Monday Inspirations 01/12/26
Posted January 12th, 2026
Inspiration to Start the Work Week
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
It has been a beautiful season between Christmas and Epiphany that extended into the Sunday after Epiphany that we just celebrated. It was a joy to have the Cathedral full yesterday as well. That is one of the wonderful things about our faith. We spend a great deal of time in anticipation preparing for feasts and also plenty of time celebrating! It allows us to truly be impacted by the feast.
Below is the hymn that I read during my sermon and another one that I highlighted at Saturday's Vespers. Below that is a reflection from the Youth Ministries of the Archdiocese. The second hymn sums up this whole period from Christmas through Epiphany with the following: "When you voluntarily became poor, the world became rich."
Love in Christ,
Fr. Paul
The true Light has appeared and bestows
illumination on all. Christ is baptized with us, even
though He is above all purity; and thus He infuses
sanctification into the water, which then becomes
the purifying agent of our souls. What is seen
belongs to earth; but what is understood transcends
the heavens. By means of a bath comes salvation;
by means of water comes the Spirit; by means of
immersion does our ascent to God come to pass.
How wonderful are Your works, O Lord! Glory to You!The armies of the Angels were amazed, seeing
You today in the Jordan, O Savior, standing naked
in the water, and bowing Your immaculate head
for John to baptize You. When You voluntarily
became poor, the world became rich. O Lord, glory to You.
Y2AM - Orthodox Christian Youth and Young Adult Ministries
Today, the Sunday after Epiphany, we see that when Jesus heard it was time to move, He stepped straight into His purpose, bringing light to places that felt forgotten.
Matthew 4:12–17 shows Christ launching His mission with a bold invitation: “Turn around. There’s a better way.”
Epiphany reminds us that God doesn’t hide His light; He shows up so we can see clearly. That same light Jesus brought to Galilee in today’s Gospel is the light He offers you today. You’re never too young to shift direction, start fresh, or walk toward something brighter. Your story can change the moment you say yes to the light that’s already breaking in. #Orthodoxy #Matthew #Gospel #Epiphany
