Through His Death, Resurrection, and Ascension, Christ, Who is the love of God incarnate, has destroyed the power of sin and death and has raised humanity to the right hand of God.

The Essence of sin is the failure to love. In their rebellion, Adam and Eve refused the divine love offered to them by God, preferring instead life on their own. Cut off from loving communion with God, mankind has become enslaved to its own self-centeredness, the inevitable consequence of which is death. God, however, was not willing that the creature which bore His image should simply return back to the nothingness from which he was created.

“For Thou dost not wish, O Master, that the work of Thy hands should perish, neither doest Thou take pleasure in the destruction of men; but Thou desirest that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (Prayer of St. Basil).”

Only one thing could accomplish this: a love stronger than man’s failure to love, ultimately, a love stronger than death. True love means the total gift of oneself to another, the emptying of oneself. This profound self-emptying must take the form of sacrifice and suffering for such love is not natural to us. It was not enough that God simply appear on earth as man and teach us a better way to live, for man had to be healed of his sin and achieve the purpose for which he was created.

God had to enter into the lowest depths of human existence. He had to experience the ultimate consequences of man’s sinfulness. Then Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

On January 6th we celebrate Epiphany, the appearance of Jesus as the human Messiah of Israel and the Divine Son of God, One of the Holy Trinity with the Father and the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was 30 years of age He was baptized in the waters of the Jordan by St. John. This was the first public manifestation of God the Word Incarnate to the world and thus began the Lord’s public ministry.

Let us pray in our homes:

Let us pray to the Lord:

Lord have mercy. ‘O God our Savior, the True Light, Who was baptized in the Jordan by John to renew all men by the waters of regeneration, and Who condescended to enter under the roof of Zacchaeus, bringing salvation to him and to all his house: As the same Lord, also keep safe from harm those who dwell here; grant to them Thy blessing, purification and health of body; grant all their petitions that are for their salvation and eternal life; for Thou art blessed, together with Thine eternal Father and Thy most-Holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages (Amen).’

May God bless all of you this new year with peace and love and may you return His goodness with thanksgiving each and every day.

Happy Birthday to all those celebrating their birthday in January. Among those are: Stephen Fabian, January 3; Bob Czech, January 8; Ken Baron on January 11; Joseph Pecoraro, January 13; Nicholas Alexander Silvestre, January 22; and Chris Baron on January 23. We wish all of you a very Happy Birthday and may God grant you all Many Years!

Helen Baron, our coordinator for the food pantry, wants to thank everyone for their generous support in supplying food and money throughout the Holiday season. Many grateful families and individuals, who otherwise would have had an empty table, sat down to a wonderful dinner due to the help provided by those who care. However, the need is persistent so please continue your support and help re-stock the now empty shelves. Thank you for your help.