Mass Reading: Sunday - 02nd February 2025

First reading
Malachi 3:1-4
The Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple

    The Lord God says this: Look, I am going to send my messenger to prepare a way before me. And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple; and the angel of the covenant whom you are longing for, yes, he is coming, says the Lord of Hosts. Who will be able to resist the day of his coming? Who will remain standing when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire and the fullers’ alkali. He will take his seat as refiner and purifier; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and then they will make the offering to the Lord as it should be made. The offering of Judah and Jerusalem will then be welcomed by the Lord as in former days, as in the years of old.

The word of the Lord.

________

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 23(24):7-10

Who is the king of glory? He, the Lord, he is the king of glory.

O gates, lift high your heads;
    grow higher, ancient doors.
    Let him enter, the king of glory!

Who is the king of glory? He, the Lord, he is the king of glory.

Who is the king of glory?
    The Lord, the mighty, the valiant,
    the Lord, the valiant in war.

Who is the king of glory? He, the Lord, he is the king of glory.

O gates, lift high your heads;
    grow higher, ancient doors.
    Let him enter, the king of glory!

Who is the king of glory? He, the Lord, he is the king of glory.

Who is he, the king of glory?
    He, the Lord of armies,
    he is the king of glory.

Who is the king of glory? He, the Lord, he is the king of glory.

________

Second reading
Hebrews 2:14-18
He took to himself descent from Abraham 

    Since all the children share the same blood and flesh, Christ too shared equally in it, so that by his death he could take away all the power of the devil, who had power over death, and set free all those who had been held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. For it was not the angels that he took to himself; he took to himself descent from Abraham. It was essential that he should in this way become completely like his brothers so that he could be a compassionate and trustworthy high priest of God’s religion, able to atone for human sins. That is, because he has himself been through temptation he is able to help others who are tempted.

The word of the Lord.

________

Gospel Acclamation
Lk2:32

Alleluia, alleluia!

The light to enlighten the Gentiles
and give glory to Israel, your people.

Alleluia!

________

Gospel
Luke 2:22-40
My eyes have seen your salvation

    When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

    Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:

‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,
just as you promised;
because my eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared for all the nations to see,
a light to enlighten the pagans
and the glory of your people Israel.’

    As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’

    There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.

    When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.

The Gospel of the Lord.

 

Mass Reflection: Sunday - 02nd February 2025

Mal 3:1-4; PS 24:7-10; HEB 2:14-18; LK 2:22-40 or LK 2:22-32

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, when Mary and Joseph brought their infant Son to the Temple in obedience to the laws of their Jewish faith. This is a beautiful, and in many ways, mysterious feast — and one that is filled with lessons for a stewardship way of life.

Our first reading, from the book of Malachi, includes a prophecy of the event we celebrate today. “Lo, I am sending my messenger [a reference to John the Baptist] to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek….” Our first lesson is contained in that verse, “the Lord home you seek.” Do we truly seek the Lord through the prioritizing of our relationship with Him above everything (and everyone) else in our lives? If we want to know Him and His will for our lives, we must spend time with Him in daily prayer, regular participation in the sacraments, and the study of our faith. Only in this way will be ready when he “suddenly appears” in our lives — perhaps through a new opportunity to serve Him or an unexpected difficulty or blessing He wants to entrust to us. This is how a steward stays “spiritually fit” for whatever God may be asking of him or her next.

Our second reading, from Hebrews, is a poignant lesson in why we should embrace the stewardship way of life as both a true privilege and a serious responsibility. It reminds us that our Lord “had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way” and further that “because He himself was tested through what He suffered, He is able to help those being tested.” What amazing intimacy our Lord desires to have with us, and what amazing humility and love He shows us in His incarnation and the suffering He chose to take on for us. Of course, we can trust Him with ourselves and our gifts! Truly, how can we have any hesitation to do so for a Savior who has done so much to prove His love for us?

Our Gospel passage from Luke, recounting the details of the Presentation of our Lord, teaches us a stewardship lesson through the example of St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother, the “Holy Parents.” Even knowing their Son was God, they still carefully observed the faith practices of their day bringing him to the temple “to present Him to the Lord just as it is written in the law of the Lord.” Later in the passage we read that, “When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to their own town of Nazareth.” The Holy Parents were good stewards of their child, teaching Him to live in obedience to the practices of their faith from his infancy and throughout His “growing up” years. Those of us entrusted with the care of children, whether our own children, godchildren, nieces, and nephews, grandchildren, or students, have a vital role to play in the faith formation of these young ones. We, like the Holy Parents, must steward these children well, forming them in the faith by both instruction and example throughout their lives.

