May Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the holy one who brings us truth and grace, be with you.

The season of Christmas is over.  The frantic Christmas T.V. advertisements are placed back on the shelf.

The hectic visits and parties with families and friends have come to an end.  We return our lives to their ordinary, normal and regular routine.

Likewise with the Church:  she returns to the season of Ordinary Time.  We carry through this season of Ordinary Time, what we have heard  and experienced from the seasons of Advent and Christmas.  We try our best to maintain the themes of hope and of faith in a Messiah who promises to journey with us in our everyday lives.  We continue to listen to God's word and experience His many blessings and words of hope and encouragement.

Our readings today remind us of these themes.  The readings today encourage us to listen and to follow God's word.  When we do this, we become disciples for Christ.

Today, we also remember the life and legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King, a disciple of Christ.  While our world and communities continue to experience turmoil and violence, we need to maintain hope for a better world and society.  May his dream never disappear and may his dream continue to live on in us.

Peace,

Msgr. Britto