Welcome to our Bible Study

Solemnity of the Epiphany of our Lord

4 January 2015

In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy

In aid of focusing our homilies/sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1st Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

1 Rise up in splendor! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; But upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. 3 Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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.

The focus is on the meaning of light/radiance.

1st Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

Imperatives

1 Rise up in splendor! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; But upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. 3 Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance.

4 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.

Consequences/results

5 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. 6 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.

A simple outline!

1st Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

Imperatives

1 Rise up in splendor! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shinesupon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; But upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. 3 Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance.

4 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.

Commentary

Our reading, in poetry, comes from the Trito-Isaiah (56-66), written after the Babylonian Exile.

It is addressed to the people of Zion (Jerusalem).

Vv.1-2 and 4 contain imperatives.

Rise up… v.1

See, darkness… v.2

Raise your eyes… v.4 The text also states the reasons why:

Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines…v.1

The Lord shines upon you, his glory appears over you. V.2

The nations will walk by God’s light.

Light is a powerful imagery that provokes hope and a welcoming attitude.

The coming of the light gathers together in one place the peoples, nations, sons and daughters.

All are united for the coming of the light and glory of God.

For Christians, light refers to Jesus.

1st Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

Consequences/results

5 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. 6 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.

Results from listening to the imperatives of the prophet (vv.5-6):

You shall be radiant (You shall exude aura of self-confidence)

Your heart shall throb and overflow (You shall be happy)

You will possess the riches of the sea and wealth of nations be yours (You shall live in security, you shall not be enslaved by anyone.)

Caravans and dromedaries shall fill you. (Huge amounts and quantities of material things will be given you).

All from Sheba come bearing gold and frankincense. (It will be easy to procure materials for worship.)

Reflections on the 1st reading

We cannot always describe God’s actions upon us in plain language; the author uses poetic language.

Poetic language stirs the heart and imagination; it speaks more.

The text calls for rejoicing, for participation, for gathering.

It asks for convergence of peoples into this one light.

The text is appropriate for the feast of the Epiphany.

Nations and peoples experience darkness (wars, desperation, confusion). Now, the light has come.

Each believer must respond with docility to the call of the prophet (God) in order to witness the awe-inspiring glory and radiance of God.

Resp. Ps 72:1-2. 7-8. 10-11. 12-13

R. (cf. 11) Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.1 O God, with your judgment endow the king,and with your justice, the king's son;2 He shall govern your people with justiceand your afflicted ones with judgment.

7 Justice shall flower in his days,and profound peace, till the moon be no more.8 May he rule from sea to sea,and from the River to the ends of the earth.

10 The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts;the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute.11 All kings shall pay him homage,all nations shall serve him.

12 For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.13 He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;the lives of the poor he shall save.

Resp. Ps 72:1-2. 7-8. 10-11. 12-13

R. (cf. 11) Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.1 O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king's son;2 He shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment.

7 Justice shall flower in his days,and profound peace, till the moon be no more.8 May he rule from sea to sea,and from the River to the ends of the earth.

10 The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts; the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute.11 All kings shall pay him homage,all nations shall serve him.

12 For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.13 He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;the lives of the poor he shall save.

Commentary

In v.1, the psalmist prays for the king that he may have a right judgment.

He also prays for the king’s son (successor) to teach him the sense of justice.

In this way, the king will govern with justice and judgment. V.2

Vv.7-8 talk of the extent of justice (and peace): It will flourish in all his regnal years and territories.

In vv.10-11, even kings of other lands will recognize his reign, giving tributes.

Vv.12-13 talks of the priorities of this just king:

the poor, the afflicted, the lowly

Reflections on the Psalm

We do not only pray for the poor and the oppressed, but also for those in authority.

We, Christians, need to help form good (just and righteous) leaders in our land.

Whether we like it or not, they (the political leaders) are here to stay. It is worse if the clergy become political leaders themselves.

Leaders should pattern their rule to that of a just king with right judgment. He looks after the common good.

Jesus is the model of a servant-leader.

Without saying it, the psalm rules out leaders, whose mind and judgment are clouded by profit and self-interests, and their political ambitions.

2nd Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3.5-6

2 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 It 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.

The focus is on the mystery (secret) which is now revealed to all.

2nd Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3.5-6

2 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 It 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.

Commentary

First, it was only Paul to whom God revealed this mystery.

Now, it is also revealed to the apostles and prophets (v.5).

The revelation is that the Gentiles(non-Jews) are also coheirs, members of the Church and co-partners. (v.6).

Those privileges are no longer monopolized by his fellow Jews.

God embraces everyone (Jews and Gentiles).

In Jesus, there is a place for everyone.

Reflections on the 2nd reading

God reveals himself to everyone, through his Son.

God reveals not only to Paul, but also to the apostles, the prophets and the Gentiles.

With this revelation, everyone, Jew or Gentile, is destined to go to heaven.

