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Readings for Sunday January 2nd 2011 Epiphany of the Lord

Contrary to the end of the festivities in the secular world, the Church continues to celebrate the season of Christmas. The Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord celebrates Jesus’ manifestation, or revealing, to all the people of the earth. (‘Epiphany’ literally means to reveal or to manifest.) This is important because it marks a profound departure from Judaism, in which God revealed Himself solely to the people of Israel. Now, through Christ, God is revealing Himself to all people, to both the Jews and the non-Jewish (Gentile) people. The first Gentiles to recognize the presence of Christ were the Magi from the east. This Gospel passage doesn’t tell us much about the Magi. We really don’t know how many there were, but we do know that there were three gifts that they offered the Baby. We know that they were ‘wise men’, but not so wise that they talked themselves out of their need for Christ. They knew that the star they had seen was leading them to a newborn king, and they knew he was the king of the Jews. (Interesting to note that while many ‘scholars’ try to explain away the possibility of a miraculous star, their text does not give us any other options of what it was, like perhaps a comet, or rocket, or meteor shower, but states numerous times that it was a star.) We also know that they attracted the watch of King Herod, who, through inquiring about the newborn King, began a path of envy and murder because of the threat to his power. The magi continued with perseverance and arrived safely to Bethlehem, the place where the star led them. The magi’s reaction to meeting the Child is one of joy and homage (which means worship). The magi were the first to begin the Christmas tradition of giving gifts, for they offered the Baby gold, frankincense and myrrh. The magi are examples of how all of us should greet Christ, offering ourselves as gifts to Him. The magi knew that Christ was the source of true joy, and our challenge this Christmas season is to turn our lives over to Him in joy, no matter the hardship we face. As we experience the Lord this Christmas season, let us ask God for the grace to bring His peace to all those we meet. May we, too, offer Jesus gifts in worship of Him. Ultimately, the greatest gift we can all give Jesus is the gift of our hearts. This is all that Jesus asks of us, yet it is often the most difficult thing to give Him. May we have the grace and courage to give Jesus everything, and be His light to all those we meet in our lives.

Summary of the Gospel by YM Central

Questions for Discussion:

1. Read over this passage again, and list any clues we have about Herod’s evil plot to kill the Child. How does Herod try to hide that plot from the magi?

2. The star was a physical presence God put in the sky to lead the magi to Christ. Who or what has been a presence to you that has lead you to Christ? Give at least three examples.

3. What things in your life rob you of your joy of growing closer to Christ? How can you better protect that joy from being taken away?


Reading 1 Isaiah Chapter 60: 1-6

1 Rise up in splendor! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. 3 Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance.
4 Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: Your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. 5 Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. 6 Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; All from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

Reading II Ephesians Chapter 3: 2-3a, 5-6

2 if, as I suppose, you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for your benefit, 3 (namely, that) the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly earlier. 5 which was not made known to human beings in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, 6 that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Gospel Matthew Chapter 2: 1-12

1 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage." 3 When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: 6 'And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" 7 Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage." 9 After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
10 They were overjoyed at seeing the star, 11 and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.