FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 60:1-6)
“The glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Loan will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall walk by your light, and kings in the brightness of your rising. 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. 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. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 72:1-2.7-8.10-11.12- 13 (R. cf. 11)
R/. All nations on earth shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord
O God, give your judgement to the king,
to a king’s son your justice,
that he may judge your people in justice,
and your poor in right judgement. R.
In his days shall justice flourish,
and great peace till the moon is no more.
He shall rule from sea to sea,
from the River to the bounds of the earth. R.
The kings of Tarshish and the islands
shall pay him tribute.
The kings of Sheba and Seba
shall bring him gifts.
Before him all kings shall fall prostrate,
all nations shall serve him. R/.
For he shall save the needy when they cry,
the poor, and those who are helpless.
He will have pity on the weak and the needy,
and save the lives of the needy. R/.
SECOND READING
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 3:2-3a.5-6)
“It has now been revealed that the Gentiles are fellow heirs of the promise.”
Brethren: I assume that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, 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; that is, how the Gen- tiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA Matthew 2:2
Alleluia. We have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship the Lord. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthews 2:1-12)
“We have come from the East to worship the king.”
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, “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.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: ‘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. ”’ Then Herod summoned the Wise Men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; 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.” When they had heard the king they went their way; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
The celebration of the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord is a commemoration of God’s revelation of Himself to all of humanity, unhindered by any human limitation. The Magi received this revelation through their astrology, which shows that God can reveal himself through any means or person he chooses. This calls us to guard against discrimination of any kind in our Christian living. God is for all of us and reveals himself to all in different ways. Pay attention to the events around you; God could be talking to you through them. When it becomes difficult for you to understand, God will provide you with a star to direct you. He did not fail the Magi; he will not fail you.