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In this first Sunday of 2013 we recall the Magi
who went to Bethlehem to pay homage to the New Born King of the Jews.
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The story is laced with irony:
o
Pagan wise men, who do not know the prophecies
but who know how to read the signs of nature, of the skies find the King of the
Jews.
o
His people, his king Herod and the Scribes, who
supposedly know about the true God and the prophecies fear that this king might
take away their power. They look for
ways to eliminate him.
o
Does that ever happen in our life?
FIRST
READING – Is 60:1-6
«
This passage is taken from the book of the Third
Isaiah. It is full of optimism, joy and light.
«
The theme of light dominates the scene, the
glory of God is the light that enlightens the city of Jerusalem.
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The earth is covered with darkness, but the
glory of God shines upon the earth.
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This light is a lighthouse that leads the
nations toward Jerusalem.
«
Look with joy, with overwhelming happiness all
the nations come to you, the foreigners but also your children, those who were
once dispersed, now return.
«
They will bring to you the wealth of the
nations, caravans of camels bringing gold, incense and myrrh, and proclaiming the praises of God.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 72
LORD, EVERY NATION ON EARTH WILL ADORE YOU
This psalm is a prayer for a king or for the
crown heir.
The theme of justice is present in the petitions
for the king, so he will be able to govern with equity.
Like in the first reading the psalm mentions the
kings of foreign nations who will come to bring gifts to the king.
The justice of this King will be to take care of
the poor and marginalized, being like God whose justice is manifested through his compassion and mercy.
SECOND READING – LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS
Ø
The letter to the Ephesians, together with the
letters to the Colossians, to the Philippians,
and to Philemon, belongs to the group of
the Captivity Letters.
Ø
For those authors who believe that the letter
was written by Paul himself, the date of the letter has to be before his death,
before 67.
Ø
But for those who think it was written by
another person, probably a disciple of Paul, the date may be around the
80’s.
Ø
This letter has many themes that we find in the
letter to the Colossians.
Ø
It is a doctrinal and theological letter.
Ø
The first part (ch.1-3) is dedicated to the Church, which has
been prepared from eternity by God. There has been a progressive revelation
whose culminating point is the Incarnation of the Word of God.
Ø
In the second part what has been said in the
first about the Church is applied to the behavior of the individual Christian.
EPHESIANS
3:2-3a; 5-6
Ø
Paul says that the mystery hidden in God has
been revealed to him, and he announces it to us through his preaching. .
Ø
This mystery has been revealed to the Apostles
by the Spirit.
Ø
The mystery hidden in God and revealed now
is
o
that through the Good News, the Gospel, the
gentiles are coheirs, copartners in Christ Jesus
o
and members of the same body.
GOSPEL- Matthew 2:1-12
ü
Chapters 1 and 2 of the Gospel of Matthew and of
the Gospel of Luke are called the “The Infancy Narrative.”
ü
They are, according to an author, the summary of
Jesus’ life and of the evangelist’s theology.
ü
The verses we will read on Sunday give us the
synthesis of the theology of Matthew: there is a conflict between two
kingships: Herod and Jesus, between evil and good.
ü
Who
was Herod? He came from Idumea (Edom. South of Judea and near the dead
sea.) He was an ambitious and bloodthirsty man.
ü
We find at least 5 different scenes or settings
in this gospel.
o
The Magi have followed the star and arrive to
Jerusalem where they hope to find directions to find the New Born King of the
Jews.
o
Herod, the High priests and the scribes know
about the prophecy and look in the Scriptures to find the exact place, which is
Bethlehem.
o
Herod speaks to the Magi and inquire from them
about the exact time they had seen the star. He tells them that according to
the Scriptures he has to be in Bethlehem. He wants them to come back and tell
the exact place so he can go and adore him too.
o
The Magi continue their journey and see again
the star which they had lost when they arrived
in Jerusalem. .
o
The Magi arrive to the place where the holy
family lives, and find Jesus with his
Mother. Full of joy they offer him gold, frankincense and myrrh. Afterwards
they take another road to go back home as the angel had told them.
ü
There are many contrasts in these scenes,
o
The Magi do not know the prophecies of Israel,
but they know how to read the stars and search with an open heart without
ambition or power.
o
Herod and the priests know the prophecies thus
they fear, because they believe that this new born King is going to take away
their power, to change their life style filled with hate and lies.
o
The Magi found God without knowing him. The
leaders of the Jewish people do not find
or recognize him, in spite of having the information.
CLARETIAN CORNER
From the time I began to serve God until His Majesty deign to manifest the founding of the order, always saw a star in front of my forehead, and its rays
were pointed at my eyes, especially when I prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The rays were so bright that sometimes they hindered my sight, but they were always mellow. After our Lord had manifested to me the founding of the order, I did not see the star for five or six years in a continuous way. During these years, I saw only once or the other time. María Antonia París, Foundress of the Claretian Missionary Sisters. Autobiography 45
I always strove to mortify my sense of hearing. Thus, I took no pleasure in useless conversations or idle words. I couldn't abide or tolerate uncharitable conversations; if someone started one, I would either leave, change the subject, or frown in disapproval. I also disliked listening to conversations about food, drink, money, worldly things, or politics. I didn't care for reading newspapers and would say that I preferred reading a chapter from the Holy Bible, in which I would read the truth, to reading newspapers, which are ordinarily full of lies and trivia.St. Anthony Mary Claret, Founder of the Claretian Missionary Sisters. Autobiography 399. .
BIBLIOGRAPHY
CLARET, Antonio María. Autobiography.
PARIS, María Antonia. Autobiography
SCHÖKEL, Luis Alonso, La Biblia de nuestro Pueblo.
SAGRADA BIBLIA, Versión Oficial de la Conferencia Episcopal Española.
THE CATHOLIC STUDY BIBLE, Donald Senior and John J. Collins, Editors. Second edition
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CLARET, Antonio María. Autobiography.
PARIS, María Antonia.
Autobiography
SCHÖKEL, Luis Alonso, La Biblia de nuestro Pueblo.
SAGRADA BIBLIA, Versión
Oficial de la Conferencia Episcopal Española.
THE CATHOLIC STUDY BIBLE, Donald Senior and
John J. Collins, Editors. Second edition
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