Light of the East

This is a week of Encounter in Many Eastern Catholic churches. We encounter another pre-Lenten Sunday. Our Lord encounters Simeon. And we, encounter liturgically our deceased family members.

This Sunday is the first of the official four preparatory Sundays leading up to Lent in the Byzantine Catholic calendar. It is the story of the Publican and the Pharisee.

Runners in a baton race must run together until the baton is successfully passed to the next runner. Many Eastern Catholic Churches at this time are in a, Liturgical baton race.

As though being born and laid in a manger in Bethlehem was not humbling enough, Our Lord chose to lower himself in the lowest spot in the Earth’s surface, the river Jordan. There he would be baptized for our sake and God as Trinity would be revealed.

The great act of love and humiliation that Our Lord took on by being born in a cave in Bethlehem will continue with his submission to circumcision on the eighth day.

The great act of love and humiliation that Our Lord took on by being born in a cave in Bethlehem will continue with his submission to circumcision on the eighth day.

(Music) “It came upon a midnight clear”… Hello Elves, hello Father Tom! Welcome Elves to Light of the East. Thank you, Father Tom, we’re so happy to be here. We’ll be hearing more from our Elves, in fact they have a special gift for us.

The high Holydays are of course times when family, friends and even affianced come together. Just as with our own own families, the Family of Jesus Christ has its own varied personalities and history.

Do NOT 'celebrate the Holidays.' Rather, contemplate and be transformed by the Great Mystery of the Incarnation. Don't just buy gifts. Become a gift now and in every moment after December 25th.

St. Pope John Paul II described monasticism as the "reference point for all the baptized." During this season, we return to our baptism through monasticism. Our special guest will explain.