What a privilege and high calling we have as Christian stewards. Let us take these stewardship lessons to heart and present our gifts and our young ones joyfully to the Lord.

Mass Reflection: Sunday - 26th January 2025

 

NEH 8: 2-4A, 5-6, 8-10; PS 19: 8-10, 15; 1 COR 12:12-30 or 1 COR 12:12-14, 27; LK 1: 1-4; 4: 14-21

Today’s Second Reading, from St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, picks up where we left off last week and continues with a similar theme. The message is that we are each unique in the gifts and talents God has given to us, and therefore, we all have different tasks to fulfill as members of the Body of Christ.

What is further developed this week is the truth that, though different in our roles, every single individual is equally important and needed in the Church, from the freshly baptized newborn to the teenager sitting reluctantly by his parents, to the elderly shut-in who can no longer attend Sunday Mass. “God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. If they were all one part, where would the body be? But as it is there are many parts, yet one body.”

What does this teach us as Christian stewards? It shows us that we all have equal dignity and worth in God’s sight, and that if God sees us as equally precious, we should view each other in this same light. It teaches us to humbly recognize our own gifts as well as the giftedness of every member of our parish family. And, while God designed us to be ultimately dependent on Him, it seems He has also designed us to need each other! This is part of the beauty and richness of a stewardship way of life. No one person can “do it all” in life — whether in family life or parish life. But God does not ask us to do it all. He simply asks us to share the gifts and talents we do have in the season of life we find ourselves right now.

And just what are we, as Christian stewards, aiming to achieve by sharing our gifts and talents? We are aiming to follow in the footsteps of our Lord, furthering with His grace the mission He began 2,000 years ago. He declares in the Gospel reading from St. Luke today what this mission is: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free….”

What a noble purpose! What great dignity has been bestowed upon us, modern-day disciples, that we are called to this same task.

In the week ahead, let’s take this mission to heart, examining the way we can use our gifts and talents for this mission and asking ourselves what it looks like in our unique circumstances to “bring glad tidings to the poor,” “liberty to captives,” “sight to the blind” and “freedom to the oppressed.”

It might feel uncomfortable at first. But the good news is you don’t have to do it all. Do your part, let your brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ do theirs, and know that the Spirit of the Lord is upon us all as we live out this stewardship way of life.

Mass Reading: Sunday - 26th January 2025

First reading
Nehemiah 8:2-6,8-10
All the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law

    Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, consisting of men, women, and children old enough to understand. This was the first day of the seventh month. On the square before the Water Gate, in the presence of the men and women, and children old enough to understand, he read from the book from early morning till noon; all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

    Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden dais erected for the purpose. In full view of all the people – since he stood higher than all the people – Ezra opened the book; and when he opened it all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people raised their hands and answered, ‘Amen! Amen!’ Then they bowed down and, face to the ground, prostrated themselves before the Lord. And Ezra read from the Law of God, translating and giving the sense, so that the people understood what was read.

    Then Nehemiah – His Excellency – and Ezra, priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people, said to all the people, ‘This day is sacred to the Lord your God. Do not be mournful, do not weep.’ For the people were all in tears as they listened to the words of the Law.

    He then said, ‘Go, eat the fat, drink the sweet wine, and send a portion to the man who has nothing prepared ready. For this day is sacred to our Lord. Do not be sad: the joy of the Lord is your stronghold.’

The word of the Lord.

________

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 18(19):8-10,15

Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life.

The law of the Lord is perfect,
    it revives the soul.
The rule of the Lord is to be trusted,
    it gives wisdom to the simple.

Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life.

The precepts of the Lord are right,
    they gladden the heart.
The command of the Lord is clear,
    it gives light to the eyes.

Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life.

The fear of the Lord is holy,
    abiding for ever.
The decrees of the Lord are truth
    and all of them just.

Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life.

May the spoken words of my mouth,
    the thoughts of my heart,
win favour in your sight, O Lord,
    my rescuer, my rock!

Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life.

