Commentary on the Readings for Sunday – January 3, 2010
The Feast of the Epiphany
Sunday, January 3, the Church celebrates the Feast of Epiphany which represents the coming of God to earth in the form of Jesus Christ. In years past, this important feast was celebrated on January 6th regardless of what day of the week it fell. January 6th was the 12th Night of Christmas and, in some countries and cultures, it was the night when gifts where exchanged in remembrance of the Magi’s arrival and giving gifts to the newborn Christ Child. It was also the official end of the Christmas Season and a reason to celebrate all the joys and pleasures of Christmas.
Now the Church celebrates this Feast on the Sunday closest to January 6th so that it receives greater recognition than it would if celebrated on a weekday. All of these reasons for celebrating are good and of value, but we must keep with the true meaning of the Epiphany in mind. The word is from the ancient Greek meaning “manifestation” or “revealing” as in presenting oneself to the world. In this feast, we celebrate the coming of God into our world as Man and making Himself known through the angels, the shepherds, the Magi, the Apostles and finally through the Church, and though He came in this humble way of being born in a stable, He is still God.
The First Reading is from the Prophet Isaiah (60:1 – 6). In it we hear the prophet encouraging the people of Israel to rejoice and not be so sad because, if they are true to their Lord God then the Glory that used to be found in Jerusalem at the time of Solomon will return. The Church looks upon this passage as prophesy that has been fulfilled through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Just think of how this land (Israel) has been blessed by millions of people over the centuries coming to see where Christ was born, lived and died.
In the Responsorial Psalm (72:1 – 13), the psalmist picks up the same theme of celebrating the coming of the “King of kings and the Lord of lords.” Although he might not have realized it at the time, this Psalm fits the description of Jesus, the divine King of the Jews and of all mankind.
The Second Reading is taken from St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians (3:2 – 6). In chapter One of Ephesians, Paul gave us a brief glimpse of God’s Plan of Salvation (1:3 – 10). Here, he explains how he received this great insight and what it means for all who accept Christ and live by His teachings.
The Gospel Reading is from the Gospel of Matthew (2:2 – 12). In this passage we hear the familiar story of the three men, called Magi in Matthew’s gospel, but elsewhere they are called ”wise men” or “astrologers” and still in other places they are called ”kings.” It took faith and obedience to their inner conscience (the Holy Spirit ?) to travel to a distant land to worship and give gifts to the child who would be Lord and Savior. Let us not look so much at who or what these three men were, but rather, let us see what they did out of faith. During this holy season can we imitate the Magi by going out of our way to worship the Christ Child – the Babe of Bethlehem? Something to think about during your Prayer Timer this week!
Happy New Year, Everyone!
MFB
Sunday Commentary
Commentary on the Readings for Sunday – January 3, 2010
The Feast of the Epiphany
Sunday, January 3, the Church celebrates the Feast of Epiphany which represents the coming of God to earth in the form of Jesus Christ. In years past, this important feast was celebrated on January 6th regardless of what day of the week it fell. January 6th was the 12th Night of Christmas and, in some countries and cultures, it was the night when gifts where exchanged in remembrance of the Magi’s arrival and giving gifts to the newborn Christ Child. It was also the official end of the Christmas Season and a reason to celebrate all the joys and pleasures of Christmas.
Now the Church celebrates this Feast on the Sunday closest to January 6th so that it receives greater recognition than it would if celebrated on a weekday. All of these reasons for celebrating are good and of value, but we must keep with the true meaning of the Epiphany in mind. The word is from the ancient Greek meaning “manifestation” or “revealing” as in presenting oneself to the world. In this feast, we celebrate the coming of God into our world as Man and making Himself known through the angels, the shepherds, the Magi, the Apostles and finally through the Church, and though He came in this humble way of being born in a stable, He is still God.
The First Reading is from the Prophet Isaiah (60:1 – 6). In it we hear the prophet encouraging the people of Israel to rejoice and not be so sad because, if they are true to their Lord God then the Glory that used to be found in Jerusalem at the time of Solomon will return. The Church looks upon this passage as prophesy that has been fulfilled through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Just think of how this land (Israel) has been blessed by millions of people over the centuries coming to see where Christ was born, lived and died.
In the Responsorial Psalm (72:1 – 13), the psalmist picks up the same theme of celebrating the coming of the “King of kings and the Lord of lords.” Although he might not have realized it at the time, this Psalm fits the description of Jesus, the divine King of the Jews and of all mankind.
The Second Reading is taken from St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians (3:2 – 6). In chapter One of Ephesians, Paul gave us a brief glimpse of God’s Plan of Salvation (1:3 – 10). Here, he explains how he received this great insight and what it means for all who accept Christ and live by His teachings.
The Gospel Reading is from the Gospel of Matthew (2:2 – 12). In this passage we hear the familiar story of the three men, called Magi in Matthew’s gospel, but elsewhere they are called ”wise men” or “astrologers” and still in other places they are called ”kings.” It took faith and obedience to their inner conscience (the Holy Spirit ?) to travel to a distant land to worship and give gifts to the child who would be Lord and Savior. Let us not look so much at who or what these three men were, but rather, let us see what they did out of faith. During this holy season can we imitate the Magi by going out of our way to worship the Christ Child – the Babe of Bethlehem? Something to think about during your Prayer Timer this week!
Happy New Year, Everyone!
MFB