Epiphany of the Lord January 6, 2019

First Reading
Isaiah 60:1-6
Jerusalem shall be a light to all nations.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 72:1-2,7-8,10-11,12-13
Every nation on earth shall worship the Lord.

Second Reading
Ephesians 3:2-3a,5-6
Gentiles are coheirs in the promise of Christ.

Gospel Reading
Matthew 2:1-12
The Magi seek out Jesus and do him homage.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
in the days of King Herod,
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
"Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage."
When King Herod heard this,
he was greatly troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,
He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea,
for thus it has been written through the prophet:
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
since from you shall come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my people Israel."
Then Herod called the magi secretly
and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said,
"Go and search diligently for the child.
When you have found him, bring me word,
that I too may go and do him homage."
After their audience with the king they set out.
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star,
and on entering the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
Then they opened their treasures
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they departed for their country by another way.


Background on the Gospel Reading

The visit of the Magi occurs directly before the story of the Holy
Family’s flight into Egypt. Matthew’s Gospel tells a version of Jesus’
birth that is different than the one in Luke. Of the actual birth of
Jesus, Matthew tells us little more than, “When Jesus was born in
Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod . . . ” The story of the
census is found only in Luke’s Gospel, but we hear about the visit of the
Magi only in Matthew’s Gospel.

We know little about the Magi. They come from the East and journey to
Bethlehem, following an astrological sign, so we believe them to be
astrologers. We assume that there were three Magi based upon the naming of
their three gifts. The Gospel does not say how many Magi paid homage to
Jesus. In Matthew’s Gospel, they represent the Gentiles’ search for a
savior. Because the Magi represent the entire world, they also represent
our search for Jesus.

We have come to consider the gifts they bring as a foreshadowing of Jesus’
role in salvation. We believe the meaning of the gifts to be
Christological. Gold is presented as representative of Jesus’ kingship.
Frankincense is a symbol of his divinity because priests burned the
substance in the Temple. Myrrh, which was used to prepare the dead for
burial, is offered in anticipation of Jesus’ death.

The word Epiphany means “manifestation” or “showing forth.” Historically
several moments in Christ’s early life and ministry have been celebrated
as “epiphanies,” including his birth in Bethlehem, the visit of the Magi,
his baptism by John, and his first miracle at Cana.


Family Connection

The tradition of giving gifts at Christmas is thought by some to be rooted
in the gift giving of the Magi. In many cultures, gifts are not exchanged
at Christmas, but rather on the feast of the Epiphany. Whenever you
exchange your Christmas gifts, take some time to reflect on this tradition
of gift giving at Christmas. Think of the best gift you have received.
What was it? What made it special? Was it the gift itself, the thought
that went into it, or the person who gave it to you?

Read today’s Gospel, Matthew 2:1-12. The gifts of the Magi—gold,
frankincense, and myrrh—have come to be understood as symbols of Christ’s
royalty, divinity, and eventual suffering and death. They are special
because in giving them, the Magi acknowledge who Jesus was to be: our
Savior. We pray that we will acknowledge Jesus as Savior in all that we do
and say. Conclude by singing together “We Three Kings.”


Sources: Loyola Press; Sunday Readings