Epiphany Year ABC 2023

Title

Searching for God

Outline

The beginning of the catechism of the Catholic Church talks about the universal search for God

The existence of God can be known by reason

Likewise some things about God can be known by reason

But since we are search beyond creation, ultimately God must reveal himself to be known

The problem is that those who are stewards of the revelation can fail either to hold onto that revelation or to act on that revelation

We see one aspect of this in Isaiah

A people not expecting God hear, “Arise! Shine, for your light has come, the glory of the LORD has dawned upon you.” And, “Upon you the LORD will dawn, and over you his glory will be seen.”

But it is not the people of the land who experience this, but exiles, “Your sons from afar . . .” Indeed, it is the gentiles, the non-Jews, who are bringing caravans of goods to the people as people of the Lord.

We see this laid out narratively in Matthew

It is not Jews in Jerusalem who see the signs of a “King of the Jews,” but gentile “magi from the east” who trek for months to reach Jerusalem where reason said they should find the king.

The scribes and other religious leaders in Jerusalem do not grasp the import of the magi’s coming, and even though they know well where to look do not leave Jerusalem to walk a couple of hours to Bethlehem to check it out. They have revelation, but do not act.

Thus it is the magi who go, the magi who see anew the sign of the star (for the baby, brephos, is now a child, pais, and the swaddling bands and manger are no longer in us), the magi who worship, the magi who offer, and the magi who receive divine guidance like Joseph that enables them to avoid Herod.

The people of Bethlehem surely know of the little family, but pay no attention, and those in Jerusalem not only do not go themselves, but do not think to warn Bethlehem about Herod who had a history of killing rivals, even his sons.

[Brother and] Sisters, we should not be complacent as we look back on these events

Paul knew of and wrote about “the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit . . . the mystery was made known to me by revelation.” It was a treasure given to the magisterium of the Church, for it was “revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.”

That is, that God has come to us, not just for an ethnic people, but to make all people part of his people in Jesus, i.e. “the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”

We too can ignore/forget this and go about our business, even religious business. We too can know this and not act on it. There is a Herod, a devil, who will try to act on it.

Or we too can use the limited guidance we have - it remains a mystery - and call the outsiders to come with us as we go to worship him (and worship entails obedience and sacrifice).

Then we and all who respond to our invitation will see as we ourselves will see “the glory of the LORD dawn upon” us.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 1-8-2023: Epiphany

FIRST READING

Isaiah 60:1–6

1 Arise! Shine, for your light has come,

the glory of the LORD has dawned upon you.

2 Though darkness covers the earth,

and thick clouds, the peoples,

Upon you the LORD will dawn,

and over you his glory will be seen.

3 Nations shall walk by your light,

kings by the radiance of your dawning.

4 Raise your eyes and look about;

they all gather and come to you—

Your sons from afar,

your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

5 Then you shall see and be radiant,

your heart shall throb and overflow.

For the riches of the sea shall be poured out before you,

the wealth of nations shall come to you.

6 Caravans of camels shall cover you,

dromedaries of Midian and Ephah;

All from Sheba shall come

bearing gold and frankincense,

and heralding the praises of the LORD.

Catholic Daily Readings 1-8-2023: Epiphany

RESPONSE

Psalm 72:11

11 May all kings bow before him,

all nations serve him.

PSALM

Psalm 72:1–2, 7–8, 10–11, 12–13

1 Of Solomon.

2 O God, give your judgment to the king;

your justice to the king’s son;

That he may govern your people with justice,

your oppressed with right judgment,

7 That abundance may flourish in his days,

great bounty, till the moon be no more.

8 May he rule from sea to sea,

from the river to the ends of the earth.

10 May the kings of Tarshish and the islands bring tribute,

the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.

11 May all kings bow before him,

all nations serve him.

12 For he rescues the poor when they cry out,

the oppressed who have no one to help.

13 He shows pity to the needy and the poor

and saves the lives of the poor.

Catholic Daily Readings 1-8-2023: Epiphany

SECOND READING

Ephesians 3:2–3a, 5–6

2 if, as I suppose, you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit, 3 [namely, that] the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly earlier.

5 which was not made known to human beings in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, 6 that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Catholic Daily Readings 1-8-2023: Epiphany

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Matthew 2:2

2 saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”

GOSPEL

Matthew 2:1–12

1 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet:

6 ‘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.’ ”

7 Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. 8 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.” 9 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. 10 They were overjoyed at seeing the star, 11  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. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 1-8-2023: Epiphany

SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2023 | CHRISTMAS

EPIPHANY

In dioceses where Epiphany is observed on Sunday.

YEARS ABC | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

On the same date: Baptism of the Lord, First Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading Isaiah 60:1–6

Response Psalm 72:11

Psalm Psalm 72:1–2, 7–8, 10–11, 12–13

Second Reading Ephesians 3:2–3a, 5–6

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 2:2

Gospel Matthew 2:1–12