Today the Church celebrates the Epiphany of the Lord. The assigned readings are Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; and Matthew 2:1-12. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 72 (72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13).
The Gospel reading is as follows:
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.
Monsignor Charles Pope has a thoughtful reflection on the Epiphany - a reflection in which he strives to follow these wise men in their journey of faith:
Msgr. Charles Pope: Walking with the Wise Men: A Meditation on the Feast of Epiphany (1 JAN 11)
Father John Foley, S.J., (of the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University) has an interesting reflection on Christ as the Light of the world:
Fr. John Foley, S. J.: Light to the Nations
Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio writes about the meaning of the term epiphany and explains why the Magi are found in every nativity scene.
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