Feast of St. Paul the Apostle, January 25

Feast of St.Paul the Apostle,

JANUARY 25.

THE history of this conversion is fully given in the epistle taken from the Acts.
The Introit of the Mass is as follows: “I know Whom I have believed, and I am certain that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day, being a just judge. Lord, Thou hast proved me and known me, Thou hast known my sitting down, and my rising up.” Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

O God, Who didst teach the whole world by the preaching of blessed Paul the apostle, grant us, we beseech Thee, that we, who this day celebrate his conversion, may advance towards Thee by his example. Through Christ our Lord, etc.

EPISTLE. Acts ix. 1-22.

In those days : Saul as yet breathing out -threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues : that if he found any men and women of this way, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. And as he went on his journey, it came to pass that he drew nigh to Damascus : and suddenly a light from heaven shined round about him. And falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him : Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? Who said: Who art Thou, Lord? And He said : I am Jesus Whom thou persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the goad. And he trembling and astonished, said : Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do? And the Lord said to him : Arise, and go into the city, and there it shall be told thee what thou must do. Now the men who went in company with him stood amazed, hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no man.  And Saul arose from the ground, and when Ids eyes were opened, he saw nothing. But they leading him by the hands, brought him to Damascus. And he was there three days without sight, and he did neither eat nor drink. Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias : and the Lord said to him in a vision: Ananias. And he said: Behold I am here, Lord.  And the Lord said to him : Arise, and go into the street that is called Strait, and seek in the house of Judas, one named Saul of Tarsus. For behold he prayeth. (And he saw a man named Ananias, coming in and putting his hands upon him, that he might receive his sight.) But Ananias answered : Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to Thy saints in Jerusalem. And here he hath authority from the chief priests, to bind all that invoke Thy name. And the Lord said to him : Go thy way, for this man is to Me a vessel of election, to carry My name before the gentiles, and kings, and the chil dren of Israel. For I will show him how great things he must suffer for My name s sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house : and laying his hands upon him, he said :Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus hath sent me, He that appeared to thee in the way as thou earnest: that thou mayst receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and rising up he was baptized. And when he had taken meat he was strengthened. And he was with the disciples that were at Damascus for some days. And immediately he preached Jesus in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. And all that heard him were astonished, and said : Is not this he who persecuted in Jerusalem those that called upon this name ; and came hither for that intent, that he might carry them bound to the chief priests? But Saul increased much more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, affirming that this is the Christ.

What do we learn from this history?
Not to despise any sinner, nor to despair of his salvation :for, like Paul on the road to Damascus, the greatest sinner may, by the grace of God, be suddenly converted, and become a saint.  At the command of God he accepted Ananias as his leader in the way of salvation, and became as zealous for the honor of Christ as he had previously been intent on persecuting Him.  In like manner, a convert must shut his eyes to all by which he has heretofore been led astray, and must give heed to that only which God commands.

GOSPEL. Matt. xix. 27-29.

At that time Peter said to Jesus : Behold, we have left all things, and have followed Thee : what, therefore, shall we have?  And Jesus said to them : Amen I say to you, that you, who have followed Me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the seat of His majesty, you also shall sit on twelve seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting.  This gospel teaches that he who renounces the world, its pleasures and its riches, shall receive the grace of God, virtues, interior consolation, and eternal happiness, which are a hundred fold, that is, infinitely, more precious than worldly goods.

Prayer.

O St. Paul, great apostle, who, from being an enemy, be came the most zealous friend and preacher of Christ, procure for me from Him, I beseech thee, grace at last truly to know Him, Whom I have heretofore so often denied, offended, and, by my sins, crucified anew ; to follow Him, and, after thy ex ample 5 to be henceforth as diligent in doing justice as I have formerly been in practising evil ; that I may one day attain to that happiness which thou hast gained. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, etc. Amen.
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Next: Feast of St. Bridget, February 1

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

 

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

THE  Introit of the Mass is the same as on last Sunday.

Prayer.

