First Reading Commentary
There are images here such as darkness
covering the earth and the appearance of light which take us back all the way
to the creation story in the Book of Genesis.
Keeping the creation story in mind, Scripture tells us that the earth
was void and empty and darkness was upon the face of the deep (cf. Genesis 1:2). Void, emptiness and darkness are descriptions
that can be symbolic of sin. And Scripture
reveals next that the Spirit of God moved over the waters (cf. Genesis 1:2). The
Virgin Mary also had the Spirit move over her and when God said: "Let
there be light" (Genesis 1:3),
the greatest Light of all was now conceived in the Blessed Virgin Mary. And why?
To be the Occupant for that void, the Filler for that emptiness, and the
Beacon for that darkness which formerly plagued humanity. In Genesis, God saw that the light was good (cf. Genesis 1:4). To say that the Light conceived in Mary is good
would be an understatement. In Genesis,
God divided the darkness from the light (cf.
Genesis 1:4). That division of light
and darkness literally, prophetically and symbolically has forever remained in
tact.
The light prophesied here in this Reading
from Isaiah comes clothed with the glory of the Lord. The opening verse reads: "Rise up in
splendor, Jerusalem!" Actually, "Jerusalem"
is not included in the Hebrew text or Saint Jerome's Vulgate but is found in
the Septuagint. It could be assumed that
Isaiah is referring to Jerusalem or Zion as he probably sees it as the center
of religious knowledge and salvation.
Nations, which means Gentile nations, will
recognize the religious leadership of Jerusalem and shall come bearing gifts. It is upon Jerusalem that the glory of the
Lord shines while the thick clouds which cover the peoples probably is a
reference to Babylon.
Prophetically,
Jerusalem is the Church to which all nations shall come because the glory of
the Lord Jesus Christ shines upon her and through her comes the Light of Truth. Traditionally, three kings traveled on camels
bearing gold and frankincense, as mentioned in this Reading, as well as myrrh
which is not included here. They came to
see the Light and proclaim the praises of the Lord.
Second Reading Commentary
"You have heard of the stewardship of
God's grace that was given to me for your benefit." What Saint Paul is conveying here is that the
Ephesians have surely heard by now that by the grace of God, Paul has been made
their apostle. The mystery he mentions
is the divine plan in which Jews and Gentiles are to be united into one
faith. Paul states that he received this
information by revelation which most certainly means Jesus Christ. What is revealed in this revelation is the
redemption of humanity by Jesus Christ, the vocation of the Gentiles and the
command to proclaim the Gospel to them.
Both Saint Jerome and
Saint John Chrysostom suggest that this mystery was not entirely unknown to
previous generations as surely many of the Old Testament prophets understood
God's future plans. But now this mystery
has been revealed to the apostles who in turn have proclaimed it to everyone
they came into contact with. The
revealed mystery of Gentiles being equal partners in God's gift of salvation
was a scandal and the cause of many of the persecutions of early Christianity. Today, we continue to pray for this oneness. Although hopeful things are occurring as a
result of ecumenical dialogues, there is still a long way to go.
Gospel Commentary
Saint Jerome tells us that this city is
called Bethlehem of Judea, to distinguish it from another Bethlehem, which was
situated in the division of the tribe of Zebulon.
Both the Latin and Greek text signify the "Magi"
as wise philosophers and astronomers.
They came from the east; some say Arabia, others from Chaldea, and yet
others from Persia. Many interpreters
speak of them as if they were kings, princes, or lords of small territories. Their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh,
however, may confirm their Arabian origin because Arabia was renowned for these
items. The number of these wise men is uncertain. Pope Saint Leo the Great, in his sermons on
the Epiphany, speaks of them as if there were three, perhaps on account of
their three-fold offering (gold, frankincense and myrrh).
There are also different opinions as to the
time that the star appeared to the Magi, whether before Christ's birth, or
about the very time He was born, which seems more likely. The Wise Men found Jesus at Bethlehem, where
His Blessed Mother was to remain forty days, until the time of her Purification
was expired. And it seems more logical
that the Wise Men came to Bethlehem about that time, rather than within
thirteen days after Christ's birth; for if they had come so soon after Christ
was born, and been directed to go and make diligent inquiry at Bethlehem, it's
hard to fathom that so suspicious and jealous a ruler as Herod was, would have
waited almost a month for their return without searching for the newborn
King. But it is likely that being alarmed
by what happened when Jesus was presented in the temple at His Mother's Purification,
he then gave those barbaric orders for the massacre of the innocent
infants.
"We saw His star"; they knew it to
be His star, either by some prophecy among them, or by divine revelation. It is not known for certain whether it guided
them during the whole course of their journey from the east to Jerusalem. The Magi may have recalled the prophecy of
Balaam, which had announced the coming of the Messiah by the emblem of a star (cf. Numbers 24:17), which was to arise
from Jacob.
"When King Herod heard this, he was greatly
troubled" most certainly through fear of losing his kingdom, which he had
obtained by violence. But why was all of
Jerusalem alarmed at the news of a King so long and so fervently expected? Probably because the people, well acquainted
with the cruelty of Herod, feared a more afflictive slavery.
"And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah"
was a clear prophecy concerning the Messiah, foretold by the prophet Micah (5:1).
"And on entering the house" are
words in which several of the Church Fathers in their homilies, represent the
Wise Men adoring Jesus in the stable, and in the manger; yet others, with Saint
John Chrysostom explain, that before their arrival, Jesus may have been moved into
some small house in Bethlehem.
"Gold, frankincense, and myrrh" are
gifts in which the ancient Fathers take notice of their mystical meaning. Gold was signified by their tribute they paid
to Him as their King; by incense, because He is God; and by myrrh, (with which
dead bodies used to be embalmed) because He has also become Man.
"And did Him homage" which can be
translated to mean - they adored Him; therefore, in the Eucharist also, Christ
is to be adored. It is of no consequence
under what appearance He offers Himself to us, whether that of a perfect Man, a
speechless Child as in this Gospel, or under the appearance of Bread and Wine;
for in whatever manner or place our Lord appears, He is true God, and for that
alone He is to be adored. For certain
the Magi have left us an example to imitate.
We see Jesus today, not as the magi did, in a crib, but on the altar;
not His Mother holding Him, but the priest in
Persona Christi, and the Holy Spirit poured out abundantly upon the Sacrifice.
