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.
January 26 :
January 19 :
January 12 :
January 5 :
January 1 :
December 29 :
December 25 - Christmas Day: God had visited us
December 22 - Fourth Sunday in Advent: Joseph, the just man
December 15 - Third Sunday of Advent: Rejoice
December 8 - Second Sunday in Advent : A voice crying in the wilderness
December 1 - First Sunday in Advent : Be awake and be Prepared
November 24 - Solemnity of Christ the King : " Thy kingdom come!"
November 17 - Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Jesus left the Temple and departed from it
November 10 – Thirty second Sunday in Ordinary Time : Heaven is our Home
November 3 – Thirty First Sunday in Ordinary Time : Zacchaeus’Transformation
October 27 : Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time - The Prayer of the Humble Man
October 20 - Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time : Persistent Widow
October 13 – Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time : Give thanks with a grateful heart
October 6 : 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Faith as a mustered seed
September 29 – Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time : Who is the Lazarus in my life?
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