In the secular world, Christmas is but a single day. Wow, so much work for just a day of celebration! Many Catholics celebrate the full 12 Days of Christmas. While others still see the Christmas Season as ending with the Baptismal of the Lord.
Christmas is always Christmas – December 25. It is the anchor date for the Advent Season (four Sundays BEFORE Christmas). In the United States, traditionally the Christmas Season ends with Epiphany Sunday. While the actual date of the Epiphany remains on January 6, under the guise of Pastoral Care, Epiphany Sunday is celebrated on the first Sunday between January 2 and January 8. Why not January 1? That’s already a Holy Day of Obligation regardless of the day of the week. This year Epiphany Sunday, the last Sunday of the Season before Ordinary Time, was January 4. So the 2025-26 Christmas Season was 10 days long.
Today marks the first Sunday in Ordinary Times, the Baptismal of the Lord. Ordinary Times sounds trivial, of no real value or importance. Nothing could be further from the truth. Ordinary Times refers to the events of His life among us. The visit from the Magi reflects an event in that life and the turning point from the Christ-Mas Season to the life and times of Christ. It also signified the revelation of the birth of the Messiah to the gentiles. While a Savior was promised to the Jewish people, Jesus came for all of humanity. His baptismal was unnecessary – He did not need to be saved. However; He showed through His own example that the road to reconciliation is one of conversion. That first step of conversation is baptismal. For it is through the act of being baptized that we are joined with God.
Seven hundred years before the coming of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah wrote: Thus says the LORD: Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations.
Saint Matthew brings this prophecy to it’s fulfillment when he writes: As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him. And a voice from heaven said “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.”
Praise be to God.
Today is also the second Sunday in January, National Family Supper Day. These pork chops are a delicious way to celebrate this beautiful day.
Braised Pork Chops in White Wine
6 thin boneless Pork Chops
2 tablespoons Butter
2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil
1/2 White Onion
2 Garlic Cloves
1 teaspoon Seasoned Salt
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
1/4 cup White Wine
1/4 cup Chicken Stock
Heat oven to 325-degrees.
Cut onion in half from root to tip. Reserve half for another purpose. Peel and finely dice remaining half. Peel garlic, crush cloves. Season the pork chops with Seasoned Salt, garlic powder and pepper. Set aside
In a large skillet over medium heat melt the butter. Once melted, add the oil; swirl pan to coat. Sear the pork chops in batches if necessary, searing for about five minutes on the first side, and three to four minutes on the other side. Once all the chops are seared, hold on a plate.
To the now empty skillet add the minced onions and crushed garlic, cook for three minutes. Add the white wine, continue to cook until reduce by half. Add the stock; return the pork chops to the skillet, cover with a lid.
Place pork chops in the heated oven to braise for 20 minutes undisturbed. To serve, plate pork chops and spoon any pan drippings over the chops.
Delicious served with Jasmine Vegetable Rice Pilaf and Green Beans.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters,
the LORD, over vast waters.
The voice of the LORD is mighty;
the voice of the LORD is majestic.
Welcome to Rosemarie's Kitchen 