"Epiphany" is a word that comes from the Greek and French gave us the "lantern". It means even before the advent of Christianity a god or a king said when he came to visit a city. The Christian feast of Epiphany celebrates the One who comes to visit his people (Luke 1, 68).
These wise men, who were they? They were probably originally a Median tribe (north of present-day Iran). They were for centuries a separate caste who performed priestly functions, interpreted dreams, practiced divination, measured time, to determine the seasons and set a date for lunar festivals. To do this, they were engaged in a comprehensive study of celestial phenomena, which made them the inventors of astronomy. But it should be noted that throughout the Bible, the Magi are seen very negatively. The only passage where there are "good" mages, it's one we just heard.
The big message that the evangelist wants us to communicate is that if even mages have set out to be the first witnesses of the birth of Jesus, this implies that they are all men of all nations are invited to make the search for God. For Luke, therefore, the first worshipers are the small, despised shepherds at the time in the Jewish people. For Matthew, it is the priests of a rival religion, Mazdeism, so not too many people saw. Jesus is the Saviour and the Jews, and of all nations without exception.
Indeed, it is always God who first seeks the man! That is the meaning of the Star of the Magi: it is God who takes the initiative.
But is it not the one we care when you have nothing else to do The one who always has good reasons to forget because it does not respond instantly to our prayers, because believers are no better than the others, because there is too much suffering in the world ... without neglecting those who have an intellectual knowledge of the Scriptures (the priests and scribes consulted by Herod), but do not come en route.
So the wise men tell us three things. First, to search for. They tell us that God is in front: we are destined to be explorers of God's real allegiance is to move forward. Then, the appetite for risk. When one starts looking, it is always possible to be wrong. But we are sure that God is with us in our research and even in our wanderings. Finally, they show us that God is never where you think it should be. They thought to find in a prestigious city to the Temple, but they are driven to a house of a village obscure. Offer, with them, too, gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Gold evokes all that is our economic life. We can ask, for each of us, a life more balanced and secure. But also, ask him the strength to act so that the property is more evenly distributed, because so many people lack necessities.
The incense is a sign of prayer: it smells good and it goes up to God. Do we want everyone to a real life of prayer and a simple and trusting relationship with God.
Myrrh, which was used to embalm the body, invites us not to let only those who know this year the trial of suffering and death, but that hope is strongest. Yes, early in the new year, instead of adding one year to life, add life to this year by welcoming more God and our brothers. - Sr.Francine
These wise men, who were they? They were probably originally a Median tribe (north of present-day Iran). They were for centuries a separate caste who performed priestly functions, interpreted dreams, practiced divination, measured time, to determine the seasons and set a date for lunar festivals. To do this, they were engaged in a comprehensive study of celestial phenomena, which made them the inventors of astronomy. But it should be noted that throughout the Bible, the Magi are seen very negatively. The only passage where there are "good" mages, it's one we just heard.
The big message that the evangelist wants us to communicate is that if even mages have set out to be the first witnesses of the birth of Jesus, this implies that they are all men of all nations are invited to make the search for God. For Luke, therefore, the first worshipers are the small, despised shepherds at the time in the Jewish people. For Matthew, it is the priests of a rival religion, Mazdeism, so not too many people saw. Jesus is the Saviour and the Jews, and of all nations without exception.
Indeed, it is always God who first seeks the man! That is the meaning of the Star of the Magi: it is God who takes the initiative.
But is it not the one we care when you have nothing else to do The one who always has good reasons to forget because it does not respond instantly to our prayers, because believers are no better than the others, because there is too much suffering in the world ... without neglecting those who have an intellectual knowledge of the Scriptures (the priests and scribes consulted by Herod), but do not come en route.
So the wise men tell us three things. First, to search for. They tell us that God is in front: we are destined to be explorers of God's real allegiance is to move forward. Then, the appetite for risk. When one starts looking, it is always possible to be wrong. But we are sure that God is with us in our research and even in our wanderings. Finally, they show us that God is never where you think it should be. They thought to find in a prestigious city to the Temple, but they are driven to a house of a village obscure. Offer, with them, too, gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Gold evokes all that is our economic life. We can ask, for each of us, a life more balanced and secure. But also, ask him the strength to act so that the property is more evenly distributed, because so many people lack necessities.
The incense is a sign of prayer: it smells good and it goes up to God. Do we want everyone to a real life of prayer and a simple and trusting relationship with God.
Myrrh, which was used to embalm the body, invites us not to let only those who know this year the trial of suffering and death, but that hope is strongest. Yes, early in the new year, instead of adding one year to life, add life to this year by welcoming more God and our brothers. - Sr.Francine
First Reading: Isaiah 60: 1 - 6
1 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.
3 And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
4 Lift up your eyes round about, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far, and your daughters shall be carried in the arms.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant, your heart shall thrill and rejoice; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
6 A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Mid'ian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.
Psalms 72: 1 - 2, 7 - 8, 10 - 13
1 Give the king thy justice, O God, and thy righteousness to the royal son!
2 May he judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with justice!
7 In his days may righteousness flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth!
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!
11 May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!
12 For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.
13 He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.
Second Reading: Ephesians 3: 2 - 3, 5 - 6
2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you,
3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 2: 1 - 12
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying,
2 "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him."
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet:
6 `And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'"
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared;
8 and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him."
9 When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy;
11 and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
1 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.
3 And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
4 Lift up your eyes round about, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far, and your daughters shall be carried in the arms.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant, your heart shall thrill and rejoice; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
6 A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Mid'ian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.
Psalms 72: 1 - 2, 7 - 8, 10 - 13
1 Give the king thy justice, O God, and thy righteousness to the royal son!
2 May he judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with justice!
7 In his days may righteousness flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth!
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!
11 May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!
12 For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.
13 He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.
Second Reading: Ephesians 3: 2 - 3, 5 - 6
2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you,
3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 2: 1 - 12
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying,
2 "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him."
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet:
6 `And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'"
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared;
8 and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him."
9 When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy;
11 and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
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