The Feast of the Epiphany :
The manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles.

Alleluia, alleluia.
We have seen His star in the East
and have come with gifts to worship the Lord. ( Matt. 2:2)
Alleluia.

This is one of my favorite feast days, and thank God this year it's on a Sunday, so we can actually celebrate it on its proper date. Personally, I can't stand the practice of moving major feasts like All Saints and Epiphany to the following Sunday. To me that just de-emphasises the importance of the day.

The Mass today (High English) at noon was lovely, with Bishop Aymond as the only celebrant.
At the Consecration I was in tears, as I often am at that point. Over-emotional ? Perhaps, but I am one of those few people at The Stone who don't raise their arms at worship because I think it's too "showy" ( no criticism of those who do, of course). I think in actuality the Spirit works on me hard at Mass-- and He also does with the sermon at ASCC .

I am still in the process of trying to inform all my Evangelical friends of my change of church home; a few I have not gotten to yet, but very few have responded, either. I think most don't know what to say. I hope tonight's service goes smoothly without too much awkwardness.

Today's Epistle really got to me :

Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6 :
Brothers and sisters: You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (NAB)

What Good News that is, to be adopted along with (and sometimes, alas, instead of) the Chosen People ! What a merciful and awesome God we have ! I couldn't help but think of my friend Jason, now the Messianist.

I don't have much time to write. I am attempting to start a reformation of sorts (oh, that word !) in my personal life; there are a number of stubborn sins that I have been trying for some time to shake, with little success. Anyone who may read this, please pray for me -especially that I will be open to God doing this in me, instead of my thinking I actually have the strength to do it myself.

Lastly I would like to call attention to another blog I have listed to the right, under "Cloud and Fire". It is by my dear friend and sister in Christ Michael Ann Roe, also of ASCC. She is currently serving as a missionary to the students of Guttenberg University in Germany. Our Lord has called her to spread the Light of Christ in a culture that gets darker by the day. Read her blog, and please pray for her, too.

I hope to post again later in the week.
Dominus vobiscum.