D-V's Desk

 Ash Wednesday is a little under four weeks away.  Our Lenten journey for 2023 starts on 22 February.  The word Lent comes from a German root that means "lengthening of days." It is true that, as spring approaches, we see more and more hours of daylight.  A welcome sigh after the darkness of winter. Lent calls us to prepare our hearts and mind for the great mystery of Easter.  The tomb should be been empty on that first Easter morning.  Death has given way to life.  Sorrow has turned to joy. Here are a few suggestions of you and I might get ready for the celebration of Easter: *Read the Gospel accounts of Jesus' last days.  If you are part of a household, consider reading the narratives aloud. *Watch one of the movie version of Jesus' life and ministry.  "The Gospel of John" is a good one.  There is also "Jesus Christ, Superstar" for the musical lovers. *Watch (and/or read) The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe ...

January 6th is an important feast for those us in liturgical churches.  Yes, January 6th is 12 days after the celebration of Jesus' birth.  The 6th is also the Feast of the Epiphany. Epiphany is a Greek word.  It means to uncover, to reveal, to make manifest.  The Epiphany is a revealing, a manifestation, of God in Jesus. The readings during this season make it clear Who Jesus is and why He has come.  Jesus is the full manifestation of God's love to the world. We see this as Jesus is Baptized and a voice resounds from Heaven: "This is my Son, the beloved, with Whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17) We see this as foreign astrologers follow a star and worship Jesus as the King for all people-- Jew and Gentile (Matthew 2:1-12) We see this (in year B of the lectionary) as Jesus turns water in wine at a wedding in Cana in Galilee (John 1-12) We see this as a prophet and a faithful servant, Simeon and Anna, respectively, rejoice in witnessing Jesus' dedication and pr...