Readings for Sunday January 3, 2010

1st Reading from the Prophet Isaiah 60: 1-6

Isaiah, a great Prophet who lived on the latter part of the 8Th Century B.C., wrote a book, which is divided in 3 parts:
Part I, Chapters 1 to 39 -- the time when Judah was threatened by a mighty neighbor, Assyria, and a time when the its residents were very sinful and disobedient towards the law of God;
Part II, Chapters 40 to 55 -- the time when the majority of citizens of Judah were in exile in Babylon, as slaves, and the Prophet proclaimed to them that God would fulfill His promise of freeing them from slavery;
Part III, Chapters 56 to 66 -- the time when the people from Judea have returned from Babylon, and find themselves in need of God's reassurance; they are called to observe the Sabbath, to do acts of sacrifice, and to dedicate time to prayer.

This Sunday's 1st reading has its origins on the third part of Isaiah's book: remember to observe the Sabbath, the importance of sacrifice, and a call to prayer... At this time Jerusalem was reminded that her time of darkness (slaves in exile) would be followed by times of great radiance, a radiance that would emanate from the face of God, who looks upon His chosen people...

God's call to Jerusalem is the same call that we hear from Him today, some 2000 years later... The call is simple: acts of sacrifice and kindness, prayer, observation of the Sabbath... Not too difficult ah? Can we do this? Can we comply and be active participants of the call of God? 2nd Reading: from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians 3: 2-3a, 5-6

This is a letter that brings great news to the Gentiles!!!: the Kingdom of God is now open to us too!!! Along with the Jewish people, we are now, together, one in Jesus the Christ!!!
We are co-heirs, co-partners, members of the same body (of Christ).



*****&&&&&*****&&&&&*****&&&&&*****&&&&&*****&&&&&*****&&&&&

2nd Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians 3: 2-3a, 5-6

This is a letter that brings great news to the Gentiles!!!: the Kingdom of God is now open to us too!!! Along with the Jewish people, we are now, together, one in Jesus the Christ!!!
We are co-heirs, co-partners, members of the same body (of Christ).

*****&&&&&*****&&&&&*****&&&&&*****&&&&&*****&&&&&*****&&&&&

The Gospel according to Matthew: 2: 1-12

The gospel according to Matthew, presents us with the story of the three magi, who followed the star that announced the birth of the Son of God.
Coming from the east and on their way to find the child, the magi meet first with King Herod -a very cruel king, who killed his wife and other family members-, who asks them to find the child and to report to him of his whereabouts, just so Herod can also honor the child Jesus.
Following the star, the magi continue their journey, finding the newborn in the small town of Bethlehem. Prostrating themselves in front of the child, the magi present the child with gifts of frankincense, myrrh, and gold.
Having been warned in a dream about Herod's real intentions, the magi return to the east taking a different route.

They came from everywhere, shepherds and royalty, looking for the son of God. Despite the odd circumstances of being born amidst poverty, they all believed and came to honor the newborn King of the Jew. They traveled from close by and from afar... What a magnificent scene, what a great moment! What would we give for the chance to have been there, amongst the shepherds and the animals, accompanying Mary and Joseph, caring for the baby Jesus... For the chance to listen to the baby's voice asking His mother for milk, to look at those baby eyes searching for his mother's face, for his mother's scent... What would we give for the chance to help clean the baby's facy, His little feet, His little hands... For the chance to rock Him to sleep...

Had Jesus been born in a castle, would the castle guards have allowed shepherds to reach out to the newborn child? Or would they have allowed "royalty only" to enter into the child's chambers... God, in His magnificent wisdom, knew very well what circumstances where needed to ensure that His son could be reached by all, regardless of their social status or skin color... Rich and poor could enter the manger, diversity found its way there too... One of the three magi is depicted with dark skin... How beautiful, peace on Earth, amongst all her children, amongst all men of goodwill...