The first of Matthew rsquo s five great discourses begins with an elegant and poetic set of blessings on those specially favored by God The first four speak of passive sufferers the poor the mourners the gentle but strong meek and those starving and thirsting for justice Keep in mind that Chr

This year the period between the end of the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany season and the beginning of Lent is brief There are just four Sundays as we begin ordinary time These initial readings continue the manifestation of Jesus with John the Baptist rsquo s witness of Jesus The readings are also uni

Baptism is both adoption into the very life of God and a mission to proclaim justice in the land, to be a light for the nations, open the eyes of the blind and free prisoners from their dungeons.

The Epiphany or Manifestation of Jesus is the Christmas feast among Eastern Christians both Orthodox and Catholic The same readings for all cycles emphasize a number of themes The first reading from the final post-exilic section of Isaiah envisions the nations streaming to a restored Jerusalem

The Holy Family could well be called the Refugee Family.

As the celebration of the Incarnation nears the readings echo with wonder and joy Amid virtual despair about the future of the kingdom Yahweh tells Ahaz to ask for a sign which the king will not do lest he tempt God But Isaiah intervenes with an oracle of salvation Life is affirmed at the doo