Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 3, 2021
First Reading: Isaiah 60.1-6
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.
Psalm 72
1Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son!2May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice!3Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness!4May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!5May they fear you while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!6May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth!7In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!8May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth!9May desert tribes bow down before him and his enemies lick the dust!10May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!11May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!12For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.13He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.14From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.15Long may he live; may gold of Sheba be given to him! May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all the day!16May there be abundance of grain in the land; on the tops of the mountains may it wave; may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may people blossom in the cities like the grass of the field!17May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!18Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.19Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!20The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.
Second Reading: Ephesians 3.2-3a, 5-6
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.
Gospel: Matthew 2.1-12
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.