First Reading
Isaiah 60:1-6
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes round about, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far, and your daughters shall be carried in the arms. Then you shall see and be radiant, your heart shall thrill and rejoice; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Mid’ian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13
A Psalm of Solomon. Give the king thy justice, O God, and thy righteousness to the royal son! May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth! In his days may righteousness flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more! May his foes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust! May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him! For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.
Second Reading
Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6
assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Gospel
Matthew 2:1-12
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: `And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Reflection:
The gospel invites us to reflect on our own journey of faith. Just as the Magi embarked on a journey, guided by the star to find Jesus, we are reminded to embark on our spiritual journey with the same sense of purpose and dedication. It calls us to seek out Christ in our lives actively, recognizing that our journey may be filled with challenges, uncertainties, and unexpected turns. The Magi’s determination and persistence inspire us to remain steadfast in our quest for a deeper connection with God.
The ways we seek and recognize divine guidance are crucial elements of our faith journey. The Magi followed the star, a divine sign that led them to Jesus. Similarly, we must be attentive to the signs and guidance God provides in our lives. This could be through prayer, scripture, the counsel of trusted spiritual advisors, or the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit. Recognizing these divine signs requires a heart that is open and responsive to God’s leading.
Responding to the presence of Christ in our lives involves worship and offering our best to God, as demonstrated by the Magi, who brought valuable gifts to Jesus. This symbolizes our call to give our very best to God—not just in terms of material offerings, but in our time, talents, and devotion. It’s about prioritizing our relationship with God and ensuring that our actions reflect our love and reverence for Him.
Trusting in His guidance means having faith that God’s plan is perfect, even when we don’t fully understand it. The Magi trusted the guidance of the star and the warnings they received in dreams. In our lives, we are called to trust that God is leading us on the right path, even when it’s not clear or easy. This trust is foundational to our spiritual journey, helping us to navigate challenges with confidence in God’s provision and care.
Remaining vigilant against distractions and fears that may lead us astray is a crucial aspect of our faith. Just as Herod sought to deceive the Magi, there are many distractions and temptations that can divert us from our spiritual path. We are challenged to stay focused on Christ, to remain prayerful, and to guard our hearts against anything that would undermine our relationship with God. This vigilance involves being aware of the influences in our lives and making conscious choices that align with our faith and values.
In summary, this gospel challenges us to live our faith with intentionality, seeking God’s guidance, offering our best in worship, trusting in His plan, and staying vigilant against distractions. It’s a call to deepen our spiritual journey and to live in a way that reflects our commitment to Christ.