This Sunday's Mass Readings and Bible Study

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Fidelis

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January 2, 2005
The Epiphany of the Lord

Reading I
Is 60:1-6


Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come,
the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds cover the peoples;
but upon you the LORD shines,
and over you appears his glory.
Nations shall walk by your light,
and kings by your shining radiance.
Raise your eyes and look about;
they all gather and come to you:
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

Then you shall be radiant at what you see,
your heart shall throb and overflow,
for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,
the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.
Caravans of camels shall fill you,
dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;
all from Sheba shall come
bearing gold and frankincense,
and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

**Responsorial Psalm
Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13

Reading II
Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6**

Brothers and sisters:
You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace
that was given to me for your benefit,
namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation.
It was not made known to people in other generations
as it has now been revealed
to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:
that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body,
and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Gospel
Mt 2:1-12


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.
 
** LITURGICAL BIBLE STUDY
The Epiphany of the Lord – Cycle ABC**

Opening prayer

Isaiah 60:1-6
(Psalm 72:1-2,7-8,10-13)
Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
Matthew 2:1-12


Overview of the Gospel:
· The word “Epiphany” means an appearance, especially of a king or other important person. The Feast of the Epiphany marks the appearance of the Messiah to the Gentiles (non-Jews) represented by the Magi. It is also celebrated as the 12th day of Christmas, marking the beginning of the liturgical Ordinary time.
· The Magi, astrologers or sages from the east, come to Jerusalem seeking “the newborn king of the Jews” after seeing “his star at its rising” (v. 2).
· Herod, the reigning king of Judea, was a paranoid and violent ruler who was known to put to death any and all threats to his throne (including several wives and children). He pretends to help the Magi as a means to destroy this new rival.
· Despite Herod’s schemes, the Magi are able to find and worship the newborn King in safety, though Herod’s fury later will have tragic results (see Mt 2:13-18).

Questions:
· Why was it important for Jesus to be born in the city of David, Bethlehem, a name which means “house of bread” (v. 4-6; Micah 5:1-3; 2 Samuel 5:2)?
· What do the star, the Magi, the gifts, the homage, the hostility and the prophecy teach about the significance of Jesus?
· Since the Magi were pagan astrologers, why would they leave everything to follow that star? In your journey toward God, how are you like the Magi? Unlike them? Have you had to leave anything to follow Jesus?
· Note the responses of the Magi upon finding Jesus. How are they similar to the response that Christians make to Jesus, including before the Blessed Sacrament?
· What is the “gold, frankincense, and myrrh” in your life? How have you offered this to Jesus?

Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 528, 486, 724

Closing prayer

**Remember to read and meditate on the daily Mass readings **

*Like the Magi, we have discovered a star—a light and guide in the sky of our soul. “We have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him.” We have had the same experience. We too noticed a new light shining in our soul and growing increasingly brighter. It was a desire to live a fully Christian life, a keenness to take God seriously. * St. Josemaria Escriva
 
the question about why would they chase a star? I think that just because they were pagan didnt mean that they didnt believe in anything? maybe a star appearing to them was like an angel appearing to us. maybe the trip wasnt so bad because they had the money/time to do it.
 
Catholic Dude:
the question about why would they chase a star? I think that just because they were pagan didnt mean that they didnt believe in anything? maybe a star appearing to them was like an angel appearing to us. maybe the trip wasnt so bad because they had the money/time to do it.
That was probably true; they probably recognized the star as a portent of something important happening, like the birth of an important king. But what was their *personal * motivation for following? Idle curiosity? Monetary gain? Something else?
 
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