January 11, 2026, The Baptism of the Lord: Because the word epiphany means “manifestation or openly appearing,” both feasts—the visit of the Magi and the baptism of Jesus—qualify as epiphanies. Both manifest Jesus’ status as the Christ, King of the Jews, and God’s Son.
Gina Hens-Piazza
Gina Hens-Piazza is the Joseph S. Alemany Professor of Biblical Studies at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, Berkeley, CA.
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An Epiphany for all
January 4, 2026, The Epiphany of the Lord: Each year, our church celebrates this feast as a declaration that with Jesus’ birth we once again acknowledge the viable manifestation of this divine in-breaking event.
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Two kinds of fear: One helps with the other
December 28, 2025, the Feast of the Holy Family (A): The readings on this Feast of the Holy Family encourage and challenge us in our own relationships.
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Summoned to be Witnesses
December 25, 2025, The Solemnity of Christmas: On this celebration of Christmas, Luke’s Gospel features accounts of two proclamations, one preceding and one following the briefly described birth of Jesus.
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Daring to trust in God
December 21, 2025, The Fourth Sunday of Advent: Trust in Jesus, Emmanuel, whose birth we celebrate this week.
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Faith and the role of doubt
December 14, 2025, The Third Sunday of Advent: Faith, even as passionate conviction, is not at odds with doubt or questions. Wrestling those concerns ultimately deepens faith.
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The fruit of repentance: genuinely good deeds
December 7, 2025, The Second Sunday of Advent: This Sunday’s Gospel reading offers us the perfect lesson for this second week of Advent. John the Baptist is preaching along the Jordan River, and people from all over Judea are coming to hear him. And what does he preach? His message concerns preparation for the one coming after him, namely Jesus.
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Advent waiting: A time for a spiritual reboot
November 30, 2025, The First Sunday of Advent: Paul’s letter to the Romans and Jesus’ teaching in the Gospel invite us to participate in an undefined period of waiting . . . and that may be one among many of the challenges that we face this season.
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Lord, it is good to give thanks to you
March 2, 2025, the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Jesus is speaking metaphorically about a truly disabling lack of vision, a spiritual ignorance that can cause one to stumble. Such a lack of vision occasions serious risks: One might follow the wrong teacher or follow the wrong path in life.
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Love one another
February 23, 2025, the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: The Bible talks a great deal about love, about God’s love for us and about the invitation to love in return.