Let's Hear it for Ordinary
Dear Family,
Welcome to the wonderful world of Ordinary Time. It begins tomorrow as Christmas time ends today. That’s why the decorations are still up. If we seem to be the last ones to take the stuff down, it’s probably because no one has yet figured out how to make the Baptism of Jesus a commercial enterprise.

Between Advent/Christmas and Lent/Eastertime, the Church uses 18 or 19 weeks to call attention to those special saving events in the life of Christ that define who we are. The rest of the year we refer to as “ordinary.” In reality, I don’t think there is anything very ordinary about the stories of how Jesus interacted with his times and the people who surrounded him: family, disciples, friends and enemies, the curious, the deeply touched.

Let Him Shine
Dear Family,
“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” I’ve been humming that song to myself ever since I started writing this Twitch. Of course the light I hope I have is the light of Jesus, so when I sing about shining, it’s not an “it” I’m singing about; it’s a “Him.” Today’s scriptures are literally exploding with images of light.

First Isaiah:Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. …upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance.

With Thanks
Dear Family,
I barely get used to typing 2015 and it’s already 2016. The gift of time… time for what? Time for who? Can the time we have received so far cast any light on what we might expect in our futures?

I was having a wonderful conversation with a nonagenarian the other day who remarked that her life certainly was nothing like she would have planned. But at 90+ she surely seemed to have developed the living skills that brought her to 90 with a great deal of grace, living each moment as it comes.

Sometimes I think the events of the past and/or the preoccupations with the future, tend to keep me from paying attention to the most important moment, this moment, now.

Jesus, Who?

Dear Family,
I think maybe you have caught me in a bad moment. Perhaps, sad moment would be better. A charity to which I contribute, like many thers, sent me some Christmas cards I could use. I noticed that some spoke of the birth of the Savior at the heart of Christmas. Other cards said, Happy Holidays. These cards were from the same charity, ironically Christian in its origin and outlook. No Jesus, No nativity. I realize there are other holidays being celebrated around this time by others, but I have no doubt that those holidays would not be nearly as important in their own cultures and customs if they didn’t have to sort of compete with Christmas.