THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
Adoration of the Magi by Hugo van der Goes
While this painting is generally viewed as the Three Kings or Magi – Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar – adoring the Infant Jesus, the Flemish artist Hugo van der Goes has also applied other identities to the worshipers.
The Three Kings and the figure of Joseph are grouped to represent the Four Latin Doctors of the Church: Joseph as St Ambrose, Melchior as Pope St Gregory the Great; Caspar as St Jerome, and Balthazar as St Augustine. This is qualified by the liturgical colour of their ‘vestments’, the principal colours worn by priests for celebrating Mass. Ambrose wears Rose, Gregory wears Red, Jerome is in Black (his attribute, the kneeling ‘lion’ alongside is draped in Purple), while Augustine is robed in Green.
A third level of identities is given to the Three Kings. Lining up with gifts for the Infant Jesus are: Pope Sixtus IV, Frederick III and Holy Roman Emperor, his kneeling son Maximilian I, and Ludovico (the Moor) Sforza who was Regent of Milan. Behind Ludovico is his young nephew and Duke of Milan, Gian Galeazzo Sforza.
The artist adds a further level of identities and references to present not just a scene depicting the birth of Christ, but also his death and resurrection.
More details at this link which is a study still in progress
JESUS
THE HOLY NAME OF
A BEAUTIFUL BLESSING FOR 2018
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord uncover his face to you and bring you peace.
Numbers 6 : 24-26
THEOTOKOS
MARY
MOTHER
OF GOD
WORLD DAY OF PEACE
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY
Stretching out his hand towards his disciples, Jesus said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.”
Matthew 12 : 49-50
< Holy Family, Oasis of Peace, Medjugorje
There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God day and night with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.
Luke 2 : 36-38
The wind blows wherever it pleases; you hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going, That is how it is with all who are born of the Spirit. John 3 : 8
FEAST OF ST STEPHEN, MARTYR
How often our lives and our hearts are broken, separated and sliced into pieces of pain because of sin – and yet our fragmented failings, our shattered souls, all the irregular bits and scraps, the sharp and blunt stones which we sling and hurl to hurt each other, and so ourselves, are all seen and gathered by the Maker – and with loving care and patience he crafts a new creation, a miraculous mosaic of beautiful brokenness.
