Holy Family Sunday - Year B

Visit www.usccb.org/nab for readings.

READING I
Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3

Despite their advanced age, Sarah and Abraham learn from God that they will have many descendants. Even though they didn’t know how this could be, they trusted God. God kept his promise and Sarah bore a son, Isaac.

READING II
Hebrew 11:8, 11-12, 17-19

The author of this letter reminds the people of Sarah’s and Abraham’s great faith. As promised descendants of these two people, we are instructed to have the same faith even when we don’t know how things will turn out.

GOSPEL
Luke 2:22-40

Mary and Joseph, obedient Jewish parents, presented Jesus at the Temple, naming him as the angel had instructed. While they were at the Temple, an elderly man named Simeon foretold the parents many things about the life Jesus would have. Simeon also blessed Mary for he knew she would have a heartbreaking life as the mother of the Messiah.

We are called to great faith in these readings. While our faith needs to be great, we find and exercise it in the ordinariness of our lives. In what ordinary ways do you live out your faith?

Families are very important and need tender loving care. We often notice that the kinder we are to someone, the nicer they are to us. In what ways has your family shown love to one another and what are the benefits of those actions?

This Week’s Feast

January 1 – Mary, Mother of God
The Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Throughout the Church year we celebrate many events relating to Mary, but today we celebrate her motherhood. Today God’s people traditionally join to pray for world peace.

December 28 – Holy Innocents

Today we remember the Holy Innocents. When Herod heard from the Magi that a new king was born in Bethlehem, he sent soldiers to kill all infant boys two years of age and younger in that area.

December 29 – St. Thomas Becket
St. Thomas Becket was a young chancellor of England and loved the good life. The new King, Henry II, insisted Thomas be made a bishop in the mid 1100's. Thomas then radically changed his lifestyle, giving away all his riches. After conflict with the king, he was martyred in Canterbury Cathedral.

December 30 – Blessed John Alcober
Blessed John Alcober served 16 years as Dominican Missionary in China. He was martyred in 1748. On this day in the year 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized him.

December 31 – St. Sylvester I
Today we honor St. Sylvester I, who was pope during the early fourth century. He worked hard to keep the Church independent of the government. Pope Sylvester was the first person honored as “saint” who was not a martyr.

January 1 – St. Joseph Mary Tomasi
Born during the 17th century into a wealthy Sicilian family, St. Joseph Mary Tomasi gave up his wealth and heritage to live a humble and holy life. Known for his knowledge, humility, charity and reforming work, he committed himself to the study of Scripture and the Church’s foundation. He practiced charity toward the poor and taught religion to the children.

January 2 – Saints Basil and Gregory
Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen were two important scholars and teachers of the early Church. Basil laid the foundation for today’s religious communities. Gregory was Basil’s boyhood friend. Gregory was appointed a bishop because he was a wonderful theologian, but he retired after only a few weeks because he enjoyed the contemplative life far more. Both bishops have been named Doctors of the Church.

January 3 – St. Genevieve
St. Genevieve was a strong and courageous leader of fifth century France who saved her city from war and starvation. In the cold of winter, during an invasion of Paris by the Franks, she led a convoy to run the blockade of the city, bringing back food for the starving citizens.

Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling, an English novelist and poet, was born in India on this day in 1865. He is most famous for his children's stories, such as Jungle Book and Just So Stories. He also wrote many books and poems for adults.

Feast of the Epiphany - Year B

Visit www.usccb.org/nab for readings.

READING I
Isaiah 60:1-6

Returning form exile, the Israelites find hope in the prophet’s joyful words. A great light, a shining radiance will lead not only the Israelites, but in time, people from around the world. God has made good his promise of love and deliverance.

READING II
Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6

Paul refers to his own experience of God’s revelation and plan for salvation. Nothing in Paul’s background could have prepared him for the miraculous enlightenment he received from God. It is with wonder that Paul came to realize that all people, Gentile and Jew, are members of Christ’s body.

GOSPEL
Matthew 2:1-12

A theme of great light continues in this gospel as the Gentile magi follow the star to find Jesus. The magi went in search of this new king so that they might worship him. Herod thought he could trick the magi into telling him where the child could be found, but an angel warned the wisemen not to return home in the direction of Herod.

These readings use the image of light to help us see Jesus in the world and understand God’s plan for salvation. We are part of that plan; not only are we saved, but we can do some saving as well. How are you a light for someone who might not already know Jesus?

There are lots of bright lights in our world, and they lead us to many things. Sometimes these lights lead us to something away from God. Is there a light you need to stop following so that you can better follow the light of Christ?

January 4 – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
Elizabeth Ann Seton was the mother of five young children when her husband died. She joined the Catholic Church and soon after began the first Catholic schools in the United States. She founded the Sisters of Charity and was well known for her work among the poor. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton became the first American-born saint in 1975.

January 5 – St. John Neumann
Born in Bohemia, now the Czech Republic, John Nepomucene Neumann traveled to America in hopes of becoming a priest. He was ordained a Redemptorist priest in 1836 and served as pastor of a church in a small New York town. St. John Neumann started many churches and Catholic schools. As the bishop of Philadelphia he organized a diocesan Catholic school system. He spoke 12 languages. In 1977 he became the first American man to be canonized.

