Sacred Search

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, today, The Epiphany of the Lord, remind us that the mission to share the blessings of Jesus' birth continues for all who have witnessed the Presence of God on their journey. 

The Heavens Proclaim

The Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah proclaims the Dawning of Divine Glory for Zion and the expectation that the Nations will Come to Zion.

* [60:1–9] The light the prophet proclaims to Zion symbolizes the blessing to come to her: the glory of the Lord, the return of her children, the wealth of nations who themselves will walk by her light. The passage is famous from its use in the Latin liturgy for the feast of Epiphany. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 60 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 72 declares the Israelite king, as the representative of God, is the instrument of divine justice.

* [Psalm 72] A royal Psalm in which the Israelite king, as the representative of God, is the instrument of divine justice (Ps 72:1–4, 12–14) and blessing (Ps 72:5–7, 15–17) for the whole world. The king is human, giving only what he has received from God. Hence intercession must be made for him. The extravagant language is typical of oriental royal courts.

* [72:2] The king’s son: the crown prince is the king’s son; the prayer envisages the dynasty.

* [72:8] From sea to sea…the ends of the earth: the boundaries of the civilized world known at the time: from the Mediterranean Sea (the western sea) to the Persian Gulf (the eastern sea), and from the Euphrates (the river) to the islands and lands of southwestern Europe, “the ends of the earth.” The words may also have a mythic nuance—the earth surrounded by cosmic waters, hence everywhere. (Psalms, PSALM 72 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from the Letter to the Ephesians reflects on Paul’s Commission to Preach God’s Plan.

* [3:1–13] Paul reflects on his mission to the Gentiles. He alludes to his call and appointment to the apostolic office (Eph 3:2–3) and how his insight through revelation, as well as that of the other apostles and charismatic prophets in the church (Eph 3:4–5), has deepened understanding of God’s plan of salvation in Christ. Paul is the special herald (Eph 3:7) of a new promise to the Gentiles (Eph 3:6): that the divine plan includes them in the spiritual benefits promised to Israel. Not only is this unique apostolic role his; Paul also has been given the task of explaining to all the divine plan of salvation (Eph 3:8–9), once hidden. Through the church, God’s plan to save through Christ is becoming manifest to angelic beings (Eph 3:10; cf. Eph 1:21), in accord with God’s purpose (Eph 3:11). The fulfillment of the plan in Christ gives the whole church more confidence through faith in God (Eph 3:12). The readers of this letter are also thereby encouraged to greater confidence despite Paul’s imprisonment (Eph 3:13).

* [3:1] A prisoner of Christ: see Introduction. Paul abruptly departs from his train of thought at the end of Eph 3:1 leaving an incomplete sentence.

* [3:2] Stewardship: the Greek is the same term employed at Eph 1:10 for the plan that God administers (Col 1:25) and in which Paul plays a key role.

* [3:3–4] The mystery: God’s resolve to deliver Gentiles along with Israel through Christ; cf. notes on Eph 1:10; 3:9. (Ephesians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew proclaims The Visit of the Magi.

* [2:1–12] The future rejection of Jesus by Israel and his acceptance by the Gentiles are retrojected into this scene of the narrative.

* [2:1] In the days of King Herod: Herod reigned from 37 to 4 B.C. Magi: originally a designation of the Persian priestly caste, the word became used of those who were regarded as having more than human knowledge. Matthew’s magi are astrologers.

* [2:2] We saw his star: it was a common ancient belief that a new star appeared at the time of a ruler’s birth. Matthew also draws upon the Old Testament story of Balaam, who had prophesied that “A star shall advance from Jacob” (Nm 24:17), though there the star means not an astral phenomenon but the king himself.

* [2:4] Herod’s consultation with the chief priests and scribes has some similarity to a Jewish legend about the child Moses in which the “sacred scribes” warn Pharaoh about the imminent birth of one who will deliver Israel from Egypt and the king makes plans to destroy him.

* [2:11] Cf. Ps 72:10, 15; Is 60:6. These Old Testament texts led to the interpretation of the magi as kings. (Matthew, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. Rashmi Fernando, SJ, comments that Paul, in the Letter to the Ephesians, further proclaims the heart of the Epiphany mystery—the Gentiles (foreigners) are “coheirs, members of the same body”—revealing God’s saving plan has no ethnic, cultural, linguistic, religious, or any other boundaries whatsoever.

