Daily Readings - Sun Jan 03 2021
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the universal call to encounter God’s light and the unity that this light brings to all people. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a vision of Jerusalem as a beacon of light to the nations. The prophet describes how people from all over the world will be drawn to this light, bringing gifts and praising God. This passage was originally addressed to the Israelites in exile, offering them hope that their suffering would one day give way to a time of restoration and glory. Isaiah’s words point to a future where God’s presence would not be confined to one place or people but would radiate outward to embrace all humanity.
The second reading from Ephesians builds on this theme by revealing that the mystery of God’s plan, once hidden, has now been made known through the Gospel. Paul emphasizes that Gentiles, non-Jews, are now co-heirs with the people of Israel, united in Christ. This was a revolutionary idea in Paul’s time, as it challenged the exclusivity of God’s covenant with Israel and opened salvation to all people. The reading reminds us that God’s plan is not limited by human boundaries but is universal in scope, inviting everyone to share in the promises of Christ.
In the Gospel, Matthew tells the story of the Magi, wise men from the East who followed a star to find the newborn King of the Jews. These Gentiles, guided by a celestial sign, recognized the significance of Jesus’ birth and brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Their journey symbolizes the search for truth and the universal attraction of God’s light. Herod’s reaction, on the other hand, represents the resistance to this light, highlighting the tension between those who seek to embrace God’s plan and those who try to control or suppress it.
These readings call us to reflect on how we respond to God’s light in our own lives. Like the Magi, we are invited to seek out the truth with humility and openness, even when it leads us to unexpected places. The readings also remind us of our responsibility to share this light with others, breaking down barriers and embracing the diversity of God’s creation. In a world often divided by fear and exclusion, we are called to be beacons of hope and unity, reflecting the universal love of God revealed in Christ. Let us strive to live in a way that welcomes all people into the radiance of God’s light, just as the Magi were drawn to the star that led them to Jesus.