Additional Information About the Solemnity of Epiphany[1]
Readings for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Isaiah 60:1-6
The Church sees in the images of Isaiah’s prophecy symbols of her universality. We hear echoes of Isaiah’s prophetic vision of the coming of Christ and what that means.(“See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory”). Verses 5 and 6 give clear reference to the arrival of the Magi as the Prophet envisions the gifts of gold and frankincense being brought from the east in praise of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13
R Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
This selection focuses us clearly on the revelation of Christ. References are made to the Son of the King who will govern the people with justice. In the third strophe we are given kings bringing gifts and finally, in the fourth strophe we see the Savior’s care for the poor reflected.
Reading II Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
Paul, in his Letter to the Ephesians, makes reference to the revelation by God of his Only Son through various means to all peoples. He mentions specifically the Apostles and prophets have been lead to enlightenment by the Holy Spirit and now the Gentiles. The reference traces the predictive revelation from the prophets who foresaw the coming of the Messiah, to the Apostles who walked with him, to Paul whose mission to the Gentiles fulfills the global mission of Jesus.
Gospel Matthew 2:1-12
We hear the story of the Magi (whom tradition holds were named Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar) coming to pay homage to Jesus. For us, in this time the story holds significance not only as a significant event in the life of Jesus, but also as a symbol of the Lord’s universal revelation. Scripture and tradition hold that the Magi were from Persia and were not Hebrew. Their participation in the revelation of the Messiah provides a global element to the coming of Christ.
While this story provides depth and meaning to the coming of Christ as a universal symbol of salvation, it also sets the stage for other events in the life of Jesus. Had not Herod been made aware of the prophecy, he would not later have dispatched his solders to Bethlehem to slaughter the Holy Innocents and Joseph would not have been forced to flee to Egypt with a babe in arms.
Reflection:
Christmas tide draws to an end with this great celebration. The Universal Church around the world rejoices in the event that created her. We say that because this is the day we see, in the visit of the Magi, the mission of the Savior expanded beyond the Hebrew people as God embraces all of his creation.
Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, Persian astrologers brought their gifts to the new born King. They were not of the Hebrew faith. Rather they were directed by the Holy Spirit to that place at that time so that the world might marvel at God’s infinite love. The Gold, Frankincense and Mir were noble gifts that must have, to others present, seemed hugely contradictory to the circumstances of the Lord’s birth – a manger – a stable. It was hardly a place where one would expect the arrival of the most important person ever born of woman.
By the faith of Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar we are shown that one does not need to have some special heritage to belong to the Savior. Race, color, or national origins are not barriers to God’s saving love. How often that universal embrace has been forgotten in our history? How many times has the human race looked at itself and decided that only people of one region or one race or one set of customs may benefit from God’s favor?
Today, the whole world rejoices. The king of, not just the Jews, but of the whole world has been revealed and the door to salvation is flung open to all who can reach out to him. As we celebrate this day, let us all give thanks that in our time and place we can exercise that acceptance of God openly and freely. And may we also look at the example provided here of the universal love God has shown and to all people and attempt to stamp out any bigotry in our own hearts.
Pax
[1] The picture used today is “Adoration of the Magi” by Abraham Bloemaert, 1623-24
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
Readings for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Isaiah 60:1-6
The Church sees in the images of Isaiah’s prophecy symbols of her universality. We hear echoes of Isaiah’s prophetic vision of the coming of Christ and what that means.(“See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory”). Verses 5 and 6 give clear reference to the arrival of the Magi as the Prophet envisions the gifts of gold and frankincense being brought from the east in praise of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13
R Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
This selection focuses us clearly on the revelation of Christ. References are made to the Son of the King who will govern the people with justice. In the third strophe we are given kings bringing gifts and finally, in the fourth strophe we see the Savior’s care for the poor reflected.
Reading II Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
Paul, in his Letter to the Ephesians, makes reference to the revelation by God of his Only Son through various means to all peoples. He mentions specifically the Apostles and prophets have been lead to enlightenment by the Holy Spirit and now the Gentiles. The reference traces the predictive revelation from the prophets who foresaw the coming of the Messiah, to the Apostles who walked with him, to Paul whose mission to the Gentiles fulfills the global mission of Jesus.
Gospel Matthew 2:1-12
We hear the story of the Magi (whom tradition holds were named Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar) coming to pay homage to Jesus. For us, in this time the story holds significance not only as a significant event in the life of Jesus, but also as a symbol of the Lord’s universal revelation. Scripture and tradition hold that the Magi were from Persia and were not Hebrew. Their participation in the revelation of the Messiah provides a global element to the coming of Christ.
While this story provides depth and meaning to the coming of Christ as a universal symbol of salvation, it also sets the stage for other events in the life of Jesus. Had not Herod been made aware of the prophecy, he would not later have dispatched his solders to Bethlehem to slaughter the Holy Innocents and Joseph would not have been forced to flee to Egypt with a babe in arms.
Reflection:
Christmas tide draws to an end with this great celebration. The Universal Church around the world rejoices in the event that created her. We say that because this is the day we see, in the visit of the Magi, the mission of the Savior expanded beyond the Hebrew people as God embraces all of his creation.
Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, Persian astrologers brought their gifts to the new born King. They were not of the Hebrew faith. Rather they were directed by the Holy Spirit to that place at that time so that the world might marvel at God’s infinite love. The Gold, Frankincense and Mir were noble gifts that must have, to others present, seemed hugely contradictory to the circumstances of the Lord’s birth – a manger – a stable. It was hardly a place where one would expect the arrival of the most important person ever born of woman.
By the faith of Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar we are shown that one does not need to have some special heritage to belong to the Savior. Race, color, or national origins are not barriers to God’s saving love. How often that universal embrace has been forgotten in our history? How many times has the human race looked at itself and decided that only people of one region or one race or one set of customs may benefit from God’s favor?
Today, the whole world rejoices. The king of, not just the Jews, but of the whole world has been revealed and the door to salvation is flung open to all who can reach out to him. As we celebrate this day, let us all give thanks that in our time and place we can exercise that acceptance of God openly and freely. And may we also look at the example provided here of the universal love God has shown and to all people and attempt to stamp out any bigotry in our own hearts.
Pax
[1] The picture used today is “Adoration of the Magi” by Abraham Bloemaert, 1623-24
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
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