(EPISODE: 343)
Readings for Sunday, January 2, 2022 - Epiphany of the Lord. Year C
FIRST READING: Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13. "Lord, every nation on earth will adore you."
SECOND READING: Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Alleluia). Alleluia, alleluia! We have seen his star in the East; and have come to adore the Lord.
GOSPEL: Matt 2:1-12
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Item ID:1224160396 - illustration of Epiphany (Epiphany is a Christian festival)- Contributor Designsoul
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for Epiphany of the Lord. Year C - Sunday, January 2, 2022, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-the-epiphany-year-c-episode-343?si=8a2b626ff5ab47df94201ba246b90475&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
(EPISODE: 343)
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*Prologue (Fr Paul Kelly)
On this feast of the Epiphany, we celebrate that God's glory has been revealed to all the nations, and not just the chosen people of Israel. People from every corner of the earth, of every nation and race. Generations of people. God's revelation, God's invitation is for all people of all times and places.
Saint Paul puts it so nicely:
"God had a secret plan, formed before all ages. And that plan is now revealed, and it is this; in Christ Jesus, the Gentiles, (people from other religious and cultural backgrounds and nations), are now CO-HEIRS with the Chosen people of Israel, members of one and the same body and sharers in the promise of God, through the proclamation of the good news…"
We are one big global human family!
What a treasure these wise men found lying in a manger.... a rare and perfect gift to the world....
As the poet, Godfrey Rust says:...
"grace, born out of deprivation, grace born of the endurance of the oppressed, grace born of the hardships of the poor, grace born of the forgiveness of the intolerable, grace borne in the dignity of silence, grace born ...... In the strength of his weakness he just lay there, (vulnerable, in need of food, clothing, shelter, protection… and loving care) ... Our gifts were tokens.
There was nothing more to do but leave the child to his own (journey towards the cross),
and return by different pathways to our own countrymen and women,
who seem such strangers to us now,
yet seeing them as if for the first time,
how they just lie there, needing to be loved."
(© Godfrey Rust, godfrey@wordsout.co.uk. See here for details of permissions for use. © Godfrey Rust, www.wordsout)
The journey of the wise men to find the Holy family and particularly the saviour lying in a manger is our journey too. It is our journey of life as well. It is our religious pilgrimage through life. Our journey to conversion, and beyond, is the same.
For, our journey of faith is not an easy one. It is filled with challenges, inconveniences, doubts, obstacles and stumbles. And how many important faith journeys have we heard critical, negative voices, and the 'prophets of doom,' or people who make fun of the rare path a person needs to walk along. The voices of doubt and negativity need to be ignored, endured, moved beyond!
The journey to conversion, the complete commitment of heart and head towards Jesus' good news, is a real odyssey. Like the journey of the Magi, the journey to find Christ is like a "death, and a rising to new life." And we, like the Magi, return home to where we came, but by a new way. 'Seeing things as if for the first time.' In the bible, a change of path symbolises conversion. And after encountering Christ, everything looks different, because Jesus invites us to see it all through his eyes. We now start to see the world around us through the 'lens' of the Good News. We now see life through the eyes of Christ's compassionate care for those most in need. We begin to have a vision for the inclusion of all.
As the Bible passage mentions: "Bethlehem, by no means the least of all the cities'' - Like Bethlehem, which, at first sight, seems slight and insignificant, and "lesser" – yet, here is where Jesus is born; humble, vulnerable, poor. So too, the poor and the forgotten may appear insignificant to some, but it is through them that the Lord's presence is revealed." (C) the first shall be last, the humble and the powerless have the power and glory of God shining from their hearts…. True greatness is in unmeasured love and service…..
The Wise Men realised the meaning of this great mystery.. this irony, That first Christmas; and it changed everything.
It changes everything for us too. Come let us worship!
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Homily (Fr Peter Dillon) -Epiphany Year C 2022
One of the unfortunate issues for middle aged Catholics, is that in our youth and childhood, we were not encouraged to ask questions about the Church, its commandments and its traditions. It was really only since Vatican II in the mid-sixties that we were finally encouraged, not just to ask questions, but to seek the answers for ourselves. Faith, scripture and its explanation were not just the domain of the clergy and religious. All believers were expected to come to an understanding of why we believe as we do. If we don't seek the answers then the foundation becomes weak.
These days we all come with many questions some of great importance, some of little consequence. Today's question might be: What does 'epiphany' mean? Generally it means a manifestation, a revelation, a showing, a direction for our search, an answer for our questions. The scriptures imply it's a search that everyone must make. Luke in his gospel, has the poor searching, in the form of the shepherds. Today Matthew has the learned and the rich searching, in the form of the Magi. There is room for everybody in this search, shepherds to academics and company executives.
