Daily Readings - Sun Jan 05 2020
Isaiah
1Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.2For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.3And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.4Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.5Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.6A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the LORD.
Ephesians
2assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you,3how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.5which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.6This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Matthew
1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,2saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."3When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;4and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.5They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:6"'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'"7Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.8And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him."9After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.10When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.11And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.12And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter a powerful narrative of light, prophecy, and the universal embrace of God's love. The first reading from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of Jerusalem rising in the light of the Lord, with nations drawn to this radiance, bearing gifts of gold and frankincense. This prophecy speaks of a time when God's glory would extend beyond Israel, reaching all people.
The second reading from Ephesians reveals the mystery of this inclusion, as Paul explains that through Christ, Gentiles are now co-heirs of God's promise. This was a profound revelation, emphasizing that God's plan is not limited to one people but encompasses all humanity. The Gospel from Matthew brings this prophecy and revelation to life through the Magi, Gentile wise men who, guided by a star, seek out the newborn King. Their journey, despite the deceit of Herod, culminates in worship and the offering of gifts, symbolizing the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy and the reality of Paul's revelation.
As we reflect on these readings, we are reminded that God's light is not confined to any one group but shines for all. In our daily lives, this calls us to embrace diversity and welcome others with openness and love. Just as the Magi followed the star with perseverance and faith, we too are called to seek out the light of Christ in every person we meet. Let us strive to be beacons of this light, reflecting God's universal love and fostering unity in our fragmented world. May we, like the Magi, find joy in worshiping the Christ who unites us all.