January 18, 2026, Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6; Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; John 1:29-34

In thanksgiving for the Christmas season, we are now in Ordinary Time. As remarked by US Catholic, “The ordinary here does not refer to a season of dull routine but rather the listing of ordinal, or sequential, numbers. This is what is meant by the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, etc. (Interestingly, there is no First Sunday in Ordinary Time in the liturgical calendar, because it is replaced by the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.) Rather than making a statement about degrees of importance, the term Ordinary Time refers to the order of Sundays in the church year that do not fall into the major liturgical seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, or Easter,” (by John T. Kyler, published 6/30/23) 

We are blessed with this Sunday’s readings with the repetition of the Jesus’ Baptism, in whom the Trinity is present: Since Jesus (SON) had sunken into the water, he exemplifies that he is accompanying us in our sinful manner, and the heavens open and there is the HOLY SPIRIT in the form of a dove, and the FATHER’S voice,  “This is my beloved Son…”

On behalf of our community, we pray for a Blessed New Year, one of holiness, peace and love. MK

Pope Leo XIV – Intentions for the month of January 2026: For prayer with the Word of God
Let us pray that praying with the Word of God be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us to build a more fraternal and missionary Church.

“BE DOERS OF THE WORD,” by Bishop James S. Wall, Bishop of the Gallup diocese 2024: “Most Rev. James S. Wall, Bishop of Gallup discusses his special connection to the diocese and his experience as bishop in this unique diocese. Bishop Wall also talks about how the Catholic Home Missions Appeal helps provide the faithful of his diocese with the most basic things and why contributing to the Collection is so important. Bishop Wall’s diocese also has the highest percentage of Native American lands of any diocese in the country, he briefly discusses how the Church can minister to Native Americans through the Pastoral Framework for Indigenous Ministry “Keeping Christ’s Sacred Promise”.

MISSION STATEMENT –The Monastery of Our Lady of the Desert is a monastic community of women in the Benedictine tradition. We profess vows of stability, conversion of life and obedience. Our primary mission, is to seek God through a life of prayer, silence and solitude. Our way of life frees us to give glory and praise to God, intercede through prayer for the needs of the world and hospitality