Daily Reflection – Jan 6 2019
Sunday 6 January 2019
First Reading: IS 60:1-6
Responsorial Psalm:
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
PS 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13
Second Reading: EPH 3:2-3A, 5-6
Gospel Reading: MT 2:1-12
Today’s Note: The Epiphany of the Lord
Gospel Reading:
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
in the days of King Herod,
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.”
When King Herod heard this,
he was greatly troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,
He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea,
for thus it has been written through the prophet:
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.”
Then Herod called the magi secretly
and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.
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.”
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.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star,
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.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they departed for their country by another way.
Reflection:
Bringing Gifts to the Lord
The ancient Feast of the Epiphany celebrates the truth that Israel’s Messiah is also the Savior of the entire world. The wise men from the east have seen a star heralding the birth of ruler of great significance. They have followed this star to Jerusalem but that is as far as their own natural wisdom (astronomy) can get them. They need the biblical wisdom of Istrael (an interpretation of thr prophecy of Micha) to find and worship the infant Messiah in Bethlehem. A combination of their own secular learning and biblical revelation has finally led them to the Saviour.
Beyond the reverence due to any ruler, the homage the wise men pay to the child is genuine worship. In the prrson of this child they acknowledge that God is ‘with us’ (‘Emmanuel’ Matt 2:23) in a unique way. They place before him the rich gifts of their culture and these are graciously received. Joseph has faded from the view; it is Mary, the mother of Jesus, who receives their gifts on his behalf.
The journey of the magi has been one of faith and risk. The tracherous and murderous figure of Herod looms over all, foreshadowing the Passion that is to come. But the riches of God’s salvation will go out the nations (Matt 28:18-20) and the nations will bring their own wisdom to the understanding and appreciation of the Gospel.
We walk in the footsteps of the wise men, sharing their longing, their faith, and the joy of their discovery. We too have gifts to bring reverently to the Lord.
