His Righteousness

Dear friend, reflecting back on the past 2 weeks starting with Sunday, December 27th, the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, a celebration in honor of the Holy Family and also families everywhere.

Family means putting love for one another and love for God above all else for love is the impetus for what is most important between family members; respect, caring, sacrificing, support, protection all the values that strengthen and sustain the family as a whole. Families that hold these values reflect God’s love so powerfully that others are drawn to them with a strong desire to get to know and bond with them.

Do you and your family hold true to these values? During the Advent preparation for Christmas did you and your family pray to remain true to these values? How blessed you are if you did but it’s not too late if you didn’t. There are many wonderful resources for you to use perhaps check with your local church or Christian bookstore. Currently, I’m reading Search and Rescue by Patrick Madrid © 2012 an excellent resource for anyone and everyone interested in maintaining a sound Christian home environment and a way to reacquaint friends and family with the church family.

I pray you will look into a trusted resource that works for you and that you refer to and use it everyday of your life; a way to put your love for God in action – your family and friends are worth it.

Today, January 3rd, is the feast of The Epiphany of the Lord and the readings are from Isaiah 60: 1-6, Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 and the Gospel according to Matthew 2:1-12.

Today’s feast day celebrates the Three Wise men who were drawn to travel long distances from their home country to pay homage to Jesus.

If you’d like to read more about the feast of the Epiphany, I invite you to visit Loyola Press’s link – https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/epiphany-of-the-lord-sunday-connection/ for a more in-depth understanding.

Additional Bible readings are from January 1, 2021 The Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God; Numbers 6:22-27, Galatians 4:4-7 and The Gospel according to Luke 2:16-21

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help us to strengthen our family values and to hold true to those values especially when we are out and about in the world. Families here and around the world are in desperate need of knowing you and your great love for us. Help and guide us be a light of Truth in a dark world. Strengthen us to be true and to share our faith and never grow tired or weary. We humbly ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen

Dear friend, may you and your family be blessed with health and happiness in 2021 and may God continue to watch over and protect you always and may

“The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, 
and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:24-26

Peace, love and joy in Jesus,

Marie Antoinette