Daily Readings - Sun Jan 08 2023
Isaiah
1Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.2For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.3And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.4Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.5Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.6The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.
Ephesians
2If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:3How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,5Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;6That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Matthew
1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.3When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.4And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.5And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,6And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.7Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.9When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.11And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.12And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through prophecy, revelation, and fulfillment, all centered on the universal call to worship and embrace the light of Christ. Isaiah paints a vivid picture of Jerusalem rising in glory, attracting nations to her light, with gifts symbolizing worship and devotion. This prophecy is not just about a place but about a people—God's people, both Jews and Gentiles. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, reveals the mystery of the Gospel: that through Christ, Gentiles are co-heirs, united in one body. This mystery, once hidden, is now unveiled, emphasizing the inclusivity of God's plan. The Gospel narrative of the Magi, wise men from the East, brings this prophecy and mystery to life. They follow a star, guided by faith and curiosity, to worship the newborn King, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Their journey symbolizes the universal draw of Christ's light, transcending borders and backgrounds.
The connection between these readings is profound. Isaiah's prophecy and Paul's revelation find their fulfillment in the Magi's visit. The light of Christ, once thought to be for the Jews alone, is revealed to all nations. The Magi, as Gentiles, embody this inclusion, showing that the Gospel is for everyone. Their willingness to seek and worship Jesus, despite the challenges, illustrates the transformative power of faith. Paul's role as a steward of this mystery highlights the responsibility to share this inclusive message with the world.
In our daily lives, we are called to emulate the Magi's openness and perseverance. Like them, we must seek Jesus with determination, guided by faith even when the path is uncertain. The readings remind us to embrace diversity and inclusion, recognizing that the light of Christ is for all people. We are to be like the star, shining brightly to guide others to Him. Trusting in God's guidance, as the Magi did, we navigate life's challenges with courage and hope, always remembering that the Gospel's message is universal.
The moral lesson here is clear: the light of Christ is not confined but is meant to illuminate all nations. We are called to be part of this illumination, welcoming others into the body of Christ. Let us, like the Magi, approach worship with humility and generosity, and like Paul, be steadfast in sharing the Gospel's inclusive message. May we trust in God's plan, even when it seems mysterious, and may His light guide us to be instruments of unity and love in a diverse world.