O God ! Who knowest that, placed amidst so many dangers, we cannot, through human frailty, stand, grant us safety of mind and body, that we may, by Thy aid, surmount those things which we suffer for our sins. Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

EPISTLE. Rom. xiii. 8-10.

Brethren : Owe no man anything, but to love one another ; for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law. For thou shalt not commit adultery: Thou shalt not kill : Thou shalt not steal : Thou shalt not bear false witness : Thou shalt not covet : and if there be any other commandment, it is comprised in this word : Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The love of our neighbor worketh no evil. Love, therefore, is the fulfilling of the law.

How are we to understand those words of St. Paul, “ He that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law”?
St. Augustine explains them as follows :“ Our love towards our neighbor must have its origin in the love of God ; for if we love our neighbor, we must love him for God s sake. Now he who loves God keeps the first four commandments, for he believes in God, hopes in Him, loves Him, and honors Him, while he also loves and honors his parents. But he who loves his neighbor keeps the rest of the commandments also, since that love prevents him from doing any injury to his neighbor, so that he will not kill, nor steal, nor calumniate, nor bear false witness; thus he fulfills the law, for  “ upon these two commandments depend the whole law and the prophets” (Matt. xxii. 40).

GOSPEL. Matt. viii. 23-27.

At that time, when Jesus entered into the boat, His disciples followed Him: and behold a great tempest arose in the sea, so that the boat was covered with waves, but He was asleep. And His disciples came to Him, and awakened Him, saying: Lord, save us, we perish. And Jesus saith to them, Why am you fearful, O ye of little faith? Then rising up He commanded the winds, and the sea ; and there came a great calm.  But the men wondered, saying, What manner of man is this, for the winds and the sea obey Him?

Why did Jesus sleep while a great tempest arose in the sea?
       1.He thereby tested the faith of His disciples, and con firmed it by the miracle of their escape. 2. He, by this occasion, taught the just and pious not to be scandalized or discouraged if God should visit them with affliction, such as sick ness, poverty, or other miseries. 3. He teaches us also to seek refuge in Him, and encourages us to hope for help.

       Why did Our Saviour reprove His disciples?  Because they showed a want of faith and confidence. Ever had they been then drowned, such a death would have been to them the entrance to eternal life. “Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, . . . but blessed be the man that trusteth in the Lord “(Jer. xvii. 5, 7). Let us, therefore, in any adversity or danger be firm in our belief that God cares for us, and have confidence in Him and He will hear our prayers, if it be for our good, as He quieted the wind and the sea with His almighty word.

What can we further learn from this gospel?
     1.How willingly Jesus assists us. 2. That He will protect His Church in all storms and persecutions, since He, the Al mighty, is always with her. 3. How willingly we should follow Jesus, since even the winds and waves obey Him. 4. That we should not look with indifference at the wonders of God s om- nipotence and benevolence, but from them learn to raise our thoughts in love to Him. For if those men wondered, saying, “ Who is this? for even the winds and the sea obey Him” how much rather should we know and love God from the innumerable miracles of His love and power.

Aspiration.

Grant us, O most benign Jesus, great confidence in Thy divine assistance whenever we are in need, and allow us not to be of little faith. Be our Saviour in the many dangers that surround us; make use of Thy omnipotence against our enemies; command the impetuous winds and sea of persecution that they may be calm ; and give peace and quiet to Thy Church, which Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood, that we may serve Thee in sanctity and justice, and come safely to the wished-for haven of eternal happiness. Amen.
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Next: Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.

THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY.

THE Church, knowing that she cannot sufficiently love and praise God, at the Introit of the Mass invites all angels to praise Him: Adore God, all you His angels : Sion heard and was glad, and the daughters of Juda rejoiced. The Lord hath reigned, let the earth rejoice, let many islands be glad” (Ps.xcvi.). Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

Almighty and eternal God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and extend the right hand of Thy majesty to help and defend us. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, etc. Amen.

EPISTLE. Rom. xii. 16-21.

