Daily Readings - Sun Jan 02 2022
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 recognize and follow the light of God, which shines brightly in the person of Jesus Christ. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a prophetic vision of Jerusalem as a beacon of light, drawing nations and kings to its radiance. This light is not just for the chosen people but for all humanity, as the prophet declares that the glory of the Lord will be seen in Jerusalem and that people from far and wide will be drawn to it. This passage sets the stage for the Gospel, where we see the fulfillment of this prophecy in the visit of the Magi, wise men from the East who follow a star to find the newborn King of the Jews.
The second reading from Ephesians deepens our understanding of this universal plan of salvation. Paul speaks of the mystery of God’s grace, which has been revealed in Christ Jesus. This mystery is that Gentiles—people from all nations—are now co-heirs with the Jewish people, united in the same body of Christ, and sharers in the promise of eternal life. This reading reminds us that the Good News of salvation is not limited to one group but is intended for all people. The Magi in today’s Gospel exemplify this truth. They are not Jews, yet they recognize the significance of the star and journey to Bethlehem to adore the newborn King, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Their actions show that the light of Christ transcends cultural and religious boundaries, calling all people to worship and follow Him.
As we reflect on these readings, we are challenged to live as children of light, recognizing that God’s plan of salvation is universal. Like the Magi, we are called to seek Christ with open hearts and minds, even when the journey is long or uncertain. We are also reminded to embrace the diversity of God’s people, welcoming others into the body of Christ without discrimination or exclusion. In our daily lives, this means living with humility, generosity, and a willingness to step out of our comfort zones to follow the light of Christ. May we, like the Magi, find joy in worshiping the Lord and may our lives reflect the light of His presence to a world in need of hope and guidance.