After a Christmas full of the joys of family time and the bummers of identity fraud and sickness, we managed to rally on Epiphany, frost some sugar cookies, and feel fortunate that, as Catholics, we get to celebrate well beyond the feast of the Nativity. All the joy didn’t have to be crammed into a solitary 24 hours.
Now that we are entering in on the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, on this uncharacteristically Spring-like January day, the Pope Benedict XVI nutcracker has been packed away with the tissue-wrapped ceramic Christ Child. We are blessed. I managed to complete all sorts of menial labor today, which means that tomorrow, the Sabbath, will be blissfully Sunday-like. This is the second weekend in a row that this has happened, and it makes me wonder why I ever put anything off – lesson planning, grading, writing, studying – until Sunday. We have no glamourous plans tonight – unless an inexpensive Bordeaux, NFL Division Playoffs (Go Ravens), or an endlessly chuckling baby fit your parameters (they might just fit mine) – and it’s rather a relief and yet another reason to feel grateful. This Year of Faith just might be about not only stoking the flames of conviction and hope, but also seeking simplicity and the gladness that can come with it.
As we consider the calendar, we have some exciting weeks ahead. Z and I will be heading to Washington, D.C. in a week and a half to march on behalf of Life. I’ll be at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception signing copies of my books (Ablaze and Radiate) all day Thursday, January 24th, as well as on the morning and afternoon of Friday, January 25th, when Z and I aren’t out Marching.
A few weeks later, on Saturday, February 9, Matt will be speaking at The Integrated Catholic Life’s Atlanta Catholic Business Conference. If you’re a Christian who is striving to unify your professional and faith life, I’d encourage you to consider attending this incredibly worthwhile event.
I bought Ablaze for our daughter for Christmas. I had no idea you wrote it! I just recently found your blog, and hadn’t paid attention to the author of the book. Ablaze is amazing!
God bless,
Kate N.
Kate,
I’m honored that ‘Ablaze’ was gifted to your daughter for Christmas. Not only was it fun to write, but it’s allowed me to meet some awesome people along the way!
I had no idea you were a Ravens fan. Congrats on the win!
Well, calling me any kind of football fan would probably be an exaggeration, but Matt likes it and I’m from Maryland, so the Ravens were the obvious choice. Plus, the English teacher in me knows that they have the best team name in professional sports.
If Matt is to be in Georgia in the near future, you should really let me know his particulars. I will drive up to see him if I can.
Will,
It will be a whirlwind in Georgia, no doubt, but if you can visit, I’m sure he would love to get to see you. The conference itself sounds like it is going to be an excellent event – the keynote is a business professional who is also a former Swiss Guard.