Brethren: Be not wise in your own conceits: to no man rendering evil for evil: providing good things not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as in you, having peace with all men. Not revenging yourselves, my dearly beloved; but give place unto wrath, for it is written: Revenge to Me: I will repay, saith the Lord. But if thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat; if he thirst, give him drink ; for doing this thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil by good.

What is the meaning of the words, “Revenge to Me: I frill repay, saith the Lord“?
They mean that God alone has the right to revenge. “Are you impatient,” says St. Ambrose, “then you will be conquered: but do you suffer in patience, then you will be conqueror.”

What must we do, then, when our honor is attacked?
When an injury by others brings serious consequences upon us, it is not only permissible, but even a duty, to defend our honor and good name. In matters of less importance we should leave our assailants to God, according to the admonition of the Apostle.

Is it wrong to wish our neighbor the evil that he wished us?
Certainly; for it is contrary to the law of God, Who commands us to love our enemies, to do good to them that hate us, and pray for them that persecute and calumniate us (Matt, v. 44 ; Luke vi. 35).

How are we to “heap coals of fire on the heads of our enemies”?
When, according to the will of God, we render good for evil, thereby confounding our enemies and causing them to burn with shame; St. Augustine says : You will heap burning coals of love on his head, for nothing sooner begets love than to meet one with love.

Prayer.

Enable me, O heavenly Father, so to follow these admonitions of St. Paul in regard to the love of my enemies that I may be Thy child, Who makest Thy sun to shine upon the evil and upon the good.

GOSPEL. Matt. viii. 1-13.

At that time, when Jesus was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him: and behold a leper came and adored Him, saying: Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make
me clean. And Jesus, stretching forth His hand, touched him, saying: I will. Be thou made clean. And forthwith his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith to him: See thou tell no man: but go show thyself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses commanded for a testimony unto them. And when He had entered into Capharnaum, there came to Him a centurion, beseeching Him, and saying : Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, and is grievously tormented. And Jesus saith to him : I will come and heal him. And the centurion, making answer, said: Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof ; but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man subject to authority, having under me soldiers; and I say to this: Go, and he goeth : and to another : Come, and he cometh: and to my servant: Do this, and he doth it. And Jesus hearing this, marvelled: and said to them that followed Him: Amen I say to you, I have not found so great faith in Israel. And I say to you that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven : but the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said to the centurion: Go, and as thou hast believed, so be it done to thee. And the servant was healed at the same hour.

Why did the leper say to Jesus,”Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean”?
Because he believed Jesus to be the promised Messias, Who,as true God, had the power to heal him. When we pray, we must be careful not to prescribe to God what He shall give us, but begin by saying, "If it be pleasing to Thee, and advantageous to me, give me this or that grace.

Why did Jesus stretch forth His hand and touch him?
So that he might understand that his leprosy was to be healed. Let us also imitate the example of Jesus by assisting each other in sickness, not shirking this work of charity from aversion or excessive delicacy.

Why did Jesus say,”I will, be thou made clean”?
To reveal His almightiness, and to show that all things were subject to Him.

Why did Jesus say, ”See thou tell no man”?
To show His modesty and humility, and to teach us, when we do good works, not to speak of them, thus losing our reward (Matt. vi. 2, 3).

What does the Saviour mean by saying, “Go show thyself to the priest”?
1. Christ wished to show His respect for the law of Moses, for lepers were required to show themselves to the priests, who were to decide whether they were clean or not. He also teaches us that priests should receive their proper respect. 2. He reminded him who was cleansed to give thanks to God by offering the gift which Moses commanded.

What does the solicitude of the centurion teach us?
That masters and mistresses should take care of their sick servants, and do what they can to restore them to health.

Why did Our Saviour say, ”I will come and heal him”?
To show His profound humility, for although He was God, and the Lord of lords, He did not hesitate to visit a poor servant.

Why did the centurion say, ”Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof”?
Out of humility, for he acknowledged Jesus to be Almighty God.

