Gospel: January 5, 2025
January 5, 2025 (Sunday)
Solemnity of the epiphany of the Lord
Psalter: Week 1 / (White)
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 100: 1b-2, 3, 4, 5
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
1st Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
2nd Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
You may have heard of the graces God bestowed on me, for your sake. By a revelation, he gave me the knowledge of his mysterious design, as I have explained in a few words. This mystery was not made known to past generations, but only now, through revelations, given to holy apostles and prophets, by the Spirit. Now, the non-Jews share the inheritance; in Christ Jesus, the non-Jews are incorporated, and are to enjoy the Promise.
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in Judea, during the days of king Herod, wise men from the East arrived in Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw the rising of his star in the East and have come to honor him.” When Herod heard this he was greatly disturbed, and with him all Jerusalem. He immediately called a meeting of all high-ranking priests and teachers of the law, and asked them where the Messiah was to be born.
“In the town of Bethlehem in Judea,” they told him, “for this is what the prophet wrote: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least among the clans of Judah, for from you will come a leader, one who is to shepherd my people Israel.” Then Herod secretly called the wise men and asked them the precise time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem with these instructions, “Go and get accurate information about the child. As soon as you have found him, report to me, so that I, too, may go and honor him.” After the meeting with the king, they set out.
The star that they had seen in the East went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. The wise men were overjoyed on seeing the star again. They went into the house, and when they saw the child with Mary his mother, they knelt and worshiped him. They opened their bags and offered him their gifts of gold, incense and myrrh. In a dream they were warned not to go back to Herod, so they returned to their home country by another way.
Lection Divina:
“Giving Christ first place in your life.”
Read: The wise men make their journey from the East to search for the infant King of the Jews. They recognize God’s hand at work in his universe and seek to understand the signs of the times. Their search leads them to find the true morning star: Christ, the light of all the nations.
Reflect: Epiphany means manifestation or revelation. “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Ps 19:2), and by the light of the star the little child of Bethlehem is revealed as Lord and Saviour of all peoples. Christ’s mission of salvation excludes no one. This is a cause of great joy for the Magi, and they worship him. In contrast, this is a cause of fear and resentment in the heart of King Herod, as he sees the Christ-child as a threat to his earthly power rather than welcoming him as the longed-for Savior.
Pray: Ask for the wisdom and insight to see God at work in your life. Welcome Christ as your King. Worship him as Lord and God. Unlike Herod, do not be afraid to give Christ first place in your life.
Act: The Magi offered gifts to Jesus, recognizing his divine dignity. May we recognize the presence of Christ in the needy, acknowledging their God-given dignity by giving them something of our time, of our possessions and our solidarity.
