5 Jan
Sun
EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD
Is. 60:1-6
Ps. 72:1-2,7-8,10-11,12-13
Eph. 3:2-3a,5-6
Mt. 2:1-12
How To Pray With Shalom
Home Page of Shalom
Index of This Month
 

Today's feast complements Luke's account of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Luke emphasises the coming of Jesus among the poor and needy of this world - His being born homeless and visited by poor people, the shepherds. It is an indication of the direction of His future public life. Today, Matthew gives a different emphasis. The guests of the newly born child are strangers from a far place vaguely referred to as the 'East'. They bring precious gifts which seem suggested by the text from Isaiah which is the First Reading. The message is clear. Jesus has come not just for His own people but for people all over the world. It is nice to think that these first outsiders, that is, non-Jewish worshippers were Asians, representing the large numbers from as far away as Japan, who over many centuries would come to know Jesus as Lord. Let us remember today our responsibility to continue the work of the Magi who, after they had seen Jesus, went back to their own country to share their experience with their own people.



God has called us out of darkness, into His wonderful light.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That Christian communities may welcome ever more completely the Lord's invitation to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Elaboration

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