Happy new year of grace to you and to all whom your ministry serves! We complete the Octave of Christmas as we open a fresh page of a new calendar. This month contains two solemnities: Mary Mother of God, which is also the World Day of Peace (1); as well as Epiphany, which is Orthodox Christmas as well as the traditional day for the Blessing of Homes (7).

The young boy sleeps in the shrine, curled up in the most sacred spot in Israel, though he can scarcely appreciate it. Dedicated to God in his mother’s womb, Samuel was delivered into the service of religion without ever being asked what he wanted.

At the age of 21, Ray became the first African American elected to represent my city on my county’s commission. He ran against a politically experienced and divisive candidate, and no one thought Ray would win. But Ray did win—by three votes.

In the spirit of the promise of the new year, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

Healing begins with our taking our pain out of its diabolic isolation and seeing that whatever we suffer, we suffer it in communion with all of humanity.

Browse our library for additional Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B material.

View the Take Five weekly for January 14, 2024.