________

Second reading
1 Corinthians 12:12-30
You together are Christ's body, but each a different part of it

    Just as a human body, though it is made up of many parts, is a single unit because all these parts, though many, make one body, so it is with Christ. In the one Spirit we were all baptised, Jews as well as Greeks, slaves as well as citizens, and one Spirit was given to us all to drink.

    Nor is the body to be identified with any one of its many parts. If the foot were to say, ‘I am not a hand and so I do not belong to the body’, would that mean that it stopped being part of the body? If the ear were to say, ‘I am not an eye, and so I do not belong to the body’, would that mean that it was not a part of the body? If your whole body was just one eye, how would you hear anything? If it was just one ear, how would you smell anything?

    Instead of that, God put all the separate parts into the body on purpose. If all the parts were the same, how could it be a body? As it is, the parts are many but the body is one. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I do not need you’, nor can the head say to the feet, ‘I do not need you.’

    What is more, it is precisely the parts of the body that seem to be the weakest which are the indispensable ones; and it is the least honourable parts of the body that we clothe with the greatest care. So our more improper parts get decorated in a way that our more proper parts do not need. God has arranged the body so that more dignity is given to the parts which are without it, and that there may not be disagreements inside the body, but that each part may be equally concerned for all the others. If one part is hurt, all parts are hurt with it. If one part is given special honour, all parts enjoy it.

    Now you together are Christ’s body; but each of you is a different part of it. In the Church, God has given the first place to apostles, the second to prophets, the third to teachers; after them, miracles, and after them the gift of healing; helpers, good leaders, those with many languages. Are all of them apostles, or all of them prophets, or all of them teachers? Do they all have the gift of miracles, or all have the gift of healing? Do all speak strange languages, and all interpret them?

The word of the Lord.

________

Gospel Acclamation
Lk4:18

Alleluia, alleluia!

The Lord has sent me to bring the good news to the poor,
to proclaim liberty to captives.

Alleluia!

________

Gospel
Luke 1:1-4,4:14-21
'This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen'

    Seeing that many others have undertaken to draw up accounts of the events that have taken place among us, exactly as these were handed down to us by those who from the outset were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, I in my turn, after carefully going over the whole story from the beginning, have decided to write an ordered account for you, Theophilus, so that your Excellency may learn how well founded the teaching is that you have received.

    Jesus, with the power of the Spirit in him, returned to Galilee; and his reputation spread throughout the countryside. He taught in their synagogues and everyone praised him.

    He came to Nazara, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day as he usually did. He stood up to read and they handed him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll he found the place where it is written:

The spirit of the Lord has been given to me,

for he has anointed me.

He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor,

to proclaim liberty to captives

and to the blind new sight,

to set the downtrodden free,

to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.

He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the assistant and sat down. And all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to speak to them, ‘This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Mass Reading: Sunday - 19th January 2025

First reading
Isaiah 62:1-5
The bridegroom rejoices in his bride

About Zion I will not be silent,
about Jerusalem I will not grow weary,
until her integrity shines out like the dawn
and her salvation flames like a torch.

The nations then will see your integrity,
all the kings your glory,
and you will be called by a new name,
one which the mouth of the Lord will confer.
You are to be a crown of splendour in the hand of the Lord,
a princely diadem in the hand of your God;

no longer are you to be named ‘Forsaken’,
nor your land ‘Abandoned’,
but you shall be called ‘My Delight’
and your land ‘The Wedded’;
for the Lord takes delight in you
and your land will have its wedding.

Like a young man marrying a virgin,
so will the one who built you wed you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices in his bride,
so will your God rejoice in you.

The word of the Lord.

________

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 95(96):1-3,7-10

Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.

O sing a new song to the Lord,
    sing to the Lord all the earth.
    O sing to the Lord, bless his name.

Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.

Proclaim his help day by day,
    tell among the nations his glory
    and his wonders among all the peoples.

Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.

Give the Lord, you families of peoples,
    give the Lord glory and power;
    give the Lord the glory of his name.

Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.

Worship the Lord in his temple.
    O earth, tremble before him.
Proclaim to the nations: ‘God is king.’
    He will judge the peoples in fairness.

Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples.

