Jesus and John playing together in the Jordan River as children, can you imagine that? In today’s reading we find them both in different areas of the region baptizing. Both of them are clear on what the will of God is for their lives. They listen attentively to the Father. May we be like them, and listening to what pleases our Heavenly Father. As the Christmas season comes to an end let’s bring the joy of salvation to those who do not know Jesus.

A leper reaches out to Jesus from his desperation with humility and certainty. In the midst of our hardship when no one else sees or hears us, Jesus attends to our needs and cleanses our wounds.

Happy 12th day of Christmas! Today is the Epiphany of the Lord where we celebrate the three magi traveling from the east. They arrived in Bethlehem and placed themselves before Jesus bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. These are the gifts that we receive ourselves in baptism. In isaiah 60 we are told to arise because the glory of God shines above the darkness of the world. The Lord has come to rule over the nations.

Our Lord multiplies bread and fish for 5000 in today’s gospel. Reading on Mark’s account of the event we see our Lord’s tender care, his attention to detail, his concern for our physical and spiritual needs. His heart is moved by pity and he responds by teaching and performing miracles signs and wonders.

Proclaim the name of Jesus and everything else shall be granted on to you

En las lecturas de hoy escuchamos que la sabiduría lleva al amor. Dios nos llama a ser sus hijos. En ese llamado hay una promesa de salvación.

En ese llamado hay una herencia de hijos - somos reyes, profetas y sacerdotes. Esta herencia la recibimos en nuestro bautismo.

In today’s readings we find the word mission. In the first letter of John we get the first clue. We receive the knowledge that God has saved the world by sending his only son. The second step we become witnesses to the truth. And the third step we tell the world. In this song for today, Psalm 98 we sing “all the ends of the earth of seeing the saving power of God. “ And in the first chapter of John’s gospel, we see again the beautiful figure of Saint John the Baptist preparing the way for the Lord in answering with clarity who he is. I am the voice of one crying out in the desert. We know our mission by asking God for it.

Sheppards travel in haste to find Jesus. In their amazement they knock on doors trying to find the infant. They show joy and praise as they declare the visit from the angels to those whom they encounter. When they find Mary and Joseph and tell their stories even they are edified. Let us be like them and reflect on the things that happen in our lives, let us meditate on the mercies of God as Psalm 67 tells us. And may the blessing of Numbers 6 be ours in 2021 as God’s grace shines upon us.

The readings for today talk about family. The book of Sara gives us instructions for how to find respect and authority in our family relationships. Psalm 128 reminds to walk in the ways of the Lord, to have awe for his presence. In the gospel we read the beautiful story of the presentation, of Simeon’s faithfulness and full expression as the holy family follows the precepts of the law.

The readings for today, on the second day of Christmas, speak to us about endurance and persecution- the first reading is from the book of Acts chapter 6 and tells of the stoning of Steven, the second reading is Psalm 31 and we read “into your hands oh Lord I commend my spirit” and we find words to make God our refuge. Finally, the gospel is from Matthew 10 and Jesus tells us that we will be persecuted and hated but He will give us the words of life.