What is the meaning of the words, “That many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham,” etc.?
Christ meant that many unbelievers shall receive the Gospel, and, living according to it, shall thereby gain the kingdom of heaven, while the Jews, who were the chosen people of God, shall, for their unbelief and sins, be cast out into the exterior darkness that is, into the most excruciating pains of hell.

Aspiration.

O Jesus, fountain of consolation, give me the faith and confidence of the leper, that I may always trust in Thy almighty power, and give myself up to Thy divine will. O most humble Jesus, give me the humility of the centurion, that I may for the sake of Thee love and assist my neighbor, particularly those of my household and family, the poor and the sick, and gain an eternal reward. Amen.
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Next: Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

Second Sunday after Epiphany

AT the Introit the Church invites us to thank God for the incarnation of His only-begotten Son:”Let all the earth adore Thee, and sing to Thee, O God ; let it sing a psalm to Thy name, shout with joy to God, all the earth, sing ye a psalm to His name, give glory to His praise.” Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

Almighty and everlasting God, Who dost govern all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of Thy people, and grant us Thy peace in our days. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

EPISTLE. Rom. xii. 6-16.

Brethren: We have different gifts, according to the grace that is given us: either prophecy, to be used according to the rule of faith, or ministry in ministering, or he that teacheth in doctrine, he that exhorteth in exhorting, he that giveth with simplicity, he that ruleth with carefulness, he that showeth mercy with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Hating that which is evil, cleaving to that which is good: loving one another with the charity of brotherhood: with honor preventing one another : in carefulness not slothful : in spirit fervent : serving the Lord : rejoicing in hope : patient in tribulation : instant in prayer ; communicating to the necessities of the saints : pursuing hospitality. Bless them that persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that rejoice, weep with them that weep: being of one mind one towards another : not minding high things, but consenting to the humble. Be not wise in your own conceits.

What lesson does the Apostle give us in this epistle?
That we should hate that which is evil, and love that which is good; that we should love one another, and practise works of mercy; that we should be solicitous and fervent, as in the service of God. We should cooperate with the grace of God, and pray instantly.

PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUPERIORS.

They must expect a severe judgment who seek office only for the sake of emolument, caring little for their duty, and regarding bribes and presents rather than justice.

Aspiration.

O God, give us Thy grace to follow faithfully what St.Paul teaches us of humility and charity, that we may have compassion on all who are in need, and not exalt ourselves above our neighbors, but, humbling ourselves with the humble, may merit, with them, to be exalted. Amen.

GOSPEL. John ii. 1-11.

At that time there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, and the Mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited, and His disciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the Mother of Jesus saith to Him : They have no wine. And Jesus saith to her: Woman, what is to Me and to thee? My hour is not yet come. His Mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever He shall say to you, do ye. Now there were set there six water-pots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece. Jesus saith to them: Fill the water-pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And Jesus saith to them: Draw out now and carry to the chief steward of the feast. And they carried it. And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water: the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, and saith to him: Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and when men have well drank, then that which is worse ; but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

Why was Jesus present at the wedding with His Mother and disciples?
1. In order there to reveal His majesty, and by that means to establish and confirm the belief in His divinity. 2. To show that marriage is pleasing to God. 3. To let us understand how pious the bridegroom and bride were. 4. To teach us that those pleasures are permitted which are in accordance with reason and Christianity, and neither sinful nor leading to sin.


Why did Mary intercede for the bride and bridegroom when the wine was failing?
She was sorry for them, for she is the tender-hearted mediatrix of the afflicted and destitute. Besides, the number of the guests had been considerably increased by the presence of Jesus and His disciples, so that the wine was not sufficient for all.

What is the meaning of the words, “Woman, what is that to Me and to thee?”
According to the idiom of the Hebrew language, they mean as much as, “Mother, be not anxious; I will provide the wine as soon as the hour appointed by My Father is come.” Jesus did not mean to rebuke His Mother, but He thus gave her, and all who were present, to understand that He had not received the power of working miracles as the son of woman, but that He possessed it as the Son of God, and should use it according to the will of His Father.

