Daily Readings - Sun Jan 03 2021
Isaiah
1"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.2See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you.3Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.4"Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm.5Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come.6Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the LORD.
Ephesians
2Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you,3that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.5which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.6This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
Matthew
1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem2and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.4When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.5"In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:6"'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"7Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
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.