2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

 Is. 49:3, 5-6; 1 Cor. 1:1-3; Jn. 1:29-34

One evening, a young boy was walking home from school when he noticed smoke rising from a nearby house. Without thinking twice, he ran toward the fire and shouted for help. Neighbors rushed out, and together they managed to rescue an elderly woman trapped inside. When reporters later asked the boy why he ran toward danger instead of away from it, he simply said, “I saw someone who needed help.” The boy did not seek praise. He only pointed to the need.

This simple story reminds us of John the Baptist. He did not seek attention for himself. Instead, he pointed away from himself and toward Jesus, saying, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John’s life teaches us that true greatness lies not in being seen, but in helping others see Christ.

The Baptism of the Lord (A)

Is. 42:1-4, 6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Mt. 3:13-17

In one of Leo Tolstoy’s short stories, on a cold winter night a poor shoemaker named Martin Avdeitch sits alone in his basement room, reading the Gospel by the light of a small lamp. He is weary with grief and disappointment, yet as he reads the words of Jesus, a quiet hope stirs in his heart. That night he dreams that Christ will come to visit him the next day. Martin waits eagerly. Throughout the day, instead of a glorious vision, he encounters ordinary people: a tired street sweeper, a poor woman with a hungry child, a young boy who has stolen an apple. Martin feeds them, comforts them, forgives them. At the end of the day, he feels disappointed that Jesus never came—until he hears a voice saying, “I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me drink.” Martin realizes that Christ had indeed visited him, hidden in the lives of ordinary people. Tolstoy’s story gently reminds us that God’s glory often appears not in spectacle alone, but in humility, obedience, and loving service. This is precisely how the mystery of the Baptism of Jesus unfolds before us today.

The Epiphany of the Lord (A)

 Is. 60:1-6; Eph. 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt. 2:1-12

Today, we are celebrating Epiphany Sunday.  The purpose of the Feast of Epiphany, which had its beginning in the Eastern Church during the 3^rd century, was to commemorate how the glory of Christ was revealed to the Gentiles. The revelation of Jesus took place in many ways: in the visitation of the Magi; in the Baptism of Jesus; in the miracles of Jesus and through every word and action of Jesus.

The First Reading from the Book of Isaiah speaks of a prophecy that was made approximately seven hundred years prior to the birth of Jesus. In those days the Israelites were rejoicing because after years of captivity they were finally allowed to return to the holy city Jerusalem. The prophecy of Isaiah gave them hope that the promised Messiah would soon rise among the people and that His glory would be seen by all. The prophecy of Isaiah concluded with the words, "They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the