1ST READING
This
text comes from the third part of the Prophet Isaiah’s writings. It is
often disputed whether he actually wrote it or not, but that need not
concern us here. Israel is promised that it will become a shining light
for the world and all eyes will be turned towards it in the future. As
Christians, we believe the shining light is not Judaism but Jesus
Himself, a Jew by birth, but with a far greater destiny than just to
influence the Jewish people. Let us never forget that, as followers of
Christ, His legacy is our responsibility. We are to become the new light
to the world.
Isaiah 60:1-6
1 Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. 2 See,
darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon
you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory. 3 Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. 4 Raise your eyes and
look about; they all gather and come to you. Your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. 5 Then
you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and
overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the
wealth of nations shall be brought to you. 6 Caravans
of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from
Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the
praises of the Lord.
P S A L M
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13
R: Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
1 O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king’s son; 2 he shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment. (R) 7 Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more. 8 May
he rule from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. (R) 10 The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts; the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute. 11 All kings shall pay him homage, all nations shall serve him. (R) 12 For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. 13
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save. (R)
2ND READING
I
like the sense of mystery that surrounds any talk of the Gospel. Why?
Because it reminds me that the answers to the questions in life are
never simple, and rarely in the form of black or white. Life will always
be a mystery as we are all individuals, thus making it impossible to
have a “one-size-fitsall” mentality. Life is never simple and always
requires treating each person as unique, and tailoring an answer to his
or her set of questions, rather than assuming there is a universal
solution for everyone.
Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6
2 Brothers and sisters: You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit, 3 namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. 5 It
was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been
revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, 6 that
the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
GOSPEL
The
Epiphany is an opportunity to reflect on how we experience the presence
of Jesus in our lives. Everyone experiences His presence in different
ways, so there is no single or limited number of ways to feel His love.
Anyone who honestly seeks Jesus will experience Him one way or another.
This is the promise of God – seek and you will find. Let us never tire
in looking for the ways Jesus is present to us.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.
Matthew 2:1-12
1 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: 6 ‘And
you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers
of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my
people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of
the star’s appearance. 8 He
sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the
child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I, too, may go and
do him homage.” 9 After
their audience with the king, they set out. And behold, the star that
they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped
over the place where the child was. 10 They were overjoyed at seeing the star, 11
and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him
homage.
Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold,
frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to
return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.
think: Never tire in looking for the ways Jesus is present in your life.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ___________________________
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God’s special verse/thought for me today_________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR John 16-18
SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
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SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
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HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
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