Daily Readings - Sun Jan 07 2018

First Reading - Isaiah 60.1-6

¹Rise up to be illuminated, O Jerusalem! For your light has arrived, and the glory of the Lord has risen over you²For behold, darkness will cover the earth, and thick darkness will cover the peoples. Then the Lord will rise above you, and his glory will be seen in you³And the nations will walk in your light, and the kings will walk by the splendor of your rising⁴Lift up your eyes all around and see! All these have been gathered together; they have arrived before you. Your sons will arrive from far away, and your daughters will rise up from your side⁵Then you will see, and you will overflow, and your heart will be amazed and expanded. When the multitude of the sea will have been converted to you, the strength of the nations will approach you⁶A multitude of camels will inundate you: the dromedaries from Midian and Ephah. All those from Sheba will arrive, carrying gold and frankincense, and announcing praise to the Lord

Second Reading - Ephesians 3.2-3a, 5-6

Ephesians

Chapter 3

²Now certainly, you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which has been given to me among you³that, by means of revelation, the mystery was made known to me, just as I have written above in a few words⁵In other generations, this was unknown to the sons of men, even as it has now been revealed to his holy Apostles and Prophets in the Spirit⁶so that the Gentiles would be co-heirs, and of the same body, and partners together, by his promise in Christ Jesus, through the Gospel

Gospel - Matthew 2.1-12

Matthew

Chapter 2

¹And so, when Jesus had been born in Bethlehem of Judah, in the days of king Herod, behold, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem²saying: "Where is he who was born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and we have come to adore him.³Now king Herod, hearing this, was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him⁴And gathering together all the leaders of the priests, and the scribes of the people, he consulted with them as to where the Christ would be born⁵And they said to him: "In Bethlehem of Judea. For so it has been written by the prophet⁶‘And you, Bethlehem, the land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah. For from you shall go forth the ruler who shall guide my people Israel.’ ⁷Then Herod, quietly calling the Magi, diligently learned from them the time when the star appeared to them⁸And sending them into Bethlehem, he said: "Go and diligently ask questions about the boy. And when you have found him, report back to me, so that I, too, may come and adore him.⁹And when they had heard the king, they went away. And behold, the star that they had seen in the east went before them, even until, arriving, it stood still above the place where the child was¹⁰Then, seeing the star, they were gladdened by a very great joy¹¹And entering the home, they found the boy with his mother Mary. And so, falling prostrate, they adored him. And opening their treasures, they offered him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh¹²And having received a response in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back by another way to their own region

Sermon

The readings today weave together a narrative of light, prophecy, and inclusion, inviting us to reflect on God's universal plan. Isaiah's prophecy in the first reading paints a vivid picture of Jerusalem illuminated by God's glory, attracting nations to its light. This vision is fulfilled in the Gospel as the Magi, Gentile wise men, follow a star to Bethlehem, recognizing Jesus as the King. Their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh symbolize homage to a ruler, highlighting Jesus' universal sovereignty. Paul's letter to the Ephesians bridges these narratives, explaining that the Gospel reveals the mystery of Gentiles as co-heirs with Jews in Christ, emphasizing unity and the body of Christ. The context of these readings reveals a divine plan where light transcends borders. Isaiah's words, spoken to a people in exile, offer hope of restoration and universal recognition of God's presence. The Magi's journey from the East embodies this hope, as they seek the Messiah guided by a star. Paul's epistle underscores that this inclusion was part of God's plan, revealed through the Gospel, breaking down walls between Jews and Gentiles. In our daily lives, these readings call us to embrace our role as bearers of God's light. Just as the Magi were open to guidance from a star, we must remain open to the Holy Spirit's leading. We are to welcome others into our communities, reflecting the unity Christ established. The moral lesson is clear: God's plan is one of inclusion and light for all nations. As we navigate our world, may we, like the Magi, seek Jesus with reverence and generosity, living as agents of unity and light in a diverse world.