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Lifelong Catechesis

Forming Catholic identity across generations
September 10, 2024
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Christmas

During the Christmas season from December 24th until the Sunday after Epiphany, we reflect upon the mystery of love that is made visible in the birth and early childhood of Christ.

Sunday Readings and Backgrounds

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Solemnity of the Epiphany

Reading I : Isaiah 60:1-6

Your light has come!

  • The showing forth of God’s glory is apparent in today’s passage from Isaiah.
  • All nations will walk by Jerusalem’s light, the glory of God within it.
  • The prophet announces to the people that even in the midst of darkness, they will forever be enlightened by the presence of God.

Reading II : Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6

We all share the same promise!

  • The earliest Christians, mostly Jews, struggled with the realization that even Gentiles are included in God’s plan of salvation.
  • Today’s letter points out that people in former ages did not understand that God’s mercy extended to all people.
  • Gentiles and Jews are one body in Christ.

Gospel : Matthew 2:1-12

They opened their coffers and presented him with gifts.

  • Matthew’s Gospel clearly demonstrates that all the prophecies of old have come to fulfillment in Christ.
  • As promised, Gentile wise men recognize Jesus as Messiah even when the Jerusalem sages do not.
  • The official priests and scribes quote the messianic prophecies that identify Bethlehem, the city of David’s birth, as the birthplace of the Messiah.  However, they do not follow their own wisdom.