First Reading Isaiah 60:1-6
Jerusalem shall be a light to all nations.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 72:1-2,7-8,10-11,12-13
Every nation on earth shall worship the Lord.
Second Reading Ephesians 3:2-3a,5-6
Gentiles are coheirs in the promise of Christ.
Gospel Reading Matthew 2:1-12
The Magi seek out Jesus and do him homage.
Background on the Gospel Reading
The visit of the Magi occurs directly before the story of the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt. Matthew’s Gospel tells a version of Jesus’ birth that is different than the one in Luke. Of the actual birth of Jesus, Matthew tells us little more than, “When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod . . . ” The story of the census is found only in Luke’s Gospel, but we hear about the visit of the Magi only in Matthew’s Gospel.
We know little about the Magi. They come from the East and journey to Bethlehem, following an astrological sign, so we believe them to be astrologers. We assume that there were three Magi based upon the naming of their three gifts. The Gospel does not say how many Magi paid homage to Jesus. In Matthew’s Gospel, they represent the Gentiles’ search for a savior. Because the Magi represent the entire world, they also represent our search for Jesus.
We have come to consider the gifts they bring as a foreshadowing of Jesus’ role in salvation. We believe the meaning of the gifts to be Christological. Gold is presented as representative of Jesus’ kingship. Frankincense is a symbol of his divinity because priests burned the substance in the Temple. Myrrh, which was used to prepare the dead for burial, is offered in anticipation of Jesus’ death.
The word Epiphany means “manifestation” or “showing forth.” Historically several moments in Christ’s early life and ministry have been celebrated as “epiphanies,” including his birth in Bethlehem, the visit of the Magi, his baptism by John, and his first miracle at Cana.
November 14 - Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
November 7 - Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
October 31 - Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
October 24 - Thirtieth Sunday in ordinary time Year B
October 17 - Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
October 10 - Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
October 3 - Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
September 25 - Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
September 19 - Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
September 12 - Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
September 5 - Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
August 29 - Twenty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B
August 22 - Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B
August 15 -Twentieth Sunday of Year B (Bonus Episode on John 6)( Please Find below the episode of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary )
August 15 - The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
August 8 : Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B
August 1 - Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
July 25 - Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B
July 18 - Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B
July 11 - Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B
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