The Offering

 

“If the Magi had come in search of an earthly King, they would have been disconcerted at finding that they had taken the trouble to come such a long way for nothing. Consequently they would have neither adored nor offered gifts. But since they sought a heavenly King, though they found in Him no signs of royal pre-eminence, yet, content with the testimony of the star alone, they adored: for they saw a man, and they acknowledged a God.” (St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church)

First Reading: IS 60:1-6

Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;

all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm: PS 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13

Second Reading : EPH 3:2-3A, 5-6

Brothers and sisters:

You have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. It was not made known to people in other generations  as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Gospel: MT 2:1-12

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.

Reflection 
By Pietro S. Albano

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light

On this feast of the Lord's Epiphany, there seems be no other song more appropriate than "We Three Kings of Orient Are".  In today's Gospel, we read that wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem looking for the newborn king of the Jews.  Naturally, Herod whom the Roman Senate elected "King of the Jews", was disturbed. 

The wise men offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The beautiful Christmas carol I mentioned above gives us a glimpse of what these gifts meant.

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign

Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Prayer and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb

Take note that the gifts reflect not so much of the giver, but more of the receiver. At the closing of the Christmas season, what is that we can offer our Lord?  Something that reflects more of Him than us? Another Christmas carol ("In the Bleak Midwinter") comes to mind:

What can I give him, poor as I am? 
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; 
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; 
yet what I can I give him: give my heart. 

Poor as we may be, wretched our heart and life may be, He is here to console and heal us. Fear not then, but come and let's worship and serve Him!

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, together with the wise men, I humbly approach You to offer my poor heart.  Use it, beloved King, for Your glory and for the good of Your people. Amen.

The Search is On

The Epiphany of the Lord

January 3, 2016

First reading                                                                             Isaiah 60:1-6

Arise, shine out, Jerusalem, for your light has come,
the glory of the Lord is rising on you,
though night still covers the earth
and darkness the peoples.
Above you the Lord now rises
and above you his glory appears.
The nations come to your light
and kings to your dawning brightness.
Lift up your eyes and look round:
all are assembling and coming towards you,
your sons from far away
and your daughters being tenderly carried.
At this sight you will grow radiant,
your heart throbbing and full;
since the riches of the sea will flow to you,
the wealth of the nations come to you;
camels in throngs will cover you,
and dromedaries of Midian and Ephah;
everyone in Sheba will come,
bringing gold and incense
and singing the praise of the Lord.

Psalm	Psalm 71:1-2,7-8,10-13

Second reading                                                                         Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6                    You have probably heard how I have been entrusted by God with the grace he meant for you, and that it was by a revelation that I was given the knowledge of the mystery. This mystery that has now been revealed through the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets was unknown to any men in past generations; it means that pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body, and that the same promise has been made to them, in Jesus Christ, through the gospel.

Gospel                                                                           Matthew 2:1-12

After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews?’ they asked. ‘We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.’ When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ‘At Bethlehem in Judaea,’ they told him ‘for this is what the prophet wrote:

And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah,

for out of you will come a leader

who will shepherd my people Israel.’

Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared, and sent them on to Bethlehem. ‘Go and find out all about the child,’ he said ‘and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.’ Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward, and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. But they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way.

Reflection

By Anabelle Payod-Balla

Everyone is searching for something. Some may not be fully aware that they are searching for something and some may not even be aware of what they are searching for.  All of us may have been on both situations in different stages of our life. We are like lost wanderers or people who just go with the flow and allow others to push us to directions we don't even know. 

But there were also times when we exactly know what we are looking for. Finding it though depends on our faith and understanding of what's in it for us and for those we love. Our faith will fuel our actions, what we do to get to what we are searching for. If there is not enough faith, we may give it up when faced with difficulties or when confronted with conflicting priorities.

What are you searching for and why?

The three kings in today's gospel know exactly what they were looking for.  Their faith has helped them to go on searching until they've reached Jesus. And a great reward awaited them for God revealed His blessings through His most precious one, Jesus.

Let us pray for our own epiphany. May God reveal to us what He wants us to search for in this life and with His grace, may we find it in His perfect time. 

