Baptism of Our Lord

Today ends the season of Christmas - the feast of the Baptism of Christ. In the ancient Church (and Orthodox churches today), the Epiphany was the celebration of the Magi's visit, Baptism of Christ and 1st Miracle at Cana - all manifestations (epiphany) of God among us in the person of Jesus. But in the Western Church, it became separated - Epiphany for the Magi's visit, Baptism as a separate feast and the 1st Miracle is only celebrated here in the Holyland. Anyway the Baptism of Our Lord reminds us of our own baptism - our own mission as christians on this earth. Unfortunately for some of us, we don't even know what that is.

The weather is sunny but cold. Rained last night, which is good. But we need much more of it. Looks like it'll be heating up the rest of the week.

And the madness resumes ... first the Egyptians accuse Israel of sending sharks to attack people at Sharm el Sheikh. Now the Saudis say Israel has sent a vulture as a spy into their country. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12120259 
Thank goodness no blackbirds are falling from the sky (cf Arkansas, Louisiana, Sweden) or fish / crabs dying on the seashores (cf New Zealand, Arkansas, England) here in our region ... it'll be fuel to the conspiracy theory wildfire. Read about the animocalypse at  http://www.news.com.au/world/is-it-an-animal-apocalypse-here-are-the-facts-and-theories-about-recent-mass-die-offs/story-e6frfkyi-1225983078355 So all the news and hype over mass animal deaths - now,  I've got one: how about mass Christian deaths: murdered, slaughtered, persecuted? Anyone concern about that? Any conspiracy theories on that? Anyone doing anything about that? Or do we sweep it under the carpet of history and say "natural phenomenon"?