The Gospel brings this revelation into a concrete, human story as the Magi, foreigners, guided by a star, search for that light with courage, humility, and perseverance. Herod, by contrast, feels threatened by the same light and responds with fear and deceit. When the Magi finally encounter God’s revelation, their journey culminates not in power or certainty, but in humility and vulnerability. They offer their treasures and then return home “by another way”—a powerful transformation from darkness to grace, from exclusion to inclusion, and from fear to freedom.

Hence, let us ask ourselves:

1.    Having celebrated the birth of Christ, am I willing to be led by His light and revelation in the New Year 2026?
2.    Like the Magi, what “treasures” am I called to surrender, perhaps the things I find difficult to let go?
3.    In my lifework and in the world today, what does it mean for me to “return by another way”, and what must I do to “take a new road” in 2026? (Fernando, 2026)

 

Don Schwager quotes “The glory of Christ's divinity is revealed,” by Chromatius (died 406 AD).

"Let us now observe how glorious was the dignity that attended the King after his birth, after the magi in their journey remained obedient to the star. For immediately the magi fell to their knees and adored the one born as Lord. There in his very cradle they venerated him with offerings of gifts, though Jesus was merely a whimpering infant. They perceived one thing with the eyes of their bodies but another with the eyes of the mind. The lowliness of the body he assumed was discerned, but the glory of his divinity is now made manifest. A boy he is, but it is God who is adored. How inexpressible is the mystery of his divine honor! The invisible and eternal nature did not hesitate to take on the weaknesses of the flesh on our behalf. The Son of God, who is God of the universe, is born a human being in the flesh. He permits himself to be placed in a manger, and the heavens are within the manger. He is kept in a cradle, a cradle that the world cannot hold. He is heard in the voice of a crying infant. This is the same one for whose voice the whole world would tremble in the hour of his passion. Thus he is the One, the God of glory and the Lord of majesty, whom as a tiny infant the magi recognize. It is he who while a child was truly God and King eternal. To him Isaiah pointed, saying, 'For a boy has been born to you; a son has been given to you, a son whose empire has been forged on his shoulders (Isaiah 9:6).'" (excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 5:1)

[Note: Chromatius was an early Christian scholar and bishop of Aquileia, Italy. He was a close friend of John Chrysostom and Jerome. He died in 406 AD. Jerome described him as a "most learned and most holy man."] (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 2:1-12 comments that God's desire is that everyone would seek him, and that in their seeking, they would all find him. As St. Paul proclaims in our second reading, “The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body” (Ephesians 3:6).

Even now, Jesus is the “true light, which enlightens everyone” (John 1:9). That includes you. No matter who you are or what you have done, his light is shining upon you. It’s shining upon the people you love. It’s shining upon everyone. Jesus draws to himself all who are seeking truth and goodness, everyone who recognizes their longing for meaning, everyone who is searching for answers to their deepest questions.

Rejoice and be glad! Jesus your light has come!

“Thank you, Jesus! Your light is always leading me closer to you.” (Meditation on Matthew 2:1-12, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that 3rd Isaiah, written after the exile in Babylon, declares the light that is coming upon the people. The caravans are foretold to pay homage to a new born king. The message of mercy and love is revealed to Gentiles as coheirs. The Magi are not Jews. They were likely astronomers, perhaps from Persia. In Matthew’s Gospel the Magi received a message of the birth of a King for the Jews. The star of Bethlehem has been suggested as a super nova or a comet. What was the “Star”, an event in 7 BCE when Jupiter and Saturn were aligned in Pisces, interpreted as “A King is Born for all time”? God ‘s plan is in the time log. The Magi quote Micah who hated the politics of city life. Descendants in the line of David were present in a small town, Bethlehem. Micah indicated the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem and Magi brought gifts of gold for a king, frankincense to be offered to God, and myrrh for anointing dead bodies. They had to bring small precious gifts while travelling. Friar Jude notes that they returned by a different path responding to the dream of Herod’s intention to kill the child.

CAC faculty member Brian McLaren introduces the 2026 Daily Meditations theme: “Good News for a Fractured World.” Across every traditional Christian denomination, there are widespread calls for change. Imaginative scholars, liturgists, organizers, networkers, and pastors are creating resources and spaces for beautiful new things to be born….

