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Catholic Church / Pacoima, CA

Light of the World

The Epiphany of the Lord

Dear brothers and sisters, this is a beautiful celebration because it is full of light: the light of a star that leads these wise men from the east to the gift of Mary, to the body of that little baby, the King of Israel.

visit-of-magi
The Visit of the Magi by Edward Burne-Jones

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” ~ Isaiah 60:1

These words of comfort and healing were for the Jews who were deported and who felt listless, for those who did not believe that God would restore the kingdom of David. The words were fully met as originated by Jesus. Jesus, who said: “I am the light of the world” (Jn 8:12), was born in Bethlehem, in the city of David and shine in Jerusalem as King, especially from the throne of the cross. But in this day of light there is also darkness.

What the liturgy presents us of this day is a land that has enough signs to get to where Jesus is because Jesus himself is enough of a sign that leads to God the Father, to the fullness of salvation, to the fullness of our realization of becoming better persons. That is Human Life; it is a darkness because there is pain, because there is treason, because there is sin and who among us could deny it? It is a night, but a night where there are signs: stars and, lights. If we let ourselves be guided, it will lead us to the greater light that is Jesus Christ.

From this we can draw a lesson for our time: the feast of the Epiphany is a celebration of hope for us Christians; Hope is not constructed in one closed dark night, hope is not needed in a paradise of delight; the world is not a paradise of delight or a closed black night. The World is what this scripture has said: The land covered with darkness, the nations wrapped in the evening, but the Lord will give light and glory from Jerusalem. To hope is not to deny evil, but to have hope is to defeat evil, because he who grants evil the last word has given up his capacity for good. Today more than ever we Christians have in the light of Jerusalem, Strength for Hope.

Brothers and sisters receive the abundant light of Jesus, tuck away all our being before the sun of Jerusalem. May the sun transform, beautify, and bronze throughout our lives. God Bless! Long live Christ of Light! Long live Christ King! Long live the Church!

Living God’s Word

Spend a few quiet moments in prayer, thanking God for calling us to be part of God’s holy family, for giving us at baptism and at confirmation the gift of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit has been poured into our hearts and dwells within us, binding us together.

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Readings for the Week

Monday: 1 Jn 3:22 — 4:6; Ps 2:7bc-8, 10-12a; Mt 4:12-17, 23-25
Tuesday: 1 Jn 4:7-10; Ps 72:1-4, 7-8; Mk 6:34-44
Wednesday: 1 Jn 4:11-18; Ps 72:1-2, 10, 12-13; Mk 6:45-52
Thursday: 1 Jn 4:19 — 5:4; Ps 72: 1-2, 14, 15bc, 17; Lk 4:14-22a
Friday: 1 Jn 5:5-13; Ps 147:12-15, 19-20; Lk 5:12-16
Saturday: 1 Jn 5:14-21; Ps 149:1-6a, 9b; Jn 3:22-30
Sunday: Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Is 55:1-11; Ps 29:1-4, 3, 9-10 or Is 12:2-3, 4bcd-6; Acts 10:34-38 or 1 Jn 5:1-9; Mk 1:7-11

“All kings shall pay him homage, all nations shall serve him.” — Psalm 72:11

Saints & Special Observances

Sunday: The Epiphany of the Lord; National Migration Week
Monday: St. John Neumann
Tuesday: St. André Bessette
Wednesday: St. Raymond of Penyafort; Julian Calendar Christmas

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