Aspiration.

I thank Thee, O Jesus, for the grace of knowing Thy divinity; grant that I may persevere in this knowledge till death, in order to enjoy the contemplation of Thy Godhead in eternity.
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Next:Third Sunday after Epiphany

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

First Sunday after Epiphany

AT the Introit of the Mass the Church animates us to adore and obey God willingly and joyfully. “Upon a high throne I saw a man sitting, Whom a multitude of angels adored, singing together, Behold Him, the name of Whose empire is eternity“(Dan. vii.).“ Sing joyfully to God, all the earth : serve the Lord with gladness (Ps. xcix. 2). Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, in Thy heavenly mercy, the prayers of Thy suppliant people, that they may both see what they ought to do, and may be enabled to do what they see. Through Our Lord, etc.

EPISTLE. Rom. xii. 1-5.

Brethren: I beseech you, by the mercy of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing unto God, your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be reformed in the newness of your mind : that you may prove what is the good, and the acceptable, and the perfect will of God. For I say, by the grace that is given me, to all that are among you, not to be more wise than it behoveth to be wise, but to be wise unto sobriety, and according as God hath divided to every one the measure of faith. For as in one body we have many members, but all the members have not the same office :so we being many are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another in Christ Jesus our Lord.

How can we present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God?

By keeping the body and its members clean from all sin, serving God with soul and body. Thus to serve God, with our soul and body, is our reasonable service, and the vocation of every Christian.

What does St. Paul mean by the comparison of one body and many members ?

He means that we Christians belong all to one body, the Church, the head of which is Christ. Now, as all the members of the body work for its welfare, so should every Christian minister to the wants of all in the Church. One should join the other in the work of salvation ; should instruct or punish, warn,admonish, or correct, as there is occasion for it. This is true love, such as we ought to have, one for another, and happy are we when we thus love in word and deed.

Aspiration.

Grant, O Jesus, that I may present my soul and body a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing, to Thee, by mortification, humiliation, and contrition, and that I may never defile them by impurity, gluttony, lust, vanity, or pride; give me also Thy grace, O my Saviour, to love my neighbor as myself, for we are one body in Christ, and each one members of one another.

GOSPEL. Luke ii. 42-52.

When Jesus was twelve years old they going up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast, and having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem, and His parents knew it not. And thinking that He was in the company, they came a day s journey, and sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And not finding Him, they returned into Jerusalem seeking Him. And it came to pass that after three days they found Him in the temple sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard Him were astonished at His wisdom and His answers. And seeing Him, they wondered. And His Mother said to Him : Son, why hast Thou done so to us? behold Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing. And He said to them : How is it that you sought Me? did you not know that I must be about My Father s business? And they understood not the word that He spoke unto them. And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth ; and was subject to them. And His Mother kept all these words in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age, and grace with God and men.

What are we Christians to learn by this ?

That we should never miss an opportunity to go to church,particularly on Sundays and holy-days, and there assist at the public services, with inward and outward devotion. Parents should learn from Joseph and Mary to take their children to church and school, and to teach them their prayers and the other exercises of religion.

What lesson does the infant Jesus teach us?

That we also should attend religious instructions, the sermon, and catechism, to learn what is necessary in regard to our salvation.

What do we learn by those words, “ Jesus was subject to them”?

That children should obey their parents. When the God-Man was thus subject to His poor Mother and to His foster-father, who was a plain mechanic, those children should blush who are ashamed of their parents, or refuse to assist them in their old age, poverty, or distress.

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Next:Second Sunday after Epiphany

EPIPHANY

 

Epiphany.

WHAT mystery does the Church celebrate to-day?

She celebrates to-day a threefold mystery: 1. The arrival in Bethlehem of the Wise Men from the East to adore the new-born Saviour; 2. The baptism of Jesus in the Jordan; 3.The first miracle of Jesus at the wedding in Cana.

