"THE STAR AND THE WISE MEN"
First Reading: Isaiah 60: 1-6
Second Reading: Ephesians 3: 2-3, 5-4
Gospel Reading: Matthew 2: 1-12
* First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. After the Babylonian exile, People of Israel returned to their homeland and found Jerusalem in ruins. In this passage, Prophet Isaiah encourages the people with the vision of a restored city and God's glory shining on them. The Prophet promised them that , the scattered children of Israel will return to Jerusalem and multitudes of people will come there to worship the true God. They will come with gifts of gold and frankincense.
* Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Ephesians, In this passage, Apostle Paul reveals the truth that God invites everyone , both Jews and Gentiles to share on an equal footing , salvation brought by Christ. This invitation is for all people belonging to every tribe and tradition to accept the revelation of God's salvation.
" The Wise Men came to Worship Christ"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. In this passage, the evangelist narrates how wise men from the east came to pay homage to Christ - Child, while the Jewish leaders failed to acknowledge Him. In the Gospel narrative, the wise men from the east traveled from darkness into light. The sudden appearance of a bright star indicated the birth of a great leader. These men followed the star's course until they came to Judea and then went to Herod's palace where they expected the new born king.
But the wise men found instead, Herod who was wicked to the core and that he sought to kill the divine child. They went to Bethlehem and worshiped Him and offered gifts to the divine child. When these men left their gifts with the Child Jesus, they returned back with gifts : gift of knowing who Jesus is and they were enriched by their encounter with the divine.
These three wise men represent all those who journey in hope to Jesus and find in Him their heart's desire. Then they returned to their own country. Faith in Jesus is not to be limited to any geographical or cultural boundary but is a gift to be shared with others.
First Reading: Isaiah 60: 1-6
Second Reading: Ephesians 3: 2-3, 5-4
Gospel Reading: Matthew 2: 1-12
* First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. After the Babylonian exile, People of Israel returned to their homeland and found Jerusalem in ruins. In this passage, Prophet Isaiah encourages the people with the vision of a restored city and God's glory shining on them. The Prophet promised them that , the scattered children of Israel will return to Jerusalem and multitudes of people will come there to worship the true God. They will come with gifts of gold and frankincense.
* Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Ephesians, In this passage, Apostle Paul reveals the truth that God invites everyone , both Jews and Gentiles to share on an equal footing , salvation brought by Christ. This invitation is for all people belonging to every tribe and tradition to accept the revelation of God's salvation.
" The Wise Men came to Worship Christ"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. In this passage, the evangelist narrates how wise men from the east came to pay homage to Christ - Child, while the Jewish leaders failed to acknowledge Him. In the Gospel narrative, the wise men from the east traveled from darkness into light. The sudden appearance of a bright star indicated the birth of a great leader. These men followed the star's course until they came to Judea and then went to Herod's palace where they expected the new born king.
But the wise men found instead, Herod who was wicked to the core and that he sought to kill the divine child. They went to Bethlehem and worshiped Him and offered gifts to the divine child. When these men left their gifts with the Child Jesus, they returned back with gifts : gift of knowing who Jesus is and they were enriched by their encounter with the divine.
These three wise men represent all those who journey in hope to Jesus and find in Him their heart's desire. Then they returned to their own country. Faith in Jesus is not to be limited to any geographical or cultural boundary but is a gift to be shared with others.
1 comment:
"These three wise men represent all those who journey in hope to Jesus and find in Him their heart's desire".
These lines are so true Fr.Joy. Your reflections are very thought provoking.Happy New Year !
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