This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, January 7th is from 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” . . . 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.
Reflection
“The magi were truly wise, for not only did they set out at once for Judea once they saw the star at its rising, they also changed their plan to return to Herod after finding the child. They had an epiphany, as it were, after encountering the Messiah, after finding him in a place they could not have anticipated when they’d left their homes. We would do well to be open to epiphanies of our own after an unexpected encounter with the Lord.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Winter 2023-2024
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Isaiah 55:1-11; Mark 1:7-11
The Baptism of the Lord (Feast) – “The Baptism of Jesus Christ was originally celebrated on Epiphany along with two other gospel events: the coming of the Magi and the wedding at Cana. But over time it came to be celebrated as a distinct feast from Epiphany. In 1955, Pope Pius XII officially instituted a separate celebration of Christ’s Baptism.”
Tuesday 1 Samuel 1:9-20; Mark 1:21-28
Wednesday 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20; Mark 1:29-39
Thursday 1 Samuel 4:1-11; Mark 1:40-45
Friday 1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22a; Mark 2:1-12
Saturday 1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1; Mark 2:13-17
SOURCE: Living With Christ, January 2024
“Every soul purified through baptism and raised to the state of grace is thereby conceived through Christ and is born for his sake.” —St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)