________

Second reading
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
The Spirit distributes gifts to different people just as he chooses

    There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit; there are all sorts of service to be done, but always to the same Lord; working in all sorts of different ways in different people, it is the same God who is working in all of them. The particular way in which the Spirit is given to each person is for a good purpose. One may have the gift of preaching with wisdom given him by the Spirit; another may have the gift of preaching instruction given him by the same Spirit; and another the gift of faith given by the same Spirit; another again the gift of healing, through this one Spirit; one, the power of miracles; another, prophecy; another the gift of recognising spirits; another the gift of tongues and another the ability to interpret them. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who distributes different gifts to different people just as he chooses.

The word of the Lord.

________

Gospel Acclamation
1S3:9,Jn6:68

Alleluia, alleluia!

Speak, Lord, your servant is listening:
you have the message of eternal life.

Alleluia!

Or:
cf.2Th2:14

Alleluia, alleluia!

Through the Good News God called us
to share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Alleluia!

________

Gospel
John 2:1-11
'My hour has not come yet' - 'Do whatever he tells you'

    There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus said ‘Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’, and they filled them to the brim. ‘Draw some out now’ he told them ‘and take it to the steward.’ They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from – only the servants who had drawn the water knew – the steward called the bridegroom and said, ‘People generally serve the best wine first, and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink; but you have kept the best wine till now.’

    This was the first of the signs given by Jesus: it was given at Cana in Galilee. He let his glory be seen, and his disciples believed in him.

The Gospel of the Lord.

 

Mass Reflection: Sunday - 19th January 2025

 

IS 62:1-5; PS 96: 1-3,7-10; 1 COR 12:4-11; JN 2:1-11

Today’s readings remind us of the amazing privilege we have and the serious responsibility it is to be good stewards of the gifts God has given us.

The second reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians shows us how personally God loves us and how uniquely He has chosen to create each one of us: “Brothers and sisters: there are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.”

While Paul is speaking here of spiritual gifts, we know that everything we have — intellectual gifts, material resources, even our personalities — all are undeserved blessings from above.

Everything we have, therefore, is intended to benefit those around us. Because God has made each one of us with unique and differing gifts, the parish family truly does need each of us. It’s a wonderful — and at the same time — sobering reality. Our parish family will be vibrant only when all members, young and old, share their gifts with the community. It will suffer if even one member holds back.

The Gospel reading, from John, recounts the familiar story of the wedding feast at Cana when Jesus launched His public ministry by performing His first miracle at his mother’s request. In the midst of the feast, the Blessed Mother noticed the wine had run out, which would have caused great embarrassment to the hosts. Our Lady pointed out this problem to her Son. Then, she gave the servants instructions that are equally applicable to us modern-day stewards. She says, “Do whatever He tells you.” Jesus gives the servants a simple and seemingly mundane task, telling them to fill some stone jars with water. They did what he told them to do — just as the Blessed Mother instructed. And Jesus used their obedience in the accomplishment of that simple task to perform His first miracle, turning that water into the choicest wine.

Our Lord didn’t have to include those servants in order to perform this miracle — He chose to. And today, 2,000-plus years later, He still chooses to include us in the performance of His miracles through our cooperation with Him in using the gifts and talents He has given us. What a privilege!

Let us take care to listen to our Blessed Mother. Let us examine our lives this week to see if we really are doing whatever He tells us and cooperating with God to make the best use of the gifts He has given us for the benefit of those around us. If we all take this call seriously, He will perform miracles in our families and our parish.

Mass Reflection: Sunday - 12th January 2025

 

What a treasure trove of stewardship lessons we find in our Gospel reading today on this feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
Today’s Gospel is one we read every year, so it is easy to lose sight of just how incredible it is that Jesus wished to be baptized in the Jordan River by His cousin, John. We just spent the last two weeks marveling at the fact that this Savior of ours was born as a baby in a crude stable for our sake, and now this! Stop and contemplate our Lord in all His perfection waiting quietly and patiently in line with a bunch of sinners (like us!) in order to “lead by example.” His love and humility in serving and self-giving are beyond all telling.

Certainly, the sinless Savior did not need a baptism of repentance! John himself noted that in comparison to Jesus, he was not even worthy to loosen His sandal straps. But Jesus humbly made Himself one with his people to draw us to Him and create a relationship with us so that we would be open to His teachings and influence.

In response, we should be filled to overflowing with gratitude to such a gracious God — an overflow that must express itself in our own giving back to God through our sharing of time, talents, and treasure. In fact, when we allow the words and actions of Jesus in the Gospel to enter deeply into our minds and hearts, we will be compelled to give ourselves to Him and others out of love for Him.