The text teaches the universality of God’s love and salvation.

God’s grace is not exclusive to anyone or to any group.

With Jesus, the time has come to break the barriers of monopoly, exclusion, discrimination and isolation.

Gospel Reading: 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.

The focus is on the coming of the Magi.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:1-12

The magi

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."

King Herod

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.

Chief priests and scribes

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.'"

Herod

7Then 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."

The magi

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.

A simple outline!

Notice the characters and concentric structure!

Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:1-12The magi

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."

King Herod

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.

Chief priests and scribes

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.'"

Herod

7Then 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."

Commentary

The text is peculiar to Matthew.

Take note of the appearance of the characters and what they particularly do:

Magi They look for Jesus, to do homage (v.2)

They follow the guiding star (v.9)

Are overjoyed at seeing the star (v.10)

Prostrate themselves, do him homage (v.11)

Open gifts (v.11)

They leave the place by another way (v.12)

Herod Is troubled at the news (v.3)

Assembles experts (v.4)

Sends magi to Bethlehem (v.8)

Pretends to be interested

Experts Rightly quote Micah (v.5)

Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:1-12The magi

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.

The magi demonstrate their interest

in encountering Jesus. They travel

far and wide. They search for signs.

They even stumble at King Herod.

King Herod is disturbed at the

inquiry of the magi (where is the

newborn king?) He does not expect to

be dethroned soon. He misinterprets

the kingship of Jesus, at this early

stage.

The author uses the characters (that

of Herod and the Magi) to portray

the different attitudes towards the

birth of Jesus.

Reflections on the gospel reading

We can find Christ if we search for Him.

Searching means leaving your comfort zones, getting out of your box, taking risks, asking questions, paying attention to the signs, and being focused.

You can find Christ if you have a pure heart and mind.

You will never find Him if you harbor bad intentions or evil schemes (to destroy, to kill, like Herod), or, if you are insecure.

How to develop your homily / sharing

Today, we celebrate the feast of the

manifestation of our Lord Jesus, or, the

Epiphany.

Jesus manifests himself to us, not only to the

Jews, to Mama Mary and to Joseph, but to all

people who laboriously and humbly approach

him and recognize him as Savior and King.

Jesus’ manifestation fulfills the prophecy

of old as indicated in the first reading:

all nations gather together, all peoples see

the light.

Jesus’ manifestation calls for a

celebration, characterized by gift-giving.

In the second reading, Paul testifies that,

now, God reveals to all men and women

what was kept secret from of old.

No one is excluded from God’s

revelation and from participating in his

mysteries.

The gospel reading portrays how Jesus manifests himself.

He manifests himself to the unknown foreigners.

God-Jesus manifests himself to all kinds of peoples, not only to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles, to the rich and to the poor, who prostrate before him.

The magi represent us, who are searching for God, for a new breed of King.

After encountering Him, do we offer meaningful gifts and go home on a different path?

Are you searching for Jesus?

Do you think you have found him?

What are your gifts to him?

Are you happy with him? Is there any change

in your ways and lifestyle after having found

him?

Let us not fool ourselves by believing that we

have found Jesus once and for all.

We do not fully know him yet. We still have a

long way to go.

Christian life is a continuous journey towards

God, a continuous discernment and struggle to

find him and to live relevantly our faith here

and now.

We come to know Jesus better by reading the gospels, reflecting on his teachings, listening and fulfilling the teachings of the Church. Do you attend bible studies?

Do you read, or listen to, the talks of our Church leaders (priests, bishops/Pope)?

Do you have a spiritual director?

We encounter him in the poor and in the destitute. Do you love the poor? Do you hear their cries? Do

you know their names?

Get involved in the JPIC and BEC.

We come to know him better in our prayer life. Do you regularly pray?

Ultimately, we come to know him better if we

undergo and experience the paschal mystery (passion, death… and resurrection).

If you don’t take care about your ongoing formation, if

you desire evil on your neighbors, if you don’t give to

the poor, if you don’t love your Church and its leaders,

if you don’t pray, if you don’t celebrate with others and

if you don’t have joy in your hearts, and have no sense

of self-sacrifice, then you haven’t found Jesus yet and

you will never find him.

In the eucharist, Jesus manifests himself to us,

who are gathered together as one family.

The eucharist is the sacrament of

encountering Christ in the form of bread and

wine.

When we join the eucharistic celebration, we

find Christ like the magi in Bethlehem.

Our Context of Sin and Grace

Parochialism

Ethnocentricism

Anti-foreign sentiments

Racism, sexism

Dynasty-ism

Intolerance

Fundamentalism

Xenophobic

No direction

Universalism

Ecumenism

Dialogue

Always in search for the better

Transparency

Religious tolerance

Knowing how to read signs (instructions)

Suggested Songs

We Three Kings

Ang Pasko ay Sumapit

O Holy Night

Pastores a Belen

On the Night http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPCqP_0iyoo