A SURPRISING ENCOUNTER
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: Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, the feast of the manifestation of God to the magi, the gentiles. God drew these seekers to himself through a star.
God continues to manifest himself to us. He continues to draw people to himself through different signs. We pray that we may recognize these signs and respond to his manifestation.
Penitential Rite
L: For the times we have failed to recognize the signs of God’s manifestation among us, we ask his 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
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 there and ask: “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?” Or imagine being in “the house” when the magi “prostrated themselves and did him homage.” What are your thoughts and feelings?
Sunday Snippets
A religious sister, travelling from Chennai to Guwahati, got off at Kolkata. Exhausted after the long journey, she fainted. When she revived, she found herself lying on a bench. Her luggage was by her side. So was a porter, wiping her forehead with a damp cloth. He brought her a cup of tea and some biscuits, and waited till she had recovered. She thanked him and gave him some money; he brushed it aside, saying: “Sister, it is nothing. You would’ve done the same for me.” She had tears in her eyes because she knew that wasn’t true; and because she had encountered God in an unexpected place and person. A surprising encounter!
Today we celebrate a surprising encounter between Christ and the magi. This encounter involved two moments: God’s initiative and human response.
The magi’s coming to Bethlehem was a response to God’s initiative. It is not we who search for God, but God who searches for us and manifests himself to us; he draws us to an encounter with him.
God makes use of the most surprising ways to draw us to him! He drew the magi to himself by a star, something they understood, something that was part of their culture and religion, and therefore, part of their lives. This is what he does… uses parts of our lives to draw us to him.
Today’s Gospel presents three responses: Herod’s fear and hostility; the total indifference of the chief priests and the scribes; the adoring worship of the magi.
We can get so used to this story that we underestimate the faith of the magi. We take for granted that they saw what they were looking for. What did they see: A palace? Visible signs of power? They saw just “a child with his mother.” And they adored; no questions asked. The result: they were filled with great joy. Matthew is emphatic: “They rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”
God uses surprising, unlooked-for ways to draw us to himself: a star, a motley group of fishermen, the seemingly insignificant bread and wine…
How does he come to me today? Am I open to his surprising ways? Or am I so sure of the way God comes that I fail to recognize him when he comes in unexpected ways?
We need to discern the stars in our lives. Then like the magi, we can “rejoice exceedingly with great joy.”
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 racial bias, open hearts to every person, and help us work together against violence, drug abuse, and poverty, we pray…
R: For all who are seekers: that God may lead those confused or searching for a new beginning onto 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 we may learn from the people and experiences in our lives how to recognize God’s presence and invitations, 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 darkness to Christ.
They allowed a part of their lives to speak to them!
Lord,
you manifest yourself to me in manifold ways:
through ordinary events,
through my loved ones, a concerned friend or a thoughtful stranger,
and above all in the bread and the wine.
You search for me and reveal yourself to me
in surprising ways.
Lord,
help me recognize your unexpected epiphanies.
Make me your epiphany,
a sign and bearer of your love and care for all people.
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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