Epiphany (C), Jan. 6, 2013

Fourth Sunday of Advent (C), Dec. 23, 2012

Christmas (C), Dec. 25, 2012

The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday or Rejoice Sunday On the Advent wreath it is marked by the pink candle Our first two readings are filled with thoughts of joy Zephaniah commands ldquo Shout for joy O daughter Zion The Lord your God is in your midst rdq

There is an ancient story that depicts a man entering the gates of heaven Once inside he discovers nothing but a place to sit facing a huge wall When he asks his escort St Peter for an explanation Peter says ldquo You have but entered the antechamber of paradise Paradise itself is on the ot

The Book of Baruch is a beautifully poetic biblical text that takes us back to the period of the Exile a time of darkness for Israel They are a broken people far from their homeland which was ravaged by the Babylonians Just before our reading desolate Jerusalem speaks as a mother to her lost c