Gifts of the Magi

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The Epiphany of the Lord Mass Readings
First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
Responsorial: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13
Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3A, 5-6
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/010520.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Thank you for joining me today on Epiphany for another episode of deacon rudy’s notes. Just a reminder, we in the countdown to launch our new installments on Wednesdays called “All Things Catholic,” where together we will explore our faith and try to understand what it means to be Catholic. Don’t forget to send me your suggestions by clicking the comment form on the website www.deaconrudysnotes.org or by sending me an email to rudy@deaconrudysnotes.org.

This weekend we celebrate Epiphany, when the wise men presented their gifts to Jesus. These wise men, who were not Jewish, presented gifts for a king: gold, frankincense and myrrh. So, the first thing we can observe about the arrival of the Magi is that they affirm that Jesus came to save everyone – not just the Chosen.

But what do the gifts of the Magi mean for us today?

Well, I believe the second observation we can make about today’s readings is that Jesus is not king in response to our gifts. He came to humanity first, and in response we present our gifts to Him. That’s a very important point in understanding our faith. Whatever we do or offer is in response to the unmerited gift of God’s mercy and love.

I think the readings today challenge us to offer Jesus Christ our gifts just like the Magi. That’s the third observation today. But how do we do that? By following Jesus’ example. Jesus offered Himself for our salvation. So too, we can offer ourselves as a form of praise and worship. But how?

There are at least two ways that we can offer ourselves as gifts to the Lord.

First, we need to remember that Jesus established His church on earth. That church, whose mission it is to spread the good news of Jesus Christ, needs our talents and our financial contributions. So, we sacrifice time to volunteer to share our talents with the community. But our churches have to keep the lights on; they need to keep the heat running and staff to serve our communities. That means we need to sacrificially give of the financial blessings we’ve received to help the church in its mission.

But wait – there’s more! We can’t just phone-in our discipleship. Jesus left us two great commandments. We are to, “…love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and we need to, “…love our neighbor as yourself,” (Matthew 22:37-39).

And who is our neighbor?

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus tells us that everyone – everyone is our neighbor (see Luke 10:29-37). So, the second way that we offer ourselves as gifts is to reach out to those around us, like our family and friends, and every single person we encounter with love and compassion.

That has real implications for our everyday lives. We present our gifts in praise and worship to Jesus when we treat other people with dignity and respect (which are ways that we can show love). This can create opportunities for an encounter with Jesus Christ. We present empty gifts to Jesus when we do the opposite, that can actually lead people away from Jesus.

That means that when we treat other people like they don’t matter, especially people we disagree with like in politics, then we turn our backs on Jesus.

When we discriminate against someone because they don’t look or sound like us or because they are an immigrant (legal or illegal), we turn our back on Jesus.

When we discriminate against someone because of their sexual orientation, we turn our back on Jesus.

When we hoard possessions and fail to share with others who are less fortunate, we turn our back on Jesus.

Jesus teaches us time and again that our call is to reach out and meet people where they are, not to render judgment and scorn people. The gifts of the Magi challenge us to consider the gifts we bring to Jesus. That leads us to our HOMEWORK! Having been nourished by the Eucharist and in the Word of God proclaimed, I encourage you to reflect on the following two questions this week.

  1. The Magi presented their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. How do I share my gifts with those in need?
  2. The Magi asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?” How can I help others encounter Christ?

I think doing our homework this week will help us grow in discipleship of Christ Jesus. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. +Amen!

References:

  1. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
  2. Mitch, Curtis, and Edward Sri. The Gospel Of Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2014.
  3. Williamson, Peter S. Ephesians. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011.

Catechism Links: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

  1. Epiphany, 528
  2. Holy Spirit manifesting Christ through Mary, 724
  3. The Father reveals the mystery by sending Christ, 50
  4. The Apostolic Tradition, 75-76
  5. A new People of God not based on physical descent, 781-82

Mass Readings http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/010520.cfm
First Reading Isaiah 60:1-6
Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come,
the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds cover the peoples;
but upon you the LORD shines,
and over you appears his glory.
Nations shall walk by your light,
and kings by your shining radiance.
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.

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.
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.

Responsorial
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13.
R. (cf. 11) Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king’s son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts;
the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute.
All kings shall pay him homage,
all nations shall serve him.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Second Reading
Ephesians 3:2-3A, 5-6
Brothers and sisters:
You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace
that was given to me for your benefit,
namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation.
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:
that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body,
and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Alleluia
Matthew 2:2
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 2:1-12
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
in the days of King Herod,
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.”
When King Herod heard this,
he was greatly troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,
He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea,
for thus it has been written through the prophet:
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.”
Then Herod called the magi secretly
and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.
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.”
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.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star,
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.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they departed for their country by another way.

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