In addition to the gratitude that Jesus’ baptism should inspire, we can also study His actions at the Jordan River as a powerful example of the servant-leadership He displays time and again throughout His public ministry. We see in our Lord a style of leadership characterized by humility and leading by example.

As a servant-leader, we also see that Jesus leads by example. He doesn’t just tell the people they need to be baptized. He shows them how and does it Himself to teach them. To lead like Jesus we, too, must “walk the walk” and not just “talk the talk.” If we want those we lead at home, in ministry or at work to be generous and hard-working, then we must show them how to do this by demonstrating generosity and hard work ourselves.

And just in case there was any doubt about the extraordinary actions of Jesus that day at the Jordan River, we learn of the powerful affirmation of the Father who, immediately after the baptism, opens the heavens, sends the Holy Spirit upon Jesus in bodily form, and says audibly, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased.” Wow!

Mass Reading: Sunday - 12th January 2025

First reading
Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11
The glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all mankind shall see it

‘Console my people, console them’
says your God.
‘Speak to the heart of Jerusalem
and call to her
that her time of service is ended,
that her sin is atoned for,
that she has received from the hand of the Lord
double punishment for all her crimes.’

A voice cries, ‘Prepare in the wilderness
a way for the Lord.
Make a straight highway for our God
across the desert.
Let every valley be filled in,
every mountain and hill be laid low.
Let every cliff become a plain,
and the ridges a valley;
then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed
and all mankind shall see it;
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’

Go up on a high mountain,
joyful messenger to Zion.
Shout with a loud voice,
joyful messenger to Jerusalem.
Shout without fear,
say to the towns of Judah,

‘Here is your God.’

Here is the Lord coming with power,
his arm subduing all things to him.
The prize of his victory is with him,
his trophies all go before him.
He is like a shepherd feeding his flock,
gathering lambs in his arms,
holding them against his breast
and leading to their rest the mother ewes.

The word of the Lord.

________

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 103(104):1-4,24-25,27-30

Bless the Lord, my soul! Lord God, how great you are.

Lord God, how great you are,
    clothed in majesty and glory,
wrapped in light as in a robe!
    You stretch out the heavens like a tent.

Bless the Lord, my soul! Lord God, how great you are.

Above the rains you build your dwelling.
You make the clouds your chariot,
    you walk on the wings of the wind,
you make the winds your messengers
    and flashing fire your servant.

Bless the Lord, my soul! Lord God, how great you are.

How many are your works, O Lord!
    In wisdom you have made them all.
    The earth is full of your riches.
There is the sea, vast and wide,
    with its moving swarms past counting,
    living things great and small.

Bless the Lord, my soul! Lord God, how great you are.

All of these look to you
    to give them their food in due season.
You give it, they gather it up:
    you open your hand, they have their fill.

Bless the Lord, my soul! Lord God, how great you are.

You hide your face, they are dismayed;
    you take back your spirit, they die.
You send forth your spirit, they are created;
    and you renew the face of the earth.

Bless the Lord, my soul! Lord God, how great you are.

________

Second reading
Titus 2:11-14,3:4-7
He saved us by means of the cleansing water of rebirth

    God’s grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race and taught us that what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God, and all our worldly ambitions; we must be self-restrained and live good and religious lives here in this present world, while we are waiting in hope for the blessing which will come with the Appearing of the glory of our great God and saviour Christ Jesus. He sacrificed himself for us in order to set us free from all wickedness and to purify a people so that it could be his very own and would have no ambition except to do good.

    But when the kindness and love of God our saviour for mankind were revealed, it was not because he was concerned with any righteous actions we might have done ourselves; it was for no reason except his own compassion that he saved us, by means of the cleansing water of rebirth and by renewing us with the Holy Spirit which he has so generously poured over us through Jesus Christ our saviour. He did this so that we should be justified by his grace, to become heirs looking forward to inheriting eternal life.

The word of the Lord.

________

Gospel Acclamation
cf.Lk3:16

Alleluia, alleluia!

Someone is coming, said John, someone greater than I.
He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Alleluia!

________

Gospel
Luke 3:15-16,21-22
'Someone is coming who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire'

A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people, who were beginning to think that John might be the Christ, so John declared before them all, ‘I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Now when all the people had been baptised and while Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily shape, like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

 

Mass Reading: Sunday - 05th January 2025

First reading

Isaiah 60:1-6

Above you the glory of the Lord appears

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.

