Archive for January 4, 2014

January 5th 2014 – Feast of Epiphany

Posted: January 4, 2014 by CatholicJules in Sunday Reflections
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Sunday Bible Reflections with Dr. Scott Hahn

January 5th 2014 – Feast of Epiphany

A King to Behold
Readings:
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:-12,7-8, 10-13
Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6
Matthew 2:1-12

An “epiphany” is an appearance. In today’s readings, with their rising stars, splendorous lights and mysteries revealed, the face of the child born on Christmas day appears.

Herod, in today’s Gospel, asks the chief priests and scribes where the Messiah is to be born. The answer Matthew puts on their lips says much more, combining two strands of Old Testament promise – one revealing the Messiah to be from the line of David (see 2 Samuel 2:5), the other predicting “a ruler of Israel” who will “shepherd his flock” and whose “greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth” (see Micah 5:1-3).

Those promises of Israel’s king ruling the nations resound also in today’s Psalm. The psalm celebrates David’s son, Solomon. His kingdom, we sing, will stretch “to the ends of the earth,” and the world’s kings will pay Him homage. That’s the scene too in today’s First Reading, as nations stream from the East, bearing “gold and frankincense” for Israel’s king.

The Magi’s pilgrimage in today’s Gospel marks the fulfillment of God’s promises. The Magi, probably Persian astrologers, are following the star that Balaam predicted would rise along with the ruler’s staff over the house of Jacob (see Numbers 24:17).

Laden with gold and spices, their journey evokes those made to Solomon by the Queen of Sheba and the “kings of the earth” (see 1 Kings 10:2,25; 2 Chronicles 9:24). Interestingly, the only other places where frankincense and myrrh are mentioned together are in songs about Solomon (see Song of Songs 3:6, 4:6,14).

One greater than Solomon is here (see Luke 11:31). He has come to reveal that all peoples are “co-heirs” of the royal family of Israel, as today’s Epistle teaches.

His manifestation forces us to choose: Will we follow the signs that lead to Him as the wise Magi did? Or will we be like those priests and the scribes who let God’s words of promise become dead letters on an ancient page?

 

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: January 4, 2014 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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O how difficult it is to live a righteous and loving life especially when tries to do so without God. For it is only through Jesus that we are able to do so.

Life without God is often a battle of Wills! Children against parents and vice versa, between family members, bosses and staff, co-workers, friends, church members, people we interect with. It all comes down to win or lose and we don’t like to lose. But the real question is who truly wins in the end?

Jesus never imposes His Will upon us, instead He warmly invites us to “Come and see…” Come and see how wonderful life is with Him in it. How peaceful and joyful, even when we carry our cross to follow Him. How we can lead fruitful lives in holiness, righteousness and love. How we can be transformed by Him, to be more and to do more. Let us rejoice as we say “Yes Lord, here I stand ready to follow You..” Amen

FIRST READING
John 3:7–10

GOSPEL
John 1:35–42

John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples he what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah,” which is translated Christ. Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas,” which is translated Peter.