January 6 –St. Raphaela Maria Porras
Raphaela and her sister Dolores became part of the community, Handmaids of the Sacred Heart in 1877. This organization was devoted to teaching children and helping at retreats. Raphaela served for a time as mother general of the congregation. Pope Paul VI canonized her in 1977.

January 7 - St. Raymond of Penafort
St. Raymond of Penafort was a Dominican priest who lived in Spain. He was a teacher and writer remembered for collecting and publishing Church documents and for establishing schools for the teaching of Arabic and Hebrew. St. Raymond, the patron saint of lawyers, was about 100 years old when he died in 1275.

January 8 - St. Apollinaris
Today we remember St. Apollinaris, a bishop who lived in the second century. He was known for his miracles and his teachings in defense of Christianity.

January 9 - St. Philip of Moscow
St. Philip of Moscow, a bishop and agricultural engineer designed new irrigation systems. Philip was bishop during the reign of Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) who killed anyone he suspected of not supporting his politics. Philip spoke against the killing, though he knew he would die for doing so.

January 10 - St. Peter Orseolo
St. Peter Orseolo was a very successful Italian statesman, whose job was to restore order to Venice. In 978, Peter left this influential job to become a Benedictine monk. He was a very humble monk and was devoted to prayer, charity and self-denial.

George Washington Carver
George Washington Carver was born in 1864 to parents who were in slavery. He became one of America’s most famous scientists, discovering hundreds of uses for peanuts and soybeans and other farm products of the southern United States. He taught at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord - Year B

Visit www.usccb.org/nab for readings.

READING I
Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7

The words from Isaiah were intended to comfort the Israelites in exile. The words announce a new beginning to God’s saving act and point to a savior who will come from God. This savior will bring justice and shine a light for people in darkness.

READING II
Acts 10:34-38
In an excerpt from a speech given by Peter, listeners are reminded of Jesus’ healing powers. People from all over the world are entitled to this peace and salvation through faith in Jesus and baptism. This reading reminds us that Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit and began his public ministry after his own baptism by John in Galilee.

GOSPEL
Mark 1:7-11

John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. Some people at the time believed that John was more powerful than Jesus, but John tried to tell them otherwise. The truth of his words resounded when the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus making it clear that Jesus shared a special relationship with God.

When Jesus was baptized, the heavens opened and a voice announced that Jesus was God’s son and with him, God was pleased. Think of your own baptism and the important place you hold as a member of God’s family. What would God be pointing to in your life if you heard the words, “this is my son (or daughter) and with him/her I am well pleased”?

At the time of our baptism, our parents and Godparents promised to teach us about our faith and help us practice it by keeping God’s commandments and loving God and our neighbors. Show your parents how you have helped them keep that promise. Give them examples of ways that you show your love for God by how you treat other people.

January 11 – St. Leonie Frances de Sales Aviat
Leonie Aviat founded the Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales as one way of helping young women working in factories. St. Leonie Frances de Sales guided the community as it expanded from France to Europe, South America, and Africa until her death in 1914 in Italy.

January 12 - St. Benedict Biscop
We remember St. Benedict Biscop, a priest of the early Church, who lived in northern England. He built wonderful libraries and brought a teacher from Rome to teach his monks to sing in the Roman style.

January 13 – St. Hilary of Poitiers
Today we honor St. Hilary, a bishop of Poiters, France, during the fourth century. Hilary was largely responsible for the acceptance of the Nicene Creed in Western Europe. He had been married and had children prior to his conversion to Christianity. St. Hilary is known for his writings on the Trinity and was named a Doctor of the Church in 1851.

January 14 - St. Felix of Nola
St. Felix was the son of a wealthy Roman soldier. He was known for his humility and poverty of spirit, having donated his inheritance to the poor. He declined the honor of becoming Bishop of Nola (near Naples, Italy), preferring instead to work among the poor. After his death in 260, many miracles are said to have taken place at his tomb.

January 15 - St. Arnold Janssen
In 1861, Arnold was ordained a priest and became a high school teacher of mathematics and natural sciences. In 1875 in Holland, Fr. Janssen founded the Society of the Divine Word to provide priests and lay brothers for the missions. He also founded the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters and the contemplative order, Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration. Fr. Janssen insisted that his seminarians learn about the cultures of the populations they would be serving.

January 16 - St. Berard and Companions
We remember St. Berard and his companions who were sent to Morocco by St. Francis to preach the gospel to the Muslims. At first the people there tolerated them because they thought they were sick, but when the brothers would not go away, they were put to death. They were the first Franciscan martyrs.

January 17 - St. Henry de Osso y Cervello
Father Henry was born in Spain in 1840. His father wished for him to join the family clothing business. However, Henry felt a call to religious life and went to live at the Monastery of Our Lady of Montserrat. He was ordained a priest and evangelized others through his preaching, spirituality, and writings. He founded the Teresian Apostolic Movement to teach children and youth about St. Teresa of Jesus.

First Public Radio Broadcast
The world's first radio broadcast to the public happened on this day in 1910 from New York City, ushering in the era of radio communication.