These redeemers of Christianity are out there, by the hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands. Catholic and Protestant, Pentecostal and Mainline, Eastern Orthodox and other … I know them. Some are heads of communions, bishops, seminary presidents, and professors, with well-known names, with best-selling books and big platforms. Some are pastors and church planters, leading and forming faith communities of all shapes, sizes, and denominations. Some are nuns, friars, Catholic workers, organizing for the common good. Some are podcasters, publishers, bloggers, producing creative content to help in the transition process. Some are artists, integrating needed truth with arresting beauty. Most are quiet people, living ordinary lives of extraordinary love and grace. When they’re attacked, they keep moving forward with humble, gracious confidence. When they’re discouraged, they find new inner strength. When they think about leaving Christianity, which probably happens quite often, they say, “Not today. Not me.” You know this is true, because there’s a good chance that you’re one of them….

It will never be perfect. Of course. It’s a human enterprise, and we humans complicate everything. But at least this emerging Christianity could become humble and teachable, curious and self-critical, creative and humane, diverse and harmonious. [2] (McLaren, n.d.)

We reflect on the “Epiphany” of the Magi and ponder our own understanding of the revelation of the Love of God through the people and events in our journey.

References

Ephesians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/3?2 

Fernando, R. (2026, January 4). Daily Reflection January 4, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-january-4-2026 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 60 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/60?1 

Matthew, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/2?1 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC.org. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/falling-apart-coming-together/ 

Meditation on Matthew 2:1-12. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/01/04/1464912/ 

Psalms, PSALM 72 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/72?1 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). They Fell down and Worshiped Jesus. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Messiah by God’s Will

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with the theme of restoration of faith in God’s Plan and our acceptance of Jesus' Way to truth, goodness, and compassion.

Prepared for Life

The reading from the Book of Micah proclaims the Ruler from Bethlehem.

* [5:1–6] Salvation will come through a “messiah,” an anointed ruler. The Book of Micah shares with Isaiah the expectation that God will deliver Israel through a king in the line of David. Bethlehem-Ephrathah is the home of the Davidic line.

* [5:2] These words are sometimes understood as a reference to Isaiah’s Emmanuel oracle, given some thirty years earlier (Is 7:14). The Gospel of Matthew reports that the chief priests and scribes cite this passage as the ancient promise of a messiah in the line of David to be born in Bethlehem (Mt 2:5–6).

* [5:4] Peace: he will not only symbolize but also bring about harmony and wholeness. (Micah, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 80 is a prayer for Israel’s Restoration.

* [Psalm 80] A community lament in time of military defeat. Using the familiar image of Israel as a vineyard, the people complain that God has broken down the wall protecting the once splendid vine brought from Egypt (Ps 80:9–14). They pray that God will again turn to them and use the Davidic king to lead them to victory (Ps 80:15–19). (Psalms, PSALM 80 | USCCB, n.d.)

The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews declares that by God’s will, One Sacrifice instead of many.

Christ, therefore, is here shown to understand his mission in terms of Ps 40:5–7, cited according to the Septuagint (Heb 10:5–7). Jesus acknowledged that the Old Testament sacrifices did not remit the sins of the people and so, perceiving the will of God, offered his own body for this purpose (Heb 10:8–10).

* [10:5–7] A passage from Ps 40:7–9 is placed in the mouth of the Son at his incarnation. As usual, the author follows the Septuagint text. There is a notable difference in Heb 10:5 (Ps 40:6), where the Masoretic text reads “ears you have dug for me” (“ears open to obedience you gave me,” NAB), but most Septuagint manuscripts have “a body you prepared for me,” a reading obviously more suited to the interpretation of Hebrews.

* [10:8] Sacrifices and offerings, holocausts and sin offerings: these four terms taken from the preceding passage of Ps 40 (with the first two changed to plural forms) are probably intended as equivalents to the four principal types of Old Testament sacrifices: peace offerings (Lv 3, here called sacrifices); cereal offerings (Lv 2, here called offerings); holocausts (Lv 1); and sin offerings (Lv 4–5). This last category includes the guilt offerings of Lv 5:14–19. (Hebrews, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Mary Visits Elizabeth.

* [1:43] Even before his birth, Jesus is identified in Luke as the Lord.

* [1:45] Blessed are you who believed: Luke portrays Mary as a believer whose faith stands in contrast to the disbelief of Zechariah (Lk 1:20). Mary’s role as believer in the infancy narrative should be seen in connection with the explicit mention of her presence among “those who believed” after the resurrection at the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:14). (Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Suzanne Braddock comments that coincidence for her lay in the words of call and response in  Psalm 80: “Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.” She asks, “if that is what it takes to be saved, how do we see God’s face?”

