too, may come and adore him.” And when they had heard the king, they went away. And behold, the star that they had seen in the east went before them, even until, arriving, it stood still above the place where the child was. Then, seeing the star, they were gladdened by a very great joy. And entering the home, they found the boy with his mother Mary. And so, falling prostrate, they adored him. And opening their treasures, they offered him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having received a response in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back by another way to their own region. And after they had gone away, behold, an Angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: “Rise up, and take the boy and his mother, and flee into Egypt. And remain there until I tell you. For it will happen that Herod will seek the boy to destroy him.” And getting up, he took the boy and his mother by night, and withdrew into Egypt. And he remained there, until the death of Herod, in order to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Out of Egypt, I called my son.”
Matthew 2:1-15



Readings of the Day:
1 John 4:7-10
Psalm 72
Mark 6:34-44