The Epiphany of the Lord

Lectionary: 20

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.

R. (cf. 11)  Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king’s son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts;
the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute.
All kings shall pay him homage,
all nations shall serve him.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

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.

Alleluia

Mt 2:2

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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.

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

It is befitting that this morning the first snow of the season fell and the landscape is blanketed in a wonderful cleansing white. The words of Isaiah come to mind, “Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow.” It is through Jesus Christ and a loving relationship with God that this is achieved. The Epiphany is a reminder that Jesus came into this world, the Word becoming Flesh, for the salvation of all peoples and all of God’s creation. No one is excluded from this wonderous gift. Each of us, created in God’s image, are invited to come forward and claim our birthright as God’s Children and accept what is being offered. Just as we celebrated Christ’s birth previously, we now continue the celebration by focusing on us becoming part of the story. Just as the magi came to adore Jesus and pay Him homage, we too are invited to come forward to adore Him and pay Him homage. And how do we do this? We do this by focusing our thoughts and actions on the things that are truly important in life: things that will reveal Jesus Christ to the world. It is through us that Jesus Christ can be realized while our own salvation is being achieved. Every interaction that we have then becomes an Epiphany of sorts when Jesus is at the center of it.

There are four great mysteries that are revealed today, and each serve as a window into the mystical workings of the Church. Christ’s Birth and the beginning of our salvation story are followed by the Baptism of the Lord and the Wedding at Cana. It is through Christ’s Baptism that you have the full revelation of the Trinity and it is through Cana that you have the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. Turning water into wine, Jesus was giving an early indication regarding how it would be through Him and the shedding of His blood that we would be saved, and our sins would be forgiven. It can also be observed that the wedding feast became Jesus’ wedding to His Church and therefore he became the bridegroom through the miracle of the wine. John the Baptist was performing a baptism of repentance, and Jesus received the baptism so as to serve as an example for us to follow: it is through repentance and a transformative experience that Jesus is revealed to us and the Kingdom of God is realized. This kingdom is then experienced through a relationship with Jesus that is built upon the understanding of the Paschal Mystery:

God sent His only begotten Son into this world to suffer, die, and be resurrected so that we may receive eternal life.

Meditating on these mysteries can have an impactful effect on our faith-life. We can be strengthened by the knowledge that we have an opportunity to enter a very intimate relationship with Jesus, emboldened with the understanding that He came into this world for us. To suffer for us. To die for us. It is through Jesus that we come to know the Father, while being encouraged by the Holy Spirit. It is through repentance that we can deepen this relationship and experience the love of God It is through the Holy Mother Church that we receive the precious gifts of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ that unites ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually with Him. The more we think about our faith, the more we will act on our faith. Our faith will then become stronger as a result and our relationship with God will deepen. Just as the snow blankets the ground today, so can our hearts be blanketed with the presence of God in our lives will the expected effects as revealed through the mysteries celebrated today in The Epiphany.

 

Deacon Tom

 

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Lectionary: 17

Reading I

Sir 3:2-6, 12-14

God sets a father in honor over his children;
    a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.
Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
    and preserves himself from them.
When he prays, he is heard;
    he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,
    and, when he prays, is heard.
Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;
    he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.

My son, take care of your father when he is old;
    grieve him not as long as he lives.
Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;
    revile him not all the days of his life;
kindness to a father will not be forgotten,
    firmly planted against the debt of your sins
    —a house raised in justice to you.

OR:

Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3

The word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying:
“Fear not, Abram!
I am your shield;
I will make your reward very great.”
But Abram said,
“O Lord GOD, what good will your gifts be,
if I keep on being childless
and have as my heir the steward of my house, Eliezer?”
Abram continued,
“See, you have given me no offspring,
and so one of my servants will be my heir.”
Then the word of the LORD came to him:
“No, that one shall not be your heir;
your own issue shall be your heir.”
The Lord took Abram outside and said,
“Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can.
Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.”
Abram put his faith in the LORD,
who credited it to him as an act of righteousness.

The LORD took note of Sarah as he had said he would;
he did for her as he had promised.
Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age,
at the set time that God had stated.
Abraham gave the name Isaac to this son of his
whom Sarah bore him.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5.

R. (cf. 1)  Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
   who walks in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
   blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
   in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
   around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
   who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
   may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
   all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

OR:

Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

R. (7a , 8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength;
constantly seek his face.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations
which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

Reading II

Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17

Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another, 
if one has a grievance against another; 
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love, 
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, 
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, 
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, 
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs 
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed, 
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, 
giving thanks to God the Father through him.  

Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, 
as is proper in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives, 
and avoid any bitterness toward them.
Children, obey your parents in everything, 
for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not provoke your children, 
so they may not become discouraged.