Why is this festival called Epiphany, or the manifestation?

Because in the three events just mentioned Jesus manifested Himself not only to the Jews, but also to the gentiles, as the expected Messias, the Redeemer of the world, and the beloved of His heavenly Father.

The Church sings to-day with joy at the Introit, “Behold the Lord, the Ruler, is come, and a kingdom in his hand, and power and dominion” (Mai. iii. 1).”Give to the king Thy judgment, O God, and to the king s son Thy justice”(Ps.Ixxi. 2).

Prayer.

O God, Who didst on this day reveal Thy only-begotten Son to the gentiles by the guidance of a star, grant in Thy mercy that we, who know Thee now by faith, may be brought to behold the beauty of Thy majesty. Through the same Lord, etc.

EPISTLE. Is. Ix. 1-6.

Arise, be enlightened, O Jerusalem: for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For behold darkness shall cover the earth, and a mist the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee : and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the gentiles shall walk in thy light, and kings in the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thy eyes round about and see: all these- are gathered together, they are come to thee : thy sons shall come from afar and thy daughters shall rise up at thy side. Then shalt thou see and abound, and thy heart shall wonder and be enlarged, when the multitude of the sea shall be converted to thee, the strength of the gentiles shall come to thee. The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Madian and Epha : all they from Saba shall come, bringing gold and frankincense, and showing forth praise to the Lord.

Of what does the prophet here speak?

He foretells the future manifestation of the light of the Lord Jesus to Jerusalem, which was a type of the Church, and that by that light the gentiles should enter into the one Church of Christ.

Prayer.

“Give praise, O ye heavens, and rejoice, O earth; ye mountains, give praise with jubilation, because the Lord hath comforted His people, and will have mercy upon His poor ones“(Is. xlix. 13).

GOSPEL. Matt. ii. 1-12.

When Jesus, therefore, was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of King Herod, behold, there came Wise Men from the East to Jerusalem, saying: Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East, and are come to adore Him. And King Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born. But they said to him, In Bethlehem of Juda: for so it is written by the prophet: And thou Bethlehem, the Land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the Captain that shall rule My people Israel. Then Herod, privately calling the Wise Men, learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them: and sending them into Bethlehem, said: Go and diligently inquire after the child : and when you have found Him, bring me word again, that I also may come and adore Him. Who having heard the king, went their way: and behold, the star which they had seen in the East, went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was. And seeing the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary, His Mother, and falling down, they adored Him: and opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country.

Why did the Wise Men come from afar to seek the Saviour in Jerusalem?

They lived in Arabia, and had acquired some information of the prophecies of Israel, particularly of the noted prophecy of Balaam, “A star shall rise out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall spring up from Israel”(Num. xxiv. IT), which was the more significant to them because they were, as their name denotes, skilled in astronomy. But to these human considerations must be added the light of divine inspiration, as St. Leo says, “The star shone also in their hearts a beautiful example for us to follow, without delay, the inspirations of divine grace, and to do the will of God without fear of men.

What was the significance of the presents which the Wise Men offered to the Saviour?

In offering gold the Wise Men honored the infant Jesus as King; in frankincense, as God; in myrrh, as suffering Man.

How can we offer to Jesus similar gifts?

We can present Him with gold by giving up to Him what we value most, our will; also by giving alms in His name to the poor. We can present Him incense in fervent and devout prayers ascending to heaven ; and myrrh, by preserving purity of body and soul.

Prayer.

Give to me, O my divine Saviour, the faith of these Wise Men ; enlighten my understanding with the light which enlightened them ; but move my heart also, that I may follow that light, and sincerely seek Thee, and Thee only, Who didst first seek me. Grant that I may find and adore Thee, with the Wise Men, in spirit and in truth, offering to Thee, like them, gold in my obedience and alms, incense in my prayers, myrrh in my penances and mortifications, that, after having brought Thee the offerings of my faith on earth, I may adore Thee in Thy eternal glory. Amen.

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Next:First Sunday After Epiphany