Saint Rita Catholic Church and School in Webster, NY - An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings

“Dromedaries From Midian And Ephah, All From Sheba Shall Come”

Today is the Feast of the Epiphany; the manifestation of Jesus as the newborn King of Israel. It memorializes the visit of the Magi, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Thus, these distinguished visitors from the east implied the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophesies that the “wealth of the nations shall come” to Israel and that the Gentiles are indeed part of God’s salvation plan.

In our first reading (Isaiah 60:1-6), Isaiah offered encouragement to the people of Jerusalem as they returned from exile, only to find their temple destroyed and their city in ruins. There could not have been a more disheartening time for the people of God. Isaiah’s words of future encouragement were to “rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come. . . . nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance.” Even their lost sons and daughters would return from afar.

In our Epistle reading (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6), Paul wrote to a Gentile Christian audience in Ephesus, telling them of the earth-shattering revelation not known to them or to the Jews of earlier generations — “that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise of Christ.” These same Gentiles are today represented by the Magi’s visit to the Christ Child.

In our Gospel reading (Matthew 2:1-12), we hear the account of the Magi’s visit to the child Jesus, found only in Matthew’s Gospel. The gifts they brought were significant in what they symbolized. It is said that the gold symbolized Jesus’ royal kingship on earth, frankincense signified His divinity, and myrrh, a burial spice, symbolized His suffering and death. The Magi then thwarted the intentions of Herod to kill the child and they returned to their country by a different route.

Most of us can remember a time in our life that seemed totally bleak and disheartening, much like the Jews returning from exile in Babylon. Some people feel this way during the holidays. The words of Isaiah, “Rise up in splendor!”, can be a comfort to us to trust in the Lord - our future is bright indeed. Others will walk by our radiance. God, our king has come to live with us and He will come again.

He will show us the way.

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010426.cfm