The Magi are the three searchers who could not find the answer to their questions within their own culture. They were courageous enough to take a risk: to journey to another country in search of Christ. To help us understand the significance of their initiative. The gospel gives us two sets of wise men for contrast. The Magi, whom we know by the mysterious medieval names of Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar. And the second group, the ones when Herod calls in the scribes and Pharisees. He says: I need an expert opinion. They are talking of the birth of the Messiah, where is he to be born. These wise and learned men come up with the answer Bethlehem in Judea and they are right. But that is all they do. We hear no more of them. Their hearts do not follow their heads. They know where the Messiah is to be born, they see others heading towards him, yet they do not go. Why? Are they like us who say: I've got to take my faith more seriously someday? I've got to put more time into my family relationship someday. I've got to do more to help others less fortunate, someday.
The second group of wise men do nothing. They stay aloof from life, they protect themselves against risk. Suppose they had gone on the journey and had discovered the Messiah. Then what? What changes would they have had to make. They were already at the height of their careers, they held positions of power. They were wealthy. Risk all that? Better to talk, be learned consultants to the King. Do nothing.
The Magi take the risk of inquiry: Who knew what they might meet? The risk of searching, not finding, being sidetracked or lost.
That is why the gospel is so challenging. It's not just a pretty story that conjures up in our minds oriental kings floating over the desert sands on the way to Bethlehem. This gospel story is challenging us. Choose which kind of a wise man or woman you want to be. Are you going to play it safe like the consultant, the expert on all things religious but insulating yourself against the risk of true belief. Or the risk taker who allows the journey to Bethlehem to radically change you.
We are part of a community, a church, a caravan. The Magi do not travel alone. They are a like-minded community committed to the inquiry and action. That is why they are wise. They advise each other, encourage, support. We are in different spaces on this journey some are up front impatiently spurring on the camel; others are foot-dragging at the rear. Some are credulous, prepared to think that any star they see is the real thing. Others are doubters; they will not be convinced until they see the star coming down and pointing at the head of the Messiah himself.
It is not important where we are in the caravan, as long as we are on the march. As long as we have responded to the gospel and taken the risk. Let the certain encourage the doubters about faith, about God, about life, about love. Let the devout encourage the tepid and lukewarm believers. Let the young and innocent be an example of enthusiasm to the old and sinful.
This is a great feast of HOPE. Look at us all in this caravan. Children to octogenarians, teenagers, students, doctors, lawyers, Indian chiefs, everything we need for the journey is already here. Perhaps that is the greatest revelation/ epiphany of all.
Epiphany's promise: Wherever we are on this caravan, we will, every one of us, reach the goal of the journey; that is, we too will look into the face of the Messiah
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References:
prologue by Fr Paul W. Kelly
Homily by fr peter Dillon
A. One commentary –"365 Days with the Lord," asks rather relevantly.
C. From Gustavo Gutierezz, Sharing the word through the Liturgical year.
Poem - © Godfrey Rust, godfrey@wordsout.co.uk. See here for details of permissions for use. © Godfrey Rust, http://www.wordsout.co.uk
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Item ID:1224160396 - illustration of Epiphany (Epiphany is a Christian festival)- Contributor Designsoul
Epiphany of the Lord. Year C (Sunday, January 2, 2022) (EPISODE: 343)
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
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{{Joy and peace to everyone}}
my brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves tocelebrate the sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins.
Lord jesus, the nations of the world are drawn to your light. Lord have mercy.
You are the radiant star of justice. Lord have mercy
You are the first fruits of the nations. Christ have mercy.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13. "Lord, every nation on earth will adore you."
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Alleluia). Alleluia, alleluia! We have seen his star in the East; and have come to adore the Lord.
Memorial Acclamation
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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PREFACE: Epiphany
EP II
Communion side. pwk: RH
(theme variation: v5 )
(pre+post variation: v1-lshort)
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{thank you for your company as we have given thanks and praise to our God.}
Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.
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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
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Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)
"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.
Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).
Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.
Christmas Hymn - "Word Made Flesh" by Paul W. Kelly. Based upon: John's Gospel 1:14, 1 John 4:9 , & Isaiah 9:2, 6, 7.
(Written on 8/5/20; 10/9/20). Arranged and sung by Stefan Kelk, with adjusted lyrics. 2020. https://www.airgigs.com/user/stefankelk
Traditional hymn:
"We Three Kings," performed by the Bobby Cole Chamber Choir, licensed via Shockwave-Sound.com
( https://www.shockwave-sound.com )
Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.
Microphones: - SHURE MV5 usb
Editing equipment: NCH software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44
Sound Processing: iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor
[Production - KER - 2022]
May God bless and keep you.
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