OR:

Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another, 
if one has a grievance against another; 
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love, 
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, 
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, 
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, 
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs 
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed, 
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, 
giving thanks to God the Father through him.  

OR:

Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19

Brothers and sisters:
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place
that he was to receive as an inheritance;
he went out, not knowing where he was to go.
By faith he received power to generate,
even though he was past the normal age
--and Sarah herself was sterile--
for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy.
So it was that there came forth from one man,
himself as good as dead,
descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky
and as countless as the sands on the seashore.

By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, 
and he who had received the promises was ready to offer
his only son,
of whom it was said,
“Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.”
He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead,
and he received Isaac back as a symbol.

Alleluia

Col 3:15a, 16a

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let the peace of Christ control your hearts;
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

OR:

Heb 1:1-2

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

LK 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification 
according to the law of Moses, 
They took him up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord, 
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, 
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, 
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel, 
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit 
that he should not see death 
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple; 
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus 
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, 
He took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; 
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 
“Behold, this child is destined 
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted 
—and you yourself a sword will pierce— 
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna, 
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years, 
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, 
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple, 
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time, 
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child 
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. 

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee,
to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; 
and the favor of God was upon him.

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

 

Our Christmas celebration continues with the Feast of the Holy Family. It is through the relationship of the Holy Family that we receive a model of conduct that will bring us into that relationship and will also lead us into a deeper relationship with the Trinity. Inside every family, each person has a specific role that is assigned them through Natural Law and through the expectations put forward by society. These roles have been well-defined and have never really changed throughout the existence of humanity. Even though there have been attempts to redefine or minimize these in some way, their importance has been realized all the more as a result. The father and husband remain the protector, provider, and disciplinarian. The mother and wife remain the nurturer, care-giver, and lover. The children remain the receiver of all the values, lessons, and traditions that are passed down to them. They are also the ones who represent the perfection of love within a marriage, where the two flesh become one and life is created as a result. Just as Jesus Christ was perfect, so the Holy Family represented something perfect in the relationship that was established between the three: Joseph, Mary, and Jesus.

 

The expectations of Joseph cannot be minimized. He was told to take Mary as his wife and raise Jesus as his own. He did not hesitate to fulfill these responsibilities, nor did he shy away from them when things became challenging. Journeying to Bethlehem for the census, he then remained to build a new life for his family, choosing not to go back to Nazareth and to presumably avoid scandal. When the life of Jesus was threatened, he then abandoned his home and fled to Egypt where he again created a new life for his young family. In all instances, he put his family first above and beyond his own needs, wants, and desires. Mary, fifteen years old at the time, accepted her responsibility as the Mother of God, and was obedient to her husband also. She trusted him and she also trusted in God. Jesus for His part remained obedient to his parents even though His authority surpassed theirs. It is through the fulfillment of these roles that there was peace, security, and love.

 

When we all recognize our own roles within our family and try to fulfill the expectations thereof, only good things result. The Apostle Paul mentions in his letter to the Ephesians that, “Honor your father and mother” is the first commandment to carry a promise with it — “that it may go well with you, and that you may have long life on the earth.” In other words, when our assigned roles within the family are executed, God is pleased and things are as they should be. Just as it was in the Holy Family, it can be in our lives when we set aside our prejudices, resentments, and anger to

strive for the vision of perfection within the Holy Family and to attempt to fulfill our expected roles within the family. Yes, this can be challenging at times, but nothing worthwhile is easy. There are also things that might be beyond our control. How can we fulfill our expected roles when possibly other members within a family did not fulfill their own? In reality, all will have to answer for their short-comings and the conduct of others should not excuse the things that we should be doing. In the end, each person will have to answer for their own conduct. There will be less tumult within our own lives if we focus on conducting ourselves rightly instead of pointing at the faults of other people. As Paul explained, “Observe that no one ever hates his own flesh; no, he nourishes it and takes care of it as Christ cares for the church—for we are members of his body.” Just as the Living Body of Jesus Christ functions with all of the successes and failures of those within, so too can a family function regardless of its disfunction, as long as there are those within willing to make the effort.

 

Within our own families, we can either be examples of Christ or a causation of division. We can either end suffering or perpetuate that same suffering. As Christians, we should be healers not harm-bringers. We should be uniters and not dividers. We should be instruments of peace and love. This is also true regarding our church community and in all of our relationships. Jesus Christ must be realized in all things. This starts within our households and extends forth through all of our relationships. As the Book of Sirach says,

 

“God sets a father in honor over his children;

    a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.

Whoever honors his father atones for sins,

    and preserves himself from thef m.

When he prays, he is heard;

    he stores up riches who reveres his mother.

 

We should honor God and honor ourselves through our conduct and the fulfilling of the expectation our Father and our God.

 

Deacon Tom