Prayer

Father, we thank You for giving us Jesus. With His help, we pray that You lead us to where we can fulfill our purpose in this life, the purpose that we need to search for.  Amen.

Do the Opposite

First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13.

Second Reading: 2 Ephesians 3:2-3A, 5-6

Brothers and sisters:

You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. It was not made known to people in other generations  as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

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.      

Reflection 
By Nicola S. Albano

The story of the Epiphany teaches us about King Herod’s jealousy and greed. He was the most powerful man alive when Jesus was born. Prior to the birth of Jesus, King Herod murdered many of his family members to secure his throne. Hearing about the newborn king made him feel threatened that he will soon be replaced. When the three magi met King Herod, he told them to “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” We later on discover that King Herod was to order the execution of all male children in the vicinity of Bethlehem to secure his power. He massacred the innocents.

            
Strong influences in our life sometimes dictate or even force us to do one thing or act a certain way. The challenge for us is to realize when it is not the right thing to do, even if there is great pressure. We are to do the right thing, to praise and honor God in spite of what others tell us what to do. The epiphany that the three wise men experienced in their dream shortly after they visited the Messiah, told them to do the opposite of what King Herod asked them to do.

Prayer

“Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy. Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy. “ - Saint Augustine



God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. - The Serenity Prayer

Moving On By Another Way

" Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him."

First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes round about, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far, and your daughters shall be carried in the arms. Then you shall see and be radiant, your heart shall thrill and rejoice; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Mid'ian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.

Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13

Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6

Assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'" Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Reflection

By Pietro S. Albano

Epiphany comes from a Greek word which means "manifestation" or "showing".  If at the first Christmas, Jesus showed Himself to His kababayan shepherds, this time He manifested to the Gentiles as represented by the three wise men.

During this week when the feast of the Lord's Epiphany is celebrated, we would have already started to dismantle all the Christmas decors we have put in our homes, offices, etc.  There is a feeling of going back to normal after a month or so of being in a festive mood.

Christmas decors attract our attention, giving us that happy feeling of Christmas.  It could be said of the same thing with the star that led the three wise men to where Jesus was.  With the star, these men from the East travelled to their destination. They may have lost it at some point which was why perhaps they ended in Herod's court, but when they saw it again, they were delighted. They kept on hoping until finally they saw the Child Jesus.

If decors would soon be taken out of the picture of our lives, the star too would soon be taken out of these men's story. Notice how it was no longer mentioned when they see Jesus. What were only mentioned were that they offered their gifts and then, left "...by another way."

Jesus has shown Himself to us in many different means - through the sacraments, the Belen, our family and friends, the many happenings in our surrounding nowadays.  It is up to us to be like the wise men moving on with our lives by another way - a way of life that is matuwid. And as we walk through a new way, let's make the Lord's presence continuously felt by those around us.  Unlike our Christmas ornaments that are here now and then stored in the attic later, let's show Christ's light 24/7!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, like the three wise men, strengthen us in our continuous desire to follow You.  Through the many means that You would like to shown Yourself to us, give us an insight to recognize, adore, and serve You...not only during the Christmas season, but always. Amen.

God’s Light Can Shine Through You

" Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh "

First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

Rise up in splendor! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; But upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: Your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, For the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; All from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

Resp. Psalm: Psalms: 72:1-2,7-8,10-11, 12-13

Second Reading: Ephesians: 3:2-3, 5-6

If, as I suppose, you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for your benefit,  (namely, that) the mystery  was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly earlier. 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, that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

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 Messiah 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.

Reflection:

By Fely Santiago

“Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you”

On this Feast of the Three Kings or Epiphany Sunday, our normal reflection would be to ask -- “What gifts can I offer to the Lord, our new born King?”  The three wise men offered their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. What can I offer to God?

For me it is not anymore to ask what gifts can I offer to the Lord because God has everything already. He created everything so He needs nothing. The question would rather be what gifts have I received from God that I can offer to others?

Every new year most people do all kinds of rituals to attract material prosperity – wearing polka dots, hanging coins in the window, putting coins in their pockets, putting “round” fruits on the table to attract more “money”. Then what? When they receive materials blessings what do they do with it? Have we asked these questions? Why would God want to prosper us?