The word of the Lord.

________

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 71(72):1-2,7-8,10-13

All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.

O God, give your judgement to the king,

    to a king’s son your justice,

that he may judge your people in justice

    and your poor in right judgement.

All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.

In his days justice shall flourish

    and peace till the moon fails.

He shall rule from sea to sea,

    from the Great River to earth’s bounds.

All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.

The kings of Tarshish and the sea coasts

    shall pay him tribute.

The kings of Sheba and Seba

    shall bring him gifts.

Before him all kings shall fall prostrate,

    all nations shall serve him.

All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.

For he shall save the poor when they cry

    and the needy who are helpless.

He will have pity on the weak

    and save the lives of the poor.

All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.

________

Second reading

Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6

It has now been revealed that pagans share the same inheritance

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.

The word of the Lord.

________

Gospel Acclamation

Mt2:2

Alleluia, alleluia!

We saw his star as it rose

and have come to do the Lord homage.

Alleluia!

________

Gospel

Matthew 2:1-12

The visit of the Magi

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.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Mass Reflection: Sunday - 05th January 2025

Today we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. Epiphany comes from a Greek verb meaning “to reveal,” and all of the various events celebrated by the Feast of the Epiphany are revelations of Christ to all humankind. Epiphany is traditionally and actually on January 6, but a number of years ago the Bishops in the United States moved it to the Sunday that falls between January 2 and 8.    Of course, our readings on this solemnity all refer to the Epiphany as we know it — the time that the divinity of Jesus was revealed, made manifest, to the entire world, not just Israel and the Jewish people. The world is represented by the three magi — the wise men as most of us know them. They came from the east and were, like most of us, Gentiles.   In the First Reading from Isaiah the prophet speaks of what will happen centuries later after the birth of Christ. There are two strong references to the story of the Magi with which we are so familiar. Isaiah declares, “Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.” We often speak of the Light of Christ, and often He is portrayed in art sort of glowing or with a light on His face. In addition, we have the light of the star which led the Magi to Him so they could worship Him. The images we have of them are influenced by Isaiah, when he says, “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.”   Therefore, today we celebrate receiving God’s light. But there is more to it than that. The First Reading opens with “Rise up in splendor…Your light has come.” We are to do more than just receive the light. We are to share it and reflect it. In our terms it is as if the Lord said, “Rise and shine; your light has come.” That is what we mean when we say we are called. We are called to be disciples and to be the Light of Christ for those around us.   In his letter to the Ephesians, our Second Reading, Saint Paul speaks of the revelations which this day represents. Paul points out that it had been revealed to us; a revelation is an epiphany. What is revealed? Exactly what Isaiah speaks of in the fact that Christ and His Divinity are revealed to the whole world. And what is the key to this revelation? The fact that “the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”   Paul also says in relation to the divinity of the Lord, “the mystery was made known to me by revelation.” We need to appreciate that what we translate as “mystery” is from the Greek word, mysterion, used by Paul. For us a mystery may represent something dark or obscure or incomprehensible. However, that is not the meaning of mysterion. It is more accurately translated as a now-open secret, something originally hidden, but now revealed by God.   There are certain passages in Holy Scripture almost universally known, and certainly well known to even a lukewarm Christian. The story of the Magi, the wise men or the three kings, falls into that category. As Matthew shares it in today’s Gospel, they were “magi from the east.” At no time does Matthew tell us there were three of them nor does he indicate that they are kings. Most likely, according to scholars, they were astronomers or astrologers, thus their knowledge of and fascination with the star which led them. Who they were and how many of them there were is not important. What is important is that they represent all of us, and their actions suggest to us how we need to respond to Jesus Christ and what He is and represents.   Holy Scripture is filled with subtleties we sometimes miss. Matthew tells us that “on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother.” Joseph is evidently not present, and there is a reason for that. He was not, as we know, the true father to Jesus. They presented gifts to Jesus, not to His mother or His parents. When we give to Jesus today, we do not do it directly, but to the Lord’s people through the parish and other charities.   Finally, these visitors worshiped the Lord (“They prostrated themselves and did him homage.”). We, too, need to worship the Lord; we, too, need to acknowledge His holiness and His kingship. Worshiping is more important than the gifts, but we are reminded in this Gospel that both are significant.