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Tuesday, 19 March 2024
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EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

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epiphany2021For the Greeks, the word "Epiphany" was used to describe the manifestation of a god among humans.
The Epiphany is the manifestation of Jesus as the Messiah of Israel, Son of God and Saviour of the world.
Thus, God has come on earth for everyone - Jew and Gentile, east and west, every nation, creed and colour.

This great feast celebrates the adoration of Jesus by the wise men (magi) from the east. In the magi, the Gospel sees the first fruits of the nations, who welcome the good news of salvation, through the Incarnation.


"Herod was unable to worship because he could not change his own way of looking at things. His aim was to make others worship him.

The Magi experienced longing; they were all too familiar with, and weary of, the Herods of their own day. But there, in Bethlehem, was a promise of newness, of gratuitousness. There, something new was taking place.

“The Magi were able to worship, because they had the courage to set out. And as they fell to their knees before the small, poor and vulnerable Infant, the unexpected and unknown Child of Bethlehem, they discovered the glory of God,” 
                                                                               Pope Francis 2017

 

 
From the liturgy of today's Mass:

This Psalm was composed by King Solomon, and (breathed, as the Scriptures are, by the Holy Spirit) prophesied the coming of the Magi, hundreds of years later, to pay homage to the Messiah.


RESPONSORIAL PSALM
:                Psalm 71 (72)

Response
All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.

1. O God, give your judgement to the king,
to a king's son your justice,
that he may judge your people in justice
and your poor in right judgement.             Response

2. In his days justice shall flourish
and peace till the moon fails.
He shall rule from sea to sea,
from the Great River to earth's bounds.     R

3. The kings of Tarshish and the sea coasts
shall pay him tribute.
The kings of Sheba and Seba
shall bring him gifts.
Before him all kings shall fall prostrate,
all nations shall serve him.                        R

4. For he shall save the poor when they cry
and the needy who are helpless.
He will have pity on the weak
and save the lives of the poor.                   R

 

The Golden Carol Of The Three Kings Melchior,
Balthazar And Gaspar

(An Old English Carol)

We saw the light shine out afar,
  On Christmas in the morning,
And straight we knew Christ's Star it was,
  Bright beaming in the morning,
Then did we fall on bended knee,
  on Christmas in the morning,
And praised the Lord, who'd let us see
  His glory at its dawning.
Oh! Every thought be of His name,
  On Christmas in the morning,
Who bore for us the grief and shame,
  Affliction's sharpest scorning.
And may we die, when death shall come,
  On Christmas in the morning,
And see in Heav'n, our glorious home,
  The Star of Christmas morning.