Peace be with you, Beloved. Happy New Year! Christmas is still upon us as we continue to celebrate Christmastide in our homes, churches, and hearts. However, it will soon draw to an end as we transition into a new season: Epiphany. Epiphany begins on Jan. 6 and will continue until the time of Lent. The season primarily focuses on the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. In simpler terms, it is God making Gods-self known to the Gentiles (non-Israelites) and revealing to them that Salvation is also proffered to them. Typically, when Epiphany begins, the Church focuses on the…

Peace be with you, my friends. 2023 has closed its final chapter, and we prepare to enter into a new year. I always liked how Matthew, Luke, and John presents the Baptism of Jesus almost immediately after His Birth. The Birth of Christ marked the Coming of the Person of Christ. The coming of the Person of the Messiah. His Baptism marked the beginning of His Ministry in the world. In this way, we observe the birth of the Anointed One, and then immediately observe the newness of life He is bringing into the world through the Baptism of His…

Peace be with you, my friends. The mind is a powerful entity. The way we think ultimately shapes how we behave and interact within the world. It shapes how we interact with people. It shapes how we interact with things. It shapes how we interact with ourselves. It happens to us in subtle ways. For example, I think cats are better than dogs. As a result, without even recognizing it, I tend to give more attention to my cat than my dogs. It can also happen in significant ways, which have major effects on your life and those around you….

Peace be with you, my friends. In many evangelical Protestant circles, we hear a lot about Abraham being the “Father of the Faith.” We refer to Abraham in this way because he obeyed God and allowed God to move within him. In doing so, Abraham became the “spiritual father” to the Israelite people. He became the “spiritual father” to the Church. In a very real way, through Abraham, God birthed into being the people of God. Why, then, in those same circles, do we not hear enough about Mary being the “Mother of the Faith”? She, too, obeyed God. She,…

Peace be with you, my friends. Have you ever relied on anything or anyone? No matter how independent you think you are as a person, there is always someone, some system, or some thing in which you rely for your everyday life and activities. When you go grocery shopping, you rely on the workers to stock the shelves, clean the bathrooms, and help you check out. When you go to the hospital, you rely on the nurses and doctors for health. When you get therapy, you rely on the therapist for good counsel. When you watch a sports game, you…