STEADFAST SEEKERS
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Gather as a family/ community; create an environment appropriate for prayer (dress appropriately - switch off your phones...).
We are conscious that Christ is present not only in the Blessed Sacrament but also in the Scriptures and in our hearts. Even when we are on our own, we remain part of the Body of Christ.
Place lighted candles, a crucifix, and the Bible on a covered table. These remind us of the sacredness of our time of prayer and could help us feel connected with our local worshipping communities.
You may sing or play an appropriate hymn. For instance:
The Sign of the Cross
Greeting and Introductory Words
L: The Lord invites us to the table of his Word: let us bless him for his goodness.
A: Blessed be God forever.
L: We celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord. It is the Feast of the Magi, who steadfastly sought the Lord, and found him despite numerous difficulties. It is a Feast that challenges and invites us to seek the Lord constantly despite the difficulties and challenges we face today.
We ask the Lord to send us his star to guide us in our quest for him.
Penitential Rite
L: For the times we have faltered in this quest and have given up in the face of difficulties and troubles of life, we ask the Lord’s pardon.
Pause
L: Lord Jesus, Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations
into the peace of God’s kingdom: Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: Christ Jesus, you radiate your light on all the nations: Christ, have mercy.
A: Christ, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you will come in glory with salvation for your people: Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
A: Amen.
Gloria
Opening Prayer
L: Lord God of the nations,
we have seen the star of your glory
rising in splendour.
The radiance of your incarnate Word
pierces the darkness that covers the earth
and signals the dawn of peace and justice.
Make radiant the lives of your people
with that same brightness,
and beckon all the nations
to walk as one in your light.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
A: Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
Readings
The readings are those assigned for the day in the Lectionary.
Preferably use a Bible/ Lectionary for reading.
Reading 1 Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13
Response Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
Reading 2 Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.
Gospel Matthew 2:1-12
Reflection on the Readings
Use one of the following ways to reflect on the readings.
Lectio Divina
Imagine being in Jerusalem when “magi from the east” arrive. Or imagine being in “the house” when the magi “prostrated themselves and did him homage.” What are your thoughts and feelings?
Sunday Snippets
On 04 July 1952, Florence Chadwick attempted to become the first woman to swim the Catalina Channel. The water was numbing cold; there were sharks in the vicinity; the fog was so thick she couldn’t see the boats in her party. After 15 hours in the water, Chadwick asked to be taken out. Her trainer encouraged her to swim on; Chadwick managed another hour and then quit… just a mile from the shore.
Two months later Chadwick re-attempted the swim. A similar thick fog obscured the coastline. She steadfastly sought her goal and succeeded. Later she said she kept a mental image of the shoreline while she swam; she kept reminding herself that land was there.
The Magi, who journeyed from “the east” to Jerusalem to pay homage to the new-born king of the Jews, did something similar: they steadfastly sought their goal.
They faced tremendous odds: a long and arduous journey, cold weather, and lack of shelter; they lost sight of their guiding star, and had to seek directions from a sinister Herod.
They kept reminding themselves that the new-born king was somewhere ahead; allowed themselves to be guided by the star; were humble enough to seek direction and help; had faith to recognize the king “when they saw the child with Mary his mother.”
Then they “were overwhelmed with joy”. After their encounter with the new-born king, they were transformed: they “departed for their country by another way”.
Our life’s journey, too, is arduous. We face fearsome challenges and difficulties. We need to imitate the Magi in steadfastly seeking our goal: God! We need to keep a mental image of the times God has been with us and remind ourselves that he is with us. We need to allow ourselves to be guided by Christ’s light and seek direction from others. We need to have faith to recognize our king in the mundane and the ordinary; all too often we want to see him in the spectacular and the extraordinary. Our encounters with him ought to transform us and make us courageous to resist the “herods” of today.
Will I steadfastly seek the Lord despite the challenges I face? Will I allow myself to be transformed after my encounters with him?
Questions to Ponder
Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:
Reading 1: “See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines.” Am I aware of God’s light and glory in my life despite the darkness around?
Reading 2: “The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” Am I aware of the depth/ profundity of this great mystery? What are the practical implications of this mystery in my life?
Gospel: Who/what helped guide me to Jesus? What are the ways in which I can worship Jesus? What gifts can I offer him today?
What people, places, or things turn me away from the Lord? How can I find another way so that I can avoid these?
The Creed
Prayer of the Faithful
L: The Feast of the Epiphany proclaims that the child Jesus belongs to and is given to the whole world as Saviour. On this day when peoples from afar came to worship the Lord, we pray for the world and all peoples: Lord, hear our prayer.
R: For the Church: that we may be a light to those searching for direction and illuminate their path through our words and deeds of compassion and justice, we pray…
R: For all peoples on the earth: that God may heal the wounds of racism, open hearts, and help us work together against poverty and violence, we pray…
R: For a total end to covid: that God may heal those who are sick and help the human family develop immunity, we pray…
R: For all who are seekers: that God may lead those confused or searching for a new beginning to a new path filled with meaning and purpose, we pray…
R: For migrants and refugees: that God may help them to establish new lives and experience justice and respect in their new homeland, we pray…
R: For ourselves: that God’s Light may guide us into the uncharted future, calm our fears, and help us to trust his love and care for us, we pray…
L: God of all nations, peoples and cultures, this is the day you have made bright with your light and your love for all. Let your light shine everywhere, that all peoples may praise you in their own language and enrich your Church with their own gifts. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord.
A: Amen.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
The Lord’s Prayer
Spiritual Communion
A: Jesus, I know and believe in your real presence in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. It is you I desire to love and receive above all things. As I am unable to receive your sacramental presence now, come and be with me in heart and soul. Let my entire self be united with you as I welcome you again and know your loving embrace. Amen.
Post Spiritual Communion Reflection
Lord, the magi followed the star from far away,
which led them through the darkness
to the tiny yet powerful light of Christ.
They let nothing discourage them from their quest.
Sometimes we grow discouraged in our search for you.
But the truth is that
we find you not because we search for you
but because you choose
to reveal your splendour and presence to us.
Lord,
shine your light on us all.
May your star chase away every darkness
and fill us with your radiant light.
Make us your epiphanies
overflowing with love and wonderful care for each other.
CONCLUDING RITE
Concluding Prayer
L: Guide us always and everywhere, Lord,
by your light from on high,
that we may discern with clear minds
and treasure with deep affection
the mystery you have given us to share.
Through Christ our Lord.A: Amen.
Blessing
L: The Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and lead us to everlasting life.
A: Amen.
L: Go in the peace of Christ.
A: Thanks be to God.
Conclude with a hymn. For instance:
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