Let us remember that we are only stewards of the many gifts God has entrusted to us including our wealth. The money in our bank accounts or the investments we have in our many businesses, or mutual fund or stock market is not really ours, they are still God’s entrusted to us and are meant to be shared, to be used to serve God’s people! Your wealth is merely one of the many tools by which the Lord allows you to love others and to glorify Him. Let God’s Light shine through you. You and I, were after all, created to love, serve and to honor God.

That’s why I want to be truly rich. I want to use the blessings and gifts I receive from God to be a blessing to others. Be Jesus for others! Be the star that will bring others to the child Jesus.

 Prayer

Lord again as I begin the new year, let me be more conscious of what I can become whether in the midst of trials and sufferings or in the midst of “plenty” rather than be anxious of what to acquire, achieve or possess. Let me not seek happiness in material possessions and wealth. May I “seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness” and give me many opportunities to share God’s blessings to others this year and build more treasures in Heaven. Let Your Light shine through me, in Jesus’ name. Amen

But Wait, There's More

The Epiphany of the Lord
03 January 2010


Come, let us worship Christ, who has appeared to us.

First reading Isaiah 60:1-6
Arise, shine out, Jerusalem, for your light has come,
the glory of the Lord is rising on you,
though night still covers the earth
and darkness the peoples.
Above you the Lord now rises
and above you his glory appears.
The nations come to your light
and kings to your dawning brightness.
Lift up your eyes and look round:
all are assembling and coming towards you,
your sons from far away
and your daughters being tenderly carried.
At this sight you will grow radiant,
your heart throbbing and full;
since the riches of the sea will flow to you,
the wealth of the nations come to you;
camels in throngs will cover you,
and dromedaries of Midian and Ephah;
everyone in Sheba will come,
bringing gold and incense
and singing the praise of the Lord.

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 71:1-2,7-8,10-13

Second reading Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6
You have probably heard how I have been entrusted by God with the grace he meant for you, and that it was by a revelation that I was given the knowledge of the mystery. This mystery that has now been revealed through the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets was unknown to any men in past generations; it means that pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body, and that the same promise has been made to them, in Jesus Christ, through the gospel.


Gospel Matthew 2:1-12
After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews?’ they asked. ‘We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.’ When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ‘At Bethlehem in Judaea,’ they told him ‘for this is what the prophet wrote:
And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah,
for out of you will come a leader
who will shepherd my people Israel.’
Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared, and sent them on to Bethlehem. ‘Go and find out all about the child,’ he said ‘and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.’ Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward, and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. But they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way.

Reflection
By Gharri Tulabut

“But Wait There’s More” so goes the popular TV shopping phrase. Just when we thought Christmas season is over, look again, there’s more. We still have today’s celebration – the Epiphany of the Lord - which is popularly known as the feast of the Three Kings or Magi or Wise Men. Whether these men were rulers, astrologers or simple travelers, for me, they represent the elite, the successful people, the superstars, the rich, the politicians, or simply those who had a wonderful year last year as compared to those who suffered tragedies, hunger, injustice, oppression, failure, or poverty who, on the other hand, were represented by the shepherds (see my Jan 1 reflection).

“But wait there’s more” is more than just about an extension of the season. For me this is a call for those who are so much blessed in life but still haven’t discovered the Lord in their lives. I say “But wait, there’s more”, there’s more to life than material things and success. I am not saying these blessings are evil. Rather, these blessings can become instruments to seek the mother of all blessings. That is finding true happiness in the Lord. Like the magi, let us seek the king that was born and serve Him. Offer the gifts of gold (i.e. charity), frankincense (i.e. church service), and myrrh (i.e. new life in the Spirit). Let’s follow His star and we will be on the right path. And once we found Him, let us not go back to Herod (i.e. sin) instead, let us be the guiding star and light the path for others who also wish to witness the Lord’s Epiphany in their lives.


Father, thank You for showering us with blessings. May we become blessings to others so that they, too, may experience You in their lives. Amen.


Next week on God-speak
Whoever Loves the Most Makes the First Move