Dear Brothers and Sisters,
With the cold, ice and snow; with the long nights and short gray days; with the passing of the holidays and all their merriment; this often feels like the darkest time of the year. The fact that each day we get a little more light doesn’t seem to cut it. The stresses in our society and in the world seem to increase, too. But the feasts of Epiphany (Three
Kings/Revelation to the Gentiles) and Theophany (Baptism of Jesus/Revelation to the Jews) belie the gloom. They move us from a focus on darkness, to awareness of the coming of the LIGHT into the world—Jesus, the Light of the World.
Epiphany and Theophany are both about the manifestation of Christ: Epiphany is, in part, Christ’s manifestation as God entering into humanity. Theophany, where the voice of God declares that Jesus is the Son of God, is the manifestation of Christ as divine and part of the Holy Trinity. It is particularly important to remember that this divine manifestation is not merely a historic event: God is constantly manifesting in our world. Jesus is constantly with us in love. The Spirit is constantly with us, supporting and revealing wisdom. Creator God is constantly creating new life.
Even while we get up in the early morning dark; put on our heavy coats and boots to venture out into the storms; read distressing news headlines; no darkness can overcome the Light. EVER. Take some time to start noticing the LIGHT, which is often quiet and gentle, instead of noticing the loud, attention-getting darkness.
Praying daily with you, for our nation, our new diocese, our parishes, and the world,
Mo. Laura
——————————————————————————————————————————
COMING UP!
- January 11: Groceries Plus in-gathering/blessing
- January 12: Winter Bible Study Class begins, 7:00 via zoom
- January 14: New Yoga class begins, 6:00
- February 1: Annual Meeting
- February 6: Soup Potluck, 5:30
- February 8: Groceries Plus in-gathering/blessing
- February 18: Ash Wednesday, times TBD
- Wednesdays, noonday prayer via zoom at 12:00
- Wednesday evenings, yoga class at 6:00 (discount for St. M members)
- Saturdays, Iglesia Luz de Esperanza, 9:00-3:00