The Epiphany of the Lord

Mass Readings

• First Reading Isaiah 60:1-6
• Responsorial Psalm Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13
• Second Reading Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
• Gospel Matthew 2:1-12

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Step Into the Story

Isaiah 60 was written for a ruined city. The exiles had begun coming home from Babylon after 538 B.C. to find Jerusalem a heap of rubble, and the prophet told them to rise and shine anyway: camels from Midian and Sheba would come bearing gold and frankincense. Matthew’s Magi likely came from Persia or Babylon, where magi were a priestly caste and court astronomers kept careful records of the night sky.

1. c. 538 B.C.Exiles return from Babylon
2. 40 B.C.The Senate makes Herod king
3. c. 20 B.C.Herod begins the Temple
4. 7 B.C.Herod executes two sons
5. This week’s scene: c. 5 B.C.The Magi reach Jerusalem

Enter Jerusalem with them, probably around 5 B.C., the reign of Herod the Great. Above the western wall rise his palace and its three great towers, named for a brother, a friend and the wife he had executed. Herod has held the title “king of the Jews” since the Roman Senate granted it in 40 B.C., and he has had two of his own sons strangled. Augustus reportedly quipped that it was safer to be Herod’s pig than his son. Now hear the strangers ask, aloud, where the newborn king of the Jews might be.

Ride out with them on the six miles south to Bethlehem. Smell the camels and the resin of frankincense and myrrh packed in the baggage. Look up: the star they saw at its rising goes before them and stops over a house. Matthew never says there were three. Step inside behind them, and kneel where they kneel.

Encounter the Lord

Walk with the Magi. They have left home, crossed a desert, and followed a light they did not fully understand. In Jerusalem the experts know exactly where the Messiah is to be born, but they do not take the short walk to Bethlehem. The foreigners do.

When the Magi finally see the Child with Mary His mother, they fall down and worship Him. They came looking for a king and found God made small. Christ came for every nation and every person, including those who seem far away. He also came for you, wherever you are starting from. What He asks is that you keep seeking and, when you find Him, worship.

The Magi went home by another way. This week, choose one concrete change, a new route through your day, so that meeting Christ makes a difference. Bless your home this week with chalk if your parish provides it.

Know Your Faith

The Epiphany

The Epiphany is the manifestation of Jesus as Messiah of Israel, Son of God and Savior of the world. In the Magi, the Gospel sees the first of the nations who welcome the good news of salvation (CCC 528).

Christ, the Light of the Nations

The Magi could find Jesus only by turning to the Jews and receiving the promise contained in the Old Testament (CCC 528). Christ is the light of humanity, and the Church has no light except His (CCC 748).

The Church for All Peoples

The Church is catholic because Christ sent her to the whole human race: all people are called to belong to the new People of God (CCC 831). She is the sign and instrument of communion with God and of unity among all people (CCC 775).

Seeking and Adoring

Like the Magi, every person is called to seek God and adore Him (CCC 2096-2097). Adoration acknowledges God as Creator and Savior, and it frees us from turning in on ourselves.