The closing words of the gospel are an invitation to us all: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” We may not see  the face of God in the way we imagined, but surely we will see God in this life and the next: Believe and we will see what some have called “Reality with a face”, God, in every person, even in all of creation. What joy. (Braddock, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “John prophecies from the womb,” by Maximus of Turin (died between 408-423 AD).

"Not yet born, already John prophesies and, while still in the enclosure of his mother's womb, confesses the coming of Christ with movements of joy - since he could not do so with his voice. As Elizabeth says to holy Mary, 'As soon as you greeted me, the child in my womb exulted for joy.' John exults, then, before he is born. Before his eyes can see what the world looks like, he can recognize the Lord of the world with his spirit. In this regard, I think that the prophetic phrase is appropriate: 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you came forth from the womb I sanctified you' (Jeremiah 1:5). Thus we ought not to marvel that after Herod put him in prison, he continued to announce Christ to his disciples from his confinement, when even confined in the womb he preached the same Lord by his movements." (excerpt from SERMON 5.4) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 1:39-45 comments that when Elizabeth praised Mary for believing what the Lord said to her (Luke 1:45), Zechariah’s own faith might have been buoyed up and his anticipation kindled. Any regret at his own response to his heavenly messenger likely faded when he observed Mary’s wholehearted surrender to the Lord’s will.

Today, just a few days before Christmas, place yourself in the scene of the Visitation as a silent presence like Zechariah. Take some time to slow down your thoughts. Imagine Mary entering your house carrying Jesus in her womb. How does your heart respond to the sound of her greeting? Do you recognize Jesus in her? Can you praise God for Mary’s faithful response to his word to her?

“Lord, help me to listen to what you’re saying to me today.” (Meditation on Luke 1:39-45, n.d.)

Franciscan Media reflects on the Gospel and notes that it precedes the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). Mary herself—like the Church—traces all her greatness to God.

One of the invocations in Mary’s litany is “Ark of the Covenant.” Like the Ark of the Covenant of old, Mary brings God’s presence into the lives of other people. As David danced before the Ark, John the Baptist leaps for joy. As the Ark helped to unite the 12 tribes of Israel by being placed in David’s capital, so Mary has the power to unite all Christians in her son. At times, devotion to Mary may have occasioned some divisiveness, but we can hope that authentic devotion will lead all to Christ and therefore, to one another. (Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler contrasts the spiritual influences of Micah and Isaiah, with whom he was a contemporary. In Hebrews, the theme of obedience to God is lived by Christ who consecrated Himself and the world to the Father once and for all times. The Roman Catholic celebration of the Mass is a REpresenting of Jesus Cross and Resurrection through spiritual entry into eternity. Friar Jude reminds us of the response of the Baptist in Elizabeth’s womb that recognized the Word carried by Mary.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares what Christ’s incarnation offers to all humanity.

Jesus walked, enjoyed, and suffered the entire human journey, and he told us that we could and should do the same. His life exemplified the unfolding mystery in all of its stages—from a hidden, divine conception, to a regular adult life full of love and problems, punctuated by a few moments of transfiguration and enlightenment, and all leading to glorious ascension and final return. As Hebrews 4:15 states, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but we have one who was like us in every way, experienced every temptation, and never backtracked” (my translation). Jesus’ life reveals that we don’t need to be afraid of the depths and breadths of our own lives, of what this world offers us or asks of us. We are given permission to become intimate with our own experiences, learn from them, and allow ourselves to descend to the depth of things, even our mistakes, before we try too quickly to transcend it all in the name of some idealized purity or superiority. God hides in the depths—even the depths of our sins—and is not seen as long as we stay on the surface of anything. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We ponder how the visit of Mary to Elizabeth made Jesus present and seek the guidance of the Spirit to seek opportunities to be agents of “Visitation” on our journey.

References

Braddock, S. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/122224.html 

Hebrews, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/10?5 

Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1?38 

Meditation on Luke 1:39-45. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/12/22/1156918/ 

Micah, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/micah/5?1 

Psalms, PSALM 80 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/80?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Why Incarnation Matters. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/why-incarnation-matters/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Joyful Anticipation of the Messiah. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=dec22 

Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (n.d.). Franciscan Media. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/visitation-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary/