Daily Readings - Sun Jan 07 2024

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

Chapter 3

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

Chapter 2

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

In today's readings, we journey through themes of light, revelation, and the universal embrace of God's plan. Isaiah paints a vivid picture of Jerusalem as a beacon of light, where nations gather, bringing gifts and glory. This prophecy speaks to a time of restoration and hope, where God's light transcends borders, inviting all to partake in His radiance. Ephesians unfolds this mystery further, revealing that the Gospel was always intended for the Gentiles, making them co-heirs with the Jews in God's promise. This epistle emphasizes the unity and inclusion that Christ brings, breaking down walls between peoples. In Matthew, we see this prophecy and mystery fulfilled as the Magi, representing the Gentiles, follow the star to Bethlehem, bearing gifts for the newborn King. Their journey symbolizes the universal call to recognize and adore Christ, despite the darkness of Herod's opposition. These readings are deeply interconnected, each shedding light on the others. Isaiah's vision of nations streaming to Jerusalem finds its fulfillment in the Magi's visit, while Ephesians explains the theological underpinning of this inclusion. Together, they reveal God's plan for a world united in His light. The Magi's trust in the star and their perseverance despite obstacles remind us to trust in God's guidance and to seek Him with openness and faith. Their encounter with Herod also warns us of the dangers of pride and the desire for power, urging us to approach God with humility and reverence. In our daily lives, we are called to be like the Magi, seeking God with open hearts and minds. We are invited to embrace the diversity of God's family, recognizing that His plan includes people from all walks of life. Let us, like the Magi, bring our own gifts—our talents, resources, and love—to worship and serve Him. May we also learn to trust in God's providence, even when the path is uncertain, and to avoid the pitfalls of pride and self-reliance. As we reflect on these readings, may we be illuminated by God's light and guided by His star, leading us ever closer to Him and to one another.