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CLICK HERE for the Audio recording of the Readings of
January 5th, 2020.
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.
CLICK HERE for the Readings of January 5th, 2020.
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. -
The Christmas Season began Christmas Eve Night and continues through January 12th, 2020.
Welcome the Light into your Life by celebrating the Eucharist!
The Epiphany of the Lord,
Sunday, January 5th: 8:00AM and 10:30AM
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord,
Sunday, January 12th: 8:00AM and 10:30AM
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Sunday January 5th, 2020, The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.
Arise! Shine, for your light has come,…
Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance...
Isaiah 60: 1,3Allow ‘the light’ to be seen!
The first reading is a beautiful poem by Isaiah to a dispersing nation. The Lord will not abandon them. Never!
He will send them a messiah (the light). When the messiah comes, it will be a time of restoration. All who are illuminated by the light will be brought back to life. The intensity this light will be so great that even foreigners and the dispersed Jews will come to pay him homage with expensive gifts (gold, frankincense and myrrh).
The first reading is a message of hope, meant to give reassurance to the people. The messiah comes to reverse the dark tide of life, to bring serenity and peace.
Isaiah’ s prophecy is far from realized even after Jesus comes. It is an ongoing fulfillment. We who are baptized and receive the good news (light) of Christ, must transform the world around us continually by the example of our lives. (We are God’s hands, mouth, feet, and hands in the world). The light of the Gospel given to us is not for ‘keeps’ or exclusively for only yourself. It is meant to be shared. Let the light be ‘seen’!
Throughout the centuries, those who first received the word of God (the light) kept it more to themselves. They thought that it was only meant for a few chosen people. Only their kind. They obviously begin to feel special and superior. Arrogance and pride set in. This attitude always breeds self-preservation. The early church of Matthew’s times experiences tensions between those who first received the Good news and those latter converts. The converts are Gentiles and are joining in droves. They are met by rejection. Matthew is thus moved to write a story (today’s gospel) around a popular belief.
It was believed that each person is represented by a star which appears at his/her birth. Matthew builds on this popular belief writing: When Jesus was born, in the days of King Herod, Magi came from the east. They had seen his star and they wanted to come do him homage. The word ‘magi’ probably meant pagan astrologists, people who studied the universe/natural, religionists (they are certainly so different and so alien as possibly conceived). And Herod? Herod represents the Guardian and Architect of the Judaic nation and Judaism (this nation of ‘the first chosen ones’). He is greatly troubled. Which Child king could possibly be greater than he? From where? And what a shock. It seems very true. (His advisors tell him, with citations from great wisdom books! Oh No! ) Then, can anything good come from Bethlehem, really? He of course plots to destroy the child (‘Go and find the child diligently, bring me word that I too may come do him homage’). In a dream, the magi depart from another way.
The light of Christ has come (Christmas has been here for a few days now). Jesus’ birth means, the advent of the Good news enters into our lives. We must allow the light of the gospel and its hope, to shine. Let it be ‘seen’ by the witness of your life. The light that has come, shines so powerfully still and it will be seen by many people from near and far, often people so different from you, in ways so foreign, in so varied expressions and ways.
Let that not intimidate or scare you. Be comfortable! Watch ‘the Herod’ in us too: a quickness to reject, or tear down, or look down on that which is not or unlike us. Trace and embrace that which is good and life giving.
See, appreciate and welcome that which is good or better, even if it is not of your own.
Herod is in for the surprise of his life, from the ‘little Bethlehem’ comes the Lord of Peace and Hope.
And why not! The light of Bethlehem of GOD, Undefeated Light! Nothing stands in its way.
Happy Feast of Epiphany.
Fr. Anthony
CLICK HERE for an understanding of the Christmas Season.
CLICK HERE for additinal information on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.
View the below video for another Sunday Reflection on the readings. -