Gospel Reflection Jan 5 – Msgr. Hendricks
Sunday, January 5
The Epiphany of the Lord
Matthew 2: 1-12
Gospel:
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.
Gospel Reflection:
The Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord has Matthew the gospel writer compare two kings. Herod, the Roman appointed and elected “ King of the Jews” in Jerusalem and the birth of Jesus who later will be call, The King of The Jews as he hung upon the Cross in the outskirts of Jerusalem.
The contrast is real and has a spiritual meaning for us who celebrate this feast today.
While Herod is seen as King who did everything for himself, Jesus is seen as one who is selfless and offers his life on the Cross for he of the world.
Epiphany is about the great mystery and power of God, who intervenes in human history once and even now to bring hope and redemption to his creatures through the power of the Cross.
As we enter this new year and new decade we are reminded where our destiny resides, and in which kingdom we yearn for.
Happy New Year and may the love of God in Christ bring you the peace you long for and seek, in the name of Jesus the Son of God and Savior